Therapy has many benefits, but there can be multiple barriers to finding effective mental health treatment. For one, your in-person options might be limited. Finding an open appointment with a local provider can be challenging. You may be put on a waiting list or be unable to find a time slot that fits your schedule, and if you do find an opening, the commute can make it even more time-consuming. If you’re looking for a therapist in Santa Maria, CA, consider an online platform like BetterHelp.
BetterHelp providers are experienced with various aspects of counseling psychology and use a client-centered approach to help you experience growth. If you need support overcoming domestic violence, emotional abuse, or other traumatic events of the past, or if you want to learn to focus on the present and have more self-compassion, consider working with a therapist online.
Whether you need help prioritizing self-care or learning to manage the symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, therapy can help you feel heard and give you the tools you need to live your best life. Connect with one of the Santa Maria-based counselors below to learn more.

Rachel Fuller
Congratulations! It takes courage to ask for help. Hopefully we can work as a team to improve your perspective, way of thinking and overall approach to live. My name is Rachel Fuller and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor practicing in Southern California for the past 5 years. I grew up in the Philadelphia/ New Jersey and graduated with my Masters from the University of Pennsylvania. As a result I have the benefit of an East coast straightforward and honest approach mixed with SoCal creativity and compassion. Life has changed for everyone over the past few months on a small or large scale. As with any disruption, many people are experiencing any number of emotions : anxiety, loss, uncertainty or depression. It is essential during this time that we maintain human connection and communicate our thoughts, desires, needs and feelings. I hope to provide support for clients of any age who are struggling, want to learn more about themselves or simply need someone to listen. I don't have a "cookie cutter" approach to therapy- I value feedback and flexibility to find the best fit for my clients. I look forward to meeting you!

Elaine Pritchard
My heart’s calling is to work with people who are striving for a more joyous and fulfilling life, and to help them deal with the hard issues that stand in the way of happiness. I obtained an MA in Counseling of Psychology and a BA in Psychology, to better understand those I strive to help. I hold ANSA and CANS certificates, as well as an ACT Trainer certificate I use my innate qualities of humor, compassion, understanding, caring, and listening spirituality to work with men, women, individuals, teens, and families. My approach to mental healing is that I walk alongside my clients, and help them navigate the difficult path towards a healthier and more enjoyable life. I use theories from CBT, Motivational Therapy, to talk therapy. People say that I’m easy-going, empathetic, and look at things a little differently outside the box to find new paths to fulfillment. My areas of interest include trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, spectrum disorders (autism), codependency, betrayal, grief, life transitions, teen and women’s issues, and spirituality. I love going to movies and am a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox. My bucket list includes trips to places as far-flung as Australia and Dollywood.

Dr. Benjamin Lasky
I am a licensed psychologist in California and Nevada with over 20 years of experience. I specialize in LGBTQIA issues, my pronouns are ‘he and him.’ I also have worked over 10 years in a psychiatric hospital where I gained expertise with dual diagnosis patients (substance abuse issues + mental health disorder). I was also fortunate enough to work in the adolescent unit of the hospital as well. I earned my Ph.D. from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I am also an educator to graduate students and provide supervision as they pursue their licenses. This helps keep me motivated to stay current with emerging trends in therapy. I mainly utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques as well as client-centered therapy. One of my favorite parts of conducting therapy is seeing diversity and being able to help those in all walks of life. I make no judgments and work hard to see things from the perspective of my clients. I see myself as a facilitator and I help my clients gain insight so they can tap into their strengths. Therapy is serious business, but I always like to use a bit of humor as appropriate. It is very important that everyone I work with feels valued and respected and I fully bring that to each and every session. Thank you for your time and I hope to work with you. Licensed Psychologist PSY 19363 California, PY 0726 Nevada

Bianca Bannerman
I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, & anger management. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Chula Tran
I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & bipolar disorder. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Diane Wilson
I am licensed in California with almost seven years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, and codependency. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Audrey McDougal
I am licensed in California with 3+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem / confidence, & career difficulties. I specialize in using Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Ecotherapy approaches. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I am here to support and empower you in your journey!

Stephanie Blanco
Hello! Welcome to my page, I'm excited to share a little about myself. My name is Stephanie Blanco, and I'm a Bilingual Spanish speaking Licensed Clinical Therapist in California, Florida and New York, with 15 years of professional work experience serving a wide diverse range of communities. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, LGBT related issues, & relationship issues. I also have extensive experience treating depression & anxiety affecting the average person. Most of my professional career I have worked in the medical hospital setting. I have worked almost every unit in the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Trauma Service, ICU, Psych Unit, Mother-Baby/Obstetrics, Oncology, and COVID-19 unit during the Pandemic. I also have Managed the entire Social Work Department, trained and supervised Social Workers. I also have taught Health Education courses at a local community college during the evening. My work experience is extensive, and I feel confident I can help you. I hold 2 Master's degrees from USC and hold 3 active state licenses from California, Florida, and New York. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Please reach out if you would like to chat and start a session, Peace & Blessings, Stephanie

Monica Webb
I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Romie Nottage
Hello! My name is Romie and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Psychology has been my passion since a very young age, and I always knew I would end up in this work. For the past 8+ years I have been extremely active in Community Mental Health. I have mainly worked with individuals experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and/or substance use. I have worked in various settings, but mostly in San Francisco. Working within our communities have made me who I am today as a therapist, and as a person. In just the past few months, I have decided that after over a decade in Community Mental Health, it is time to start my own Private Practice. My training is mostly in complex trauma which has allowed me to learn so many things, and work with so many people. I am a true believer that we are all one crisis away from what we perceive as a really tough spot. All experiences are valid, and we all deserve spaces in our life that are a soft, and supportive places to land. What is therapy like with me? I beat to my own drum, and have a very fluid therapeutic style. First and foremost, I want to get to know you. Our connection is what informs me on how to support you best. Therapy is not a solo journey, it is a collaborative process, and while I have "skills" to support you, your experience is one that needs to be individualized and created for YOU. That is my approach. I utilize various therapeutic orientations, depending on the presenting issues and relationship we build. Some people like a more expressive and creative way to learn about themselves, others enjoy storytelling and narrative work. I almost always like to sprinkle in Gestalt work, and utilize Attachment Theory to ground myself in most therapeutic relationships. I am also a big proponent of Internal Family Systems (IFS), and love the fundamental teachings of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Overall, I would label my style as a Humanistic approach. I am currently in a stage of my career where I want to hone in on all of the amazing work I have done in the field, and continue to polish my own treatment modality that I created while receiving my Masters. It is called Transformative Recovery through Evolutionary Exploration, T.R.E.E. Work for short. This modality is a "smoothie" of various clinical orientations, and it's sole intention is to cultivate self-identity. T.R.E.E. Work was created when I worked with men re-entering into society after 25+ years of incarceration who were struggling with opiate dependence. However, throughout the years T.R.E.E. Work has been so helpful for anyone who has a desire to understand the beauty of their own individuality. It is restorative, and transformative. If I sound like a good fit for you, I can't wait to hear from you! I am here to support your growth in your own beautiful way.
Find a therapist serving clients in California
What types of therapists are available to clients in Santa Maria?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Santa Maria that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Santa Maria available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Santa Maria therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Santa Maria therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Santa Maria region and in the state of California.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Santa Maria can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Santa Maria may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Santa Maria offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.