In-Person in Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Online in California
At New Beginnings Counseling Center's (NBCC) Donald J. Willfong Community Counseling Center, we are deeply committed to supporting individuals, couples, and families through life’s challenges with compassionate, accessible, and culturally attuned mental health care. For over 50 years, our nonprofit clinic has been a cornerstone of the Santa Barbara community, offering confidential counseling and therapeutic services that empower people to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Our diverse team of masters- and doctoral-level counselors — supported by experienced clinical supervisors — provides evidence-informed therapy in a traineeship setting, helping clients explore life transitions, relationship concerns, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, compulsive behaviors, substance use challenges, stress, anger management, isolation, and more. We offer individual, couples, family, and group counseling, available both in person and through telehealth to meet the varied needs of our community.
We believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health support, regardless of financial means. That’s why we provide one of the most affordable sliding-scale fee structures in the region — many clients pay less than $15 per session — and we never turn anyone away due to inability to pay. Counseling is available in both English and Spanish.
In addition to our clinical services, New Beginnings is dedicated to fostering community well-being through training the next generation of clinicians, integrating trauma-informed practices, and ensuring that our services are responsive, respectful, and strength-based. Our mission is to help individuals not just cope, but truly thrive, by supporting their emotional growth, resilience, and overall wellness.
We warmly welcome you to begin your journey toward healing and self-discovery with us.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Play Therapy Uses toys, games, and creative play to help children express emotions. It is especially useful when children can’t fully verbalize their feelings.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
Education & Credentials
New Beginnings Counseling Center (NBCC)
- Female, Gender Fluid, Male, Non-Binary
- License # LMFT 47105
- Licensed in California
- Practicing Since 1960
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee $16-96
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Our mission is to ensure that the cost of therapy is never a barrier to clients receiving weekly psychotherapeutic care. We reduce client session fees whenever necessary to prevent financial hardship.
- Accepts Insurance
- CenCal Medi-Cal (associate clinicians only)
New Beginnings Counseling Center (NBCC) Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Santa Barbara, CA 93103
- Available Online for residents of California
- Online Therapy Details: Telehealth/Video (Zoom)