Maja Stobaugh

I work with people who are used to pushing through — high-achieving, self-

aware, and often a little exhausted by how hard they work to keep things

together. My clients tend to be young adults navigating anxiety, identity

questions, major life transitions, or a complicated relationship with

substances. Many have been to therapy before and are looking for

something that actually moves the needle.

My background spans school-based mental health, community clinics, and

outpatient substance use treatment — which means I've worked with

people across a wide range of circumstances, not just the "easy" ones. I

trained at Loyola Marymount and hold certifications in EMDR and Seeking

Safety, a specialized approach for people managing trauma and substance

use together.

I'm direct, genuinely curious about your specific situation, and not

interested in giving you generic coping tips. Therapy with me is an honest

conversation — sometimes challenging, often illuminating, and always

focused on what's actually getting in your way.

I integrate several approaches based on what each client actually needs.

At the core, my work is attachment-informed and trauma-aware —

meaning I pay attention to how your history shapes your present, not just

what's happening right now.

For anxiety, I lean heavily on CBT and mindfulness-based strategies —

building real skills, not just insight. For trauma, EMDR is often part of the

picture when clients are ready. For anyone navigating substance use,

Motivational Interviewing and Seeking Safety give us a framework that's

honest, non-shaming, and effective. I pull from Psychodynamic and

Humanistic traditions when the work calls for deeper pattern exploration.

The first session is a real conversation — not a checklist. I'll ask about what

brought you in, what you've tried before, what's feeling most urgent, and

what you're hoping life looks like on the other side of this. You don't need

to have perfect answers.

I'll share my initial read on what I'm hearing and we'll talk about whether

working together makes sense. By the end of the session, you should feel

like you understand how I work and have a clear sense of what we'd focus

on. Most clients leave feeling like they've already made progress just by

saying the thing out loud.

Sessions are virtual throughout California. I offer availability including

evenings to work around full schedules. You can book directly through

Headway — I accept Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and Carelon.