Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapists in Santa Monica, California CA
We are proud to feature top rated Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapists in Santa Monica. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
ACT
Tracey Kiernan
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, AMFT
You may be finding that things that used to feel manageable no longer do. You’re overthinking more, feeling anxious or on edge, or noticing you’re either reacting quickly or shutting down altogether. You might feel disconnected from yourself, unsure why you feel “off,” or frustrated that you can’t seem to get back to how you used to be. In your relationship, you may be having the same conversations on repeat, feeling unheard, or struggling to stay connected despite your efforts. For many, this is happening alongside a major life shift—like perimenopause, burnout, or changes in identity—that’s hard to fully put into words but deeply felt.
I specialize in working with women and couples navigating high-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship challenges, and life transitions, including perimenopause. These experiences can impact not only your sense of self, but also how you show up in your relationships, often leading to repeated conflict, emotional distance, or difficulty communicating in a way that actually feels productive.
My approach to therapy is both compassionate and focused. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as ACT, CBT, psychodynamic, Gestalt, somatic, and Gottman-informed couples therapy. We begin by helping you feel more grounded and regulated, so you’re not just talking about your experiences, but are able to work with them in a meaningful way. From there, we explore the underlying patterns driving what you’re experiencing and focus on creating lasting, practical change.
Therapy with me is collaborative, direct, and tailored to you. The goal is not just insight, but helping you feel more like yourself again—clearer, more connected, and better able to navigate your life and relationships.
2 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
ACT
Enlightened Self Family Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to seek the support you need.
You may be wondering who you’ll be meeting with as you begin your healing journey. I am a Tohono O'odham and Mexican American, neurodivergent, cisgender, bisexual female. My identity and lived experience are an integral part of how I show up in this work with care, humility, and a deep respect for each person’s story.
As a therapist, I am committed to ongoing learning and growth in service of my clients. Over the years in private practice, I have learned to trust my intuition while developing and refining different healing approaches. This process has deepened my connection to Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and Brainspotting.
At my practice, I have had the pleasure of working with individuals who are deeply committed to their healing. Our therapists share this same dedication and are equally committed to the clients they serve.
In our work together, we thoughtfully interweave these modalities to support deeper, more integrated healing.
I feel a deep commitment to the people I have the privilege to work with and walk alongside in their process.
6 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90404
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
ACT
Karen Petren
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
I became a therapist because I believe that each of one of us can live more fully and with more happiness and depth. It takes work and a positive connection with someone who cares and reminds you of what your inner voice is telling you. “We’re in this together,” is something I truly live by as a therapist. Hold on, the ride might get a little bumpy, but it will be so worth the effort!
25 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
ACT
Kim Gibson
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPCC, ATR
Hi! Thank you for considering me to be your therapist! I really enjoy helping my clients meet their goals. I'm an experienced therapist who is kind, creative, non judgmental and resourceful. I'm an LPCC and an art therapist and I am trained in EMDR. Most of my clients are coming to me to work on feeling less anxious, shift negative thought patterns, tackle rumination, overcome depression or learn how to navigate symptoms of ADHD. I'm a fellow ADHDer and have extensive training in all things neurodivergence including RSD, PDA, burnout, executive functioning skills and common co-occuring medical issues.
25 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
ACT
Marina Edelman | TrueMe Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Marina Edelman, LMFT, specializes in helping couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and reconnect emotionally after conflict or betrayal. Using evidence-based, attachment-focused therapy, she provides practical tools that create real, lasting change in relationships. Marina offers couples therapy, affair recovery, and premarital counseling in Culver City, Westlake Village, and virtually throughout California.
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**Personal Statement**
I am deeply passionate about helping couples find their way back to connection, safety, and genuine partnership. In my work, I use the Gottman Method alongside attachment-based approaches to give couples clear, research-supported tools that strengthen communication and rebuild trust. Having been married for 30 years myself, I bring both professional expertise and real-life understanding to the complex, meaningful work of sustaining long-term love.
20 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
ACT
Jaclyn Epstein-Calvert
Marriage and Family Therapist, MFT
I believe that therapy is most powerful when it feels human, collaborative, and grounded in real life. My work is guided by a deep respect for the complexity of people’s experiences and the relationships that shape us. I am especially passionate about supporting adults and parents as they navigate stress, identity shifts, and the emotional challenges that often come with family life.
With a background in both education and psychotherapy, I bring a developmental and neuroscience-informed lens to my work, helping clients better understand their emotional patterns and nervous system responses. My goal is to create a space where people feel genuinely understood, supported, and empowered to move toward greater clarity, connection, and resilience.
11 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
ACT
Allen Shamon
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Allen is a licensed independent clinical social worker who graduated with his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Allen works with individuals/couples who are committed to getting results and reaching their highest potential in as little amount of time as necessary. Allen has successfully helped people overcome traumatic events in their lives. If you are considering divorce? This time can be extremely painful regardless of the desires and overall outcome, Couples Counseling can help.
6 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
ACT
Dr. Jag Soni
Psychologist, Ph.D., HSPP, PCC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Finding the right therapist is about finding a space where you feel truly seen, understood, and empowered to change. My practice blends compassionate, relational support with a practical, goal-focused approach designed to help you move past feeling stuck and toward a life that feels authentic and manageable. We won’t just talk about the challenges you’re facing; we will work together to uncover root causes and foster the internal shifts necessary for lasting resilience and mental clarity. Whether you are navigating a difficult life transition or seeking a deeper sense of peace, I provide a safe, expert environment—available exclusively through secure telehealth—to honor your unique story and guide you toward a thriving future. If you’re ready to experience a measurable transformation in your well-being, I invite you to reach out to schedule your first appointment.
36 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
ACT
Anthony Canapi - Your Queer Relationship Therapist
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, AMFT
Hi, I’m Anthony, my pronoun series are he/they, and those who speak Tagalog, siya/sila, and I’m Your Queer Relationship Therapist. I’m glad you’re here.
I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT#160203, I’m a gay, immunocompromised, Asian American, cis man living and working on Chumash and Tongva (Gabrielino) land.
I value openness, humility, and feedback, and I see therapy as something we actively shape together.
2 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
ACT
Annalisa Barrett
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I work with individuals and couples who are struggling with life transitions. Whether you are entering into motherhood, relationship issues, a career change or any phase of life that is inviting you to step into a more evolved version of yourself, therapy can be a place to gain insight and create more adaptive life patterns. Clients often come to me when they’re tired of surface-level coping and want to understand what’s really going on behind the scenes of their own awareness. Contact me for s free 15 minute consultation.
7 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Santa Monica combines proximity to the entertainment industry with a strong wellness culture, creating demand for therapists who specialize in performance anxiety, the pressures of creative and entertainment careers, identity, and the particular stresses of living adjacent to fame and public scrutiny. The area's affluent demographic and beach lifestyle coexist with significant rates of anxiety, eating concerns, and relationship distress, and the Westside has a notably high density of experienced therapists relative to its size. Providence Saint John's Health Center and UCLA Health provide institutional mental health anchors for the Westside community. Many Santa Monica therapists also serve clients from Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and the broader Westside corridor.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapists in Santa Monica, California Statistics
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapists in Santa Monica, California average 13 years of experience and charge around $194 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The most commonly treated issues are Anxiety or Fears (82%), Depression (71%), and Trauma and PTSD (66%).
Average years in practice
13 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$194
Accept insurance
46%
Offer sliding scale
51%
Gender ID
| 63% |
Female |
|
| 25% |
Male |
|
| 7% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 5% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 53% |
Online Only |
|
| 47% |
In Person and Online |
|
Top Specialties
| 82% | Anxiety or Fears |
| 71% | Depression |
| 66% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 58% | Stress |
| 53% | Relationship and Marriage Counseling |
| 44% | Self Esteem |
| 43% | ADHD |
Ages Served
| 96% | Adult |
| 76% | Young Adult |
| 54% | Senior |
| 42% | Teen |
| 26% | Children |
Client Focus
| 64% | Women |
| 50% | LGBTQ+ |
| 37% | Men |
| 33% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 30% | Asian |