Female therapists in Santa Monica, California CA
We are proud to feature top rated Female therapists in Santa Monica. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Female
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)
Female
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
Female
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
Female
Lori Karny
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW Psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
How are you managing during these challenging times... Are you depressed? Anxious? Struggling with relationship problems? I want to support you to explore psychological concerns or conflicts and help you to feel better able to cope with life challenges in new ways. In psychotherapy you can develop creative ways to face unique life challenges, identify new goals and passions -- and discover your personal autonomy.
37 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
Female
Faith Szalay
Psychologist, Psy.D, M.A.
I practice insight oriented therapy in which we work as a team to better understand and unlock the deeper pain or distress beneath the issues that are troubling you. In doing so, I am able to provide new options and possibilities. Having true choices is a key to a new sense of freedom in the world.
26 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Female
Linda Owen
Marriage and Family Therapist, MFT
I have had the honor of working as a Therapist for over 20 years. I have been privileged to share the life challenges and successes of hundreds of people. I am excited to have a profession where there are growth opportunities and effective tools available to help others to improve their lives.
40 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90401
Female
Michelle King Rayfield
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I believe people come to therapy because they want something in their life to change. That's why I am very conscious of how we set goals, how we set a road map to achieving them, and how we realign if things go off track. I focus my work on relationships, including couples counseling, as well as anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. I am experienced as a Director and Therapist working in addiction and substance use treatment, and my educational background includes a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Southern California. I know it can be hard to navigate through struggles all alone, which is why I find joy in helping others feel supported in finding happiness, success, and fulfillment in life.
9 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90401
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Female
Dr Mark Baker
Psychologist, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist
Our counseling center focuses on in depth individual psychotherapy for those who have tried other approaches and yet still find themselves in need of something more, as well as intensive marital therapy by skilled clinicians who specialize in repairing broken bonds in intimate relationships.
46 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Female
Life After Birth
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Life After Birth stands out for its specialized focus on the mental and emotional experience of aspiring, expectant, and new parents. Founder and Clinical Director Molly Nourmand, LMFT has been doing this work since 2017 and is widely respected in the maternal mental health community. Clients are often drawn to the practice because they are looking for knowledgeable, compassionate support from clinicians who understand the challenges of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and early parenthood. Life After Birth combines clinical expertise with warmth, community, and a deep commitment to helping parents feel seen and supported.
13 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 904043042
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Female
Nicole Bermensolo
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., AMFT
The therapeutic process has the ability to transform. I am living proof of this. At my lowest point, I was anxious, depressed, suicidal, and trapped in an addiction to alcohol and Adderall. With the help of a skilled therapist, I was able to come out of this darkness - inspiring me to leave a successful business in order to help others who are suffering. I believe that everyone deserves a fighting chance to overcome trauma and abuse and live a rich, full, and satisfying life. I believe that everyone can change and grow at any time in their lives. I don't believe that there is a limit to human capacity. I believe we are all deserving of unconditional love. I hold the hope for my clients when they are drowning in hopelessness. I approach my life and my work through a feminist, anti-oppression, anti-racist, and body-positive perspective. I am passionate about animal rescue and shelter pets. If any of this resonates with you, please shoot me a message and let's find a time to connect.
7 Years Experience
In-Person in 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.
Female therapists in Santa Monica, California Statistics
Female therapists in Santa Monica, California average 15 years of experience and charge around $199 per session. 99% offer online sessions. The most commonly treated issues are Anxiety or Fears (78%), Trauma and PTSD (63%), and Depression (61%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$199
Accept insurance
35%
Offer sliding scale
50%
Gender ID
| 90% |
Female |
|
| 5% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 58% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 41% |
Online Only |
|
| 1% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Specialties
| 78% | Anxiety or Fears |
| 63% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 61% | Depression |
| 49% | Stress |
| 47% | Relationship and Marriage Counseling |
| 46% | Self Esteem |
| 45% | Loss or Grief |
Ages Served
| 94% | Adult |
| 56% | Young Adult |
| 48% | Teen |
| 47% | Senior |
| 21% | Children |
Client Focus
| 62% | Women |
| 40% | LGBTQ+ |
| 30% | Men |
| 25% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 22% | Christian |