Grief counselors and therapists in Santa Maria, CA

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience providing mental health services in behavioral health, crisis intervention, community mental health, and medical settings. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflict, and other emotional challenges.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. I work alongside clients to build on their strengths, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

Throughout my career, I have provided therapy and clinical support in outpatient, community-based, hospital, college mental health, and correctional settings. In my private practice, I provide bilingual psychotherapy to individuals and families experiencing trauma, stress, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, and behavioral health issues. I also have extensive experience supporting foster, adoptive, and biological families caring for children impacted by trauma and attachment-related difficulties.

My professional background includes crisis stabilization, risk assessment, treatment planning, wraparound services, and multidisciplinary care coordination for youth and families with complex needs. I am also a part-time lecturer in the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, where I teach and mentor future social workers.

I am passionate about culturally responsive care, equity in mental health services, and helping clients feel empowered throughout their healing journey. I provide services in both English and Spanish and welcome clients from all backgrounds.

There is so much growing that we do in our teens & young adulthood (and our adulthood too!), whether we want to or not. I know how overwhelming it can be, especially with so many factors at play (culture, trauma, world events, etc). As your therapist, I’m here to support you through all this.

I am someone who:

• Works with BIPOC, children of immigrants, LGBTQ+, & neurodivergent teens, young adults, adults, & those who are grieving
• Is trauma informed, & community/justice oriented
• Knows how the systems at play affect us daily & at a deeper unconscious level
• Creates a safe space for you to explore the parts of your life that may feel too difficult to hold on your own

If you want any of the following, then I am the therapist for you:

• Work through your relationships, life events, &/or grief using talk therapy & body-centered approaches
• Process life events, ideas, feelings with thought provoking questions
• Support in navigating relationships & your inner world in any capacity

Hi there, I'm Jaime - a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience supporting all ages in crisis settings involving anxiety, depression, and trauma.

I use a trauma informed approach that blends CBT, mindfulness, and other evidence-based practices and strive to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood while building tools to navigate life’s challenges. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Teryn Leaper has a Masters in Counseling

Psychology from Mount Saint Mary's University.

She is currently board certified with the BBS in

California and BHEC in Texas.

Teryn has been spent the last decade in Los

Angeles and has been living in Texas for the last

year. Outside of work Teryn likes to read, write

short stories and poems and knit.

Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in California. I received my Doctorate Degree from Alliant International University in Fresno. I was born in Southern California and raised in the Bay Area. I have been practicing for 10 years and I enjoy empowering adults in their journey of overcoming their mental health challenges. I motivate clients for change and promote their personal growth.

As a therapist I'm here for you. It seems brave to me make a decision to come to therapy. My part is to listen and without judgment or personal agenda and to be effective in your needs and wants. Of course, I also need to be aware of the legals and ethicals of therapy. I attended Sarah Lawrence College and Harvard University for my BA, and Phillips Graduate Institute for my MA.

I have lived in the Truckee Tahoe area off an on for over 30 years, I have an AA Degree in Early Child Development, a BA Degree from the University of California Santa Cruz, and I attended the University of. Nevada, Reno for my Masters in Social Work.

My husband and I have two grown children who live in Northern CA and Nevada. We are avid skiers, mountain bikers, and my hobbies include cooking, art, writing, and learning, and of course, playing with our mini golden doodle, Joaquin.

My roots are in Scranton, Pennsylvania; growing up, life was challenging and unpredictable for me and my sisters. I was the first member of our extended family who was able to put themselves through both undergraduate (BA - Latin American Studies/UCSC, and graduate school (MSW- Masters in Social Work, (UNR) and graduate with honors.

All three of my younger sisters followed in my footsteps to pursue higher education and to find success as Professionals.

My husband and I moved to the Tahoe/Truckee area together in the early 1990s, pursuing seasonal employment. We somehow made ends meet, things got a little easier each year, and he later pursued a career in resort and business management, while I pursued continuing education, mental health and licensure, and opening up my practice.

Our son and a daughter both grew up enjoyed attending local public schools in Truckee, and later the Univeristy of California; they are both living fulfilling adult lives in the nearby region.