In-Person in Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Online in California
Trauma-informed depth psychotherapy grounded in contemplative practice. For help uncovering the deeper patterns lurking beneath depression and anxiety, and navigating life transitions.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Buddhist, LGBTQ+, Men, Military / Veterans, Pacific Islander, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Contemplative Psychotherapy Combines mindfulness and meditation practices with modern psychology. It encourages awareness and compassion as part of the healing process.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Experiential Therapy Involves hands-on activities to bring emotions into the present moment. It helps clients process feelings more deeply than through conversation alone.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Jungian Therapy Draws on Carl Jung’s ideas about archetypes, dreams, and the collective unconscious. It helps people explore deeper layers of meaning.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Transpersonal Therapy Integrates spirituality and higher states of consciousness with psychology. It encourages growth beyond the individual self.
Approach Description: My approach to therapy is thoughtful, relational, and depth-oriented. Rather than focusing only on symptom relief, I'm interested in understanding the deeper patterns beneath what you're experiencing. Lasting change often begins when we become curious about ourselves instead of judging ourselves.
My work draws from Internal Family Systems (IFS), psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness, and over twenty years of Zen practice and teaching. These aren't separate techniques as much as complementary ways of helping people develop greater awareness, self-compassion, and freedom in their lives.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee $200
- Out of Network
- I'm happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Education & Credentials
Jesse R Cardin LICSW, LCSW
- Male
- License # 136211
- Licensed in California
- Practicing Since 2017
Education: I received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015, followed by a Master of Science in Social Work degree from University of Louisville in 2017.
Jesse R Cardin Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Available Online for residents of California
- Online Therapy Details: Zoom
Life has a way of bringing us to places we never expected. Sometimes it's anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, trauma, or a difficult relationship. Other times it's a quieter feeling that something in life no longer fits—that you've lost touch with yourself, your direction, or what feels meaningful.
Therapy with me isn't about fixing you. I don't believe you're broken. Together, we create a space where every part of your experience can be explored with honesty, curiosity, and respect. My role is not to tell you who you should become, but to help you discover what is already alive and waiting to emerge.
I particularly enjoy working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, identity, burnout, relationship concerns, and questions of meaning. My practice is especially welcoming to LGBTQ+ adults, artists, creatives, healthcare professionals, and anyone who finds themselves asking deeper questions about how they want to live.
Clients often describe my style as warm, compassionate, grounded, and collaborative. While our work is serious, it doesn't have to be heavy all the time. Humor, creativity, and moments of unexpected insight are often just as important as difficult conversations.
If you're looking for more than quick coping strategies—if you're interested in understanding yourself more deeply and creating meaningful, lasting change—I would be honored to walk alongside you.