Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Santa Barbara, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California with over 13 years of clinical experience, and I specialize in providing therapeutic support for both men and women. My mission is to provide a safe, stigma-free space where individuals feel empowered to seek mental health support and gain the tools they need to thrive. I bring a "meet you where you are" philosophy and a no-judgment zone to every session. My honesty and authenticity give me a unique way of connecting with clients — and I don't take myself too seriously. That said, we will still go deep when it matters. Taking the first step to start therapy takes courage, and I'm proud of you for getting here.

Welcome!

As a licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), I believe in prioritizing out mental health as a way to live a happy and balance life. Reaching out for help can be one of the hardest things a person can do, great job on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 10 years, but in the field for 20 plus years. In the last 6 years I have shifted my main focus to adults 18 plus who are struggling with trauma and substance use.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in healthcare. I work with adolescents, teenagers, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, mood disorders, life transitions, and emotional burnout.

My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. I understand that mental health is deeply connected to daily life, relationships, culture, and personal experiences, and I take a compassionate, whole-person approach to care.

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.

I feel this work is a vocation driven by humility, love, patience, and integrity. I enjoy developing relationships and assisting people on their way to living life to their fullest potential. I believe the world can change one person at a time through mindful, values-based living. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors, with my family and my three little furry friends.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Hunter School of Social Work and have lived and practiced in California for over three decades. My professional background includes extensive work with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. I am known for my patient, compassionate, and attentive approach, and I strive to be fully engaged and present with every client I serve. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized support that helps clients feel understood and empowered in their therapeutic journey.

I believe that every person is born with the capacity to live a full, meaningful, and joyful life. Through life's challenges, losses, relationships, and unexpected experiences, we can become disconnected from that sense of wholeness. My role is to provide a compassionate, supportive space where you can reconnect with yourself, better understand your experiences, and move toward healing. I view therapy as a collaborative process built on trust, respect, and genuine human connection.

If you are feeling lost, alone, overwhelmed, or stuck, I am here. If you are exploring your sense of self, identity, relationships, or sexual orientation, I am here. If you are hoping to cultivate greater self-compassion or reconnect with your authentic self, I am here.

I believe every person deserves a space where they feel seen, heard, and accepted. My practice welcomes people of all genders, sexual orientations, relationship structures, abilities, professions, and backgrounds. It is a privilege to walk alongside clients as they navigate life's challenges, discover their strengths, and move toward healing and growth.

My name is Dianne Fontaine, MSN, APRN, and I'm a Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I obtained my Master’s Degree from Walden University and has undergone advanced clinical training, equipping me to assess, diagnose, and treat a spectrum of psychiatric illnesses, as well as provide psychotherapy.

I graduated from UCLA's Social Welfare program and developed a specialty working with adolescents, teens, parents, teachers and school administrators via the LAUSD public school system. Over the course of 15 years, I have developed an expertise in utilizing a trauma-informed lens and attachment theory to address treatment areas such as trauma, depression, parenting, parent-child relationships, behavioral issues and anxiety.