

Mental health care in Santa Monica is accessible through Headway's network of 8,235 providers. Whether you're in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West LA, or beyond, find compassionate support through virtual or in-person sessions covered by insurance with copays starting at $0.
How do you possibly pick from all of the therapists out there? How far down the path do you have to go before you know if it's a fit? The answer is to do a free consultation. It'll cost you nothing be 30 minutes to chat. If I'm not the right fit, I'll help you figure it out.
As a licensed therapist with both an MSW and a PhD in clinical practice and research, I bring a depth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to my work with individuals and couples. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.
I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional resilience, and self-exploration. Whether you're seeking personal growth or looking to strengthen your connection with a partner, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where meaningful insight and change can emerge.
Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.
My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.
I am licensed clinical psychologist in California. I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology.
I am trained in the depth psychological tradition (psychoanalytic psychotherapy, psychodynamic and Jungian/analytic psychology). I listen to how deep-rooted beliefs, current dilemmas in daily life, socio-cultural factors, and emotional responses are communicating through the expression of psychological symptoms.
Shana Bujake is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She specializes in working with individuals who are recovering from narcissistic abuse, navigating life transitions, or struggling with relationship challenges and self-worth.
With a strong background in trauma-informed care, she provides a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, gain clarity, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Her work is deeply rooted in helping clients build resilience and create meaningful change in their lives.
I’m Emmanuel Garcia, a Mexican American therapist, first-generation college graduate, and founder of Radiate Hope Therapy. I specialize in supporting adults and adolescents navigating trauma, substance use, identity struggles, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Many of the people I work with feel weighed down by emotions or uncertain about their direction, especially during sobriety or recovery.
Growing up, I witnessed how mental health was often stigmatized and silenced, especially for men in Latino communities. I know how isolating that silence can feel. My own journey through therapy and recovery taught me that true strength isn’t in staying quiet, it’s in showing up for yourself and beginning to heal. That lived experience shapes the empathy, understanding, and care I bring to every session.
Having been in therapy myself, I've experienced firsthand its positive impact, helping me overcome my anxiety and equipping me with practical tools I still use today. I understand that repeatedly answering 'How does that make you feel?' can be frustrating. Drawing from my personal experience both as a therapy client and practitioner in a treatment center setting, I bring energy into my sessions and build momentum to help clients get unstuck and face their Anxiety & OCD with confidence.
It's hard to find non-judgmental therapy, especially when dealing with subjects that evoke shame. That's why I collaborate to create a therapy that meets you as you are. I hold an affirming space for marginalized orientations, neurotypes, and relationship styles. We can work to navigate major issues like trauma, sexuality and life changes, or an ongoing condition like depression or anxiety. I am also passionate about supporting people through their gender journeys. My therapy is not just inclusive, but is LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity affirming. I also enjoy working with couples or relationship groups as they navigate challenges.
I have had the privilege of doing this work for more than 30 years, learning along the way and stopping only to learn more.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right therapist in Santa Monica starts with getting clear on what you're looking for. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, or another challenge, look for a licensed provider — such as an LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, or psychiatrist — who has experience with your specific needs. Reading a provider's bio can help you understand their approach and decide if they're a good match before your first session.
With thousands of licensed mental health providers practicing across the Westside, narrowing your options can take time. Consider what matters most to you: a provider who specializes in a certain area, someone who offers virtual appointments, or a therapist with in-person availability near your neighborhood. A free phone consultation, when available, is one of the best ways to see if a provider feels like the right fit before committing.
Therapy in Santa Monica can be expensive without insurance — but affordable options exist when you use your in-network benefits. Entering your insurance details on Headway shows you estimated session costs upfront, and many patients pay as low as $0 per visit. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, making it easier to find a therapist who matches your needs and is covered by your plan.
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