Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Laguna Niguel, CA covered by Cigna

I’m Rachel Benjamin, and I help individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges to build more authentic, connected, and empowered lives. Together, we’ll identify the patterns and barriers that have been holding you back and work toward lasting change around your strengths and values. If you are thinking about starting therapy, or returning after some time away, but feeling unsure, you’re not alone. Taking that first step can bring up a mix of emotions. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time, it likely means you’re ready to begin exploring meaningful change.

There is always a path beyond what you're struggling with now. For 35 years I've had the privilege to help people like you look at their lives. I've helped them find ways to directly look at the pain, fear, anger, shame, depression, trauma, and other struggles that feel overwhelming. More importantly, I've helped people move beyond today's focus on pain and struggle to discover new ways to manage their lives, to suffer less, to feel more space, trust, and aliveness.

I completed my MA in Buddhist and Contemplative Psychology in 1992 and have added extensive training in mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, treatment of PTSD and complex trauma, Dialogue Therapy for couples, and addictions. But methods alone don't heal. We'll build a strong therapeutic partnership over time to help you feel like yourself again.

Demetric “Dee” Marsh, LCSW, JD, is a dedicated behavioral health professional with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She is a multistate licensed Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law School in New York. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, with a specialization in mental health and addictions, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in Sociology with a minor in Political Science and French Language/Culture.

Dee has extensive experience working in a variety of roles, including psychotherapist, program director, clinical supervisor, adjunct professor, and consultant. She also provides LCSW clinical supervision. Her practice includes working with individuals, families, couples, and groups.

She specializes in a wide range of areas, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, addictions, grief and loss, workplace and employment issues, women’s issues, diversity and cultural concerns, spirituality, and court-related assessments and recommendations, as well as foster care and adoption-related services.

Dee believes in meeting each client where they are and tailoring treatment to their unique needs. She is committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment that fosters trust, healing, growth, and a strong therapeutic alliance.

If anxiety, depression, or past trauma feels like a constant burden, you don’t have to carry it alone. I specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) therapy as a powerful, evidence-based approach to help you move past what’s holding you back — whether that’s past trauma, addictive patterns, or persistent emotional pain.

I hold a Masters in Marriage and Family therapy ( LMFT), my Doctorate in Social Work and specialized training in EMDR. Over my 13 years in practice, I have supported clients across a range of mental health and addiction settings — outpatient clinics, private practice, intensive treatment programs, etc.

My work is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and empowerment. I deeply believe in your capacity to heal and grow — even when it may feel impossible now.

I provide compassionate, strengths-based therapy to support individuals navigating life’s most difficult seasons, including trauma, major life transitions, and grief. My approach centers on helping clients feel seen, supported, and empowered as they work through emotional challenges and move toward healing and resilience.

I specialize in grief and loss, adjustment to terminal illness, and anxiety. Using process-oriented and compassion-focused counseling techniques, I help clients explore their experiences at a deeper level while developing practical tools for emotional balance and self-understanding. I am also trained in Brainspotting, an evidence-based trauma therapy that supports clients in processing deep emotional pain and unresolved trauma in a safe and supportive environment.

My goal is to create a therapeutic space where clients feel understood, respected, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.

Hi, I’m Mariam Ali, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #152315). I’m passionate about helping individuals, children, and families build healthier relationships and find peace through life’s challenges.

I hold a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and a bachelors in Psychology from Rutgers University. I have worked across schools, community organizations, and private practice, supporting clients through anxiety, life transitions, parenting challenges, and relationship concerns.

As a therapist my goal is to break the stigma that comes with therapy. I strive to create a collaborative, nurturing therapeutic relationship that can help transform one's pain or uncertainties into one of healing. Life can be difficult and sometimes confusing therefore I want to create a corner where one can feel safe, understood, and free of judgement.

Life is full of ups and downs, and I have learned from both personal and professional experience that 'suffering in silence' is not really sustainable or healthy for anyone. You deserve to feel heard and to function at your best level. I have 6 years' experience post-graduation from the University of Texas with helping folks do just that. From nonprofits, to medical clinics, to correctional facilities, to teletherapy, I have connected deeply and partnered with many clients and families to trudge through some of their darkest hours and find more validation, calmness, and acceptance. My fluency in Spanish has given me opportunities to break down walls and connect with hundreds of clients whose cultural background is different than mine. I would be honored to have the chance to see if working together is a good fit for your healing journey.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most vulnerable moments. My work has focused on caregiver burnout, aging and end-of-life issues, veteran support, adjustment to new or serious medical diagnoses, and family conflict. My background also includes working with foster children, foster/adoptive parents, and parents of children with ADHD, as well as helping immigrants and expatriates navigate culture shock and identity adjustment.

Life has a way of throwing challenges our way that can feel impossible to navigate alone, but you don't have to carry that weight by yourself. With over 30 years of experience as a therapist, I have worked with individuals of all ages—from young children to seniors—helping them find clarity through life’s most difficult transitions. Whether you are dealing with relationship struggles, depression, or the complexities of grief and trauma, my goal is to provide a steady presence that helps you find your way back to yourself. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives by drawing on both my clinical training and the wisdom gained from decades of practice.

I believe that true healing happens when you have a space to speak freely with someone who isn't connected to your daily life or family circle. I bring a blend of professional expertise and extensive life experience to our sessions, which allows me to understand the nuances of the human experience beyond just a clinical lens. Outside of my work in the office, I enjoy staying active in the local community and find that a balanced life helps me show up fully for those I serve. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, knowing they have an experienced advocate committed to their well-being.

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.