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Compassionate and Caring Counseling

I am a licensed therapist/counselor in Santa Cruz, California.  Welcome to my website.

Sometimes, situations in life can feel difficult or overwhelming.  Talking about your thoughts and feelings often lessens the pain and burden of holding them inside.  You can feel better.  I’d like to help.

I am dedicated to helping people make the changes that they want in their lives and supporting people as they heal and grow.  As a therapist, I am collaborative, empathic, compassionate, and interactive.

I love being a therapist.  I am very grateful to get to do something that I love and that I believe in.

People come to see me to work on a variety of goals:

1. •Increasing self-esteem and self-confidence
   

2. •Changing persistent habits and patterns (“getting unstuck”)
   

3. •Reconnecting with joy and living more in the present moment
   

4. •Healing from feelings of depression and anxiety
   

5. •Healing from abuse, neglect, and other trauma (Trauma and EMDR)
   

6. •Grieving a loss, especially the loss of a loved one (Grief)
   

7. •Recovering from addiction or codependency (Addiction recovery)
   

8. •Increasing clear communication; resolving conflicts and social difficulties
   

9. •Helping children who are struggling at school or at home (Children or Teens)
   

If you do not see a particular issue listed but like my general approach to therapy, please feel free to email or call me.  I can tell you if I have experience with a particular issue and refer you to other therapists if necessary.

As a counselor, I have worked hard to find effective and compassionate ways to help people heal and grow.  I use conventional talk therapy and counseling, as well as approaches that utilize imagery, movement, and metaphor.  I think this blend of approaches can help people more fully resolve issues and make the changes that they want in their lives.  Depending on your needs, you can use just one approach or a blend of approaches.  I encourage people to explore what works for them.  I tailor my approach to each person, based on what she/he wants from therapy.

I offer both brief therapy and longer-term therapy.  The number of sessions depends on the initial problem, your goals, and how close you already are to achieving your goals.

I enjoy working with people who are new to therapy, as well as with people who have been in therapy before.  Sometimes deciding to begin counseling can be a difficult decision, so please have a great deal of compassion for yourself if you are struggling with this decision.  If it would be helpful, you can read more about the benefits of therapy.

I work with children, teenagers, and adults.

My Approach to Therapy or Counseling
I draw upon many therapeutic approaches.  My orientation is based on family systems therapy, neurobiology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and strengths-based therapy.  You can read more about my approach to therapy.

My Experience as a Therapist
I have been a therapist since 2000 (licensed since 2003), and I have worked in the field of mental health since 1996.  Aside from private practice, I have worked at a substance abuse recovery program, at an elementary school, at a group home, at a school for students who have severe behavioral issues, and at a grief counseling clinic.

Therapy License Information
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT or LMFT) (formerly called Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor).  LMFTs work with children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families.  We pay particular attention to the relationships in a person’s life.  Relationships may be the focus of counseling, or other issues which influence the quality of relationships may be the focus. (Lic. # MFC40414)

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Directions to my Santa Cruz office

Counseling Fees
Please click on the link for more information about fees.

You can call me today for a free phone consultation, which gives you a chance to ask questions, better understand how I work, and decide if we are a good fit.

To schedule an appointment or ask questions, please call me at (831) 419-2019 or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com.

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C, Santa Cruz, CA 95062  ~  (831) 419-2019  ~  stacy@stacyoleary.com

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© Stacy O’Leary 2004-2011

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Therapy and counseling in Santa Cruz, serving Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Santa Cruz / Santa Clara / Monterey Counties.  Helping children, teenagers, and adults with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, and self-esteem.
(Lic # MFC40414)  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist