Mindfulness-Based (MBCT) Therapists in California

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral techniques. It helps you focus on the present moment, recognize and challenge negative thought patterns, and manage stress more effectively. MBCT is especially useful in preventing relapse in depression by fostering a new, more balanced relationship with your thoughts and emotions.

Welcome! I’m Katia Garcia, a Board Certified Psych Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in mental health care. Your journey to wellness begins with compassionate, personalized care tailored for your needs. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, or the challenges of addiction, I’m here to help you find balance and peace by developing a treatment plan that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit, empowering you to reclaim happiness in your life! My approach to care is rooted in the belief that every individual is unique, as there is no "one size fits all" treatment. By working together, we will design a treatment plan to include the whole person, addressing the mind, body, and spirit to achieve true healing. I offer medication management, holistic options, lifestyle coaching, and/or talk therapy to help those struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction/substance abuse, and the overwhelming pressures of daily life to any adult. When you work with me, you can expect more than just treatment—you can expect a partnership in your journey toward wellness. Each session is designed to leave you with practical tools, strategies and gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, Whether it's learning techniques to manage stress, finding balance in your emotions, or developing healthier habits, Together, we’ll work toward building a stronger, more resilient you. *Specialties •Mental Health •Adult Psychiatry *Conditions treated •Substance abuse •Addiction •Depression •Anxiety •Insomnia •OCD *Treatment approach •Mindfulness-Based(MBCT) •Coaching •Motivational Interviewing (MI) •Medication Management •Nutritional Supplementation *Insurance •Aetna •Blue Cross Blue Shield •Cigna •Anthem •Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy to help clients focus on the present moment and observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This approach can reduce rumination and improve emotional regulation, fostering resilience and a greater sense of well-being. When combined with medication management, MBCT provides a comprehensive strategy for addressing both the cognitive and biological aspects of mental health, empowering clients to proactively manage their symptoms and break cycles of negative thinking. Together, these approaches enhance overall treatment effectiveness for conditions like depression and anxiety.

Hello, I'm AJ Kiefer, a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Los Angeles, CA. I specialize in providing compassionate and effective care to adults dealing with various mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. With years of education and hands-on experience in outpatient settings and intensive care units, I am committed to helping my patients achieve their mental health goals. I offer both telehealth and in-person consultations, always striving to meet the individual needs of each patient. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Nursing from the University of Miami and hold a Master's in Nursing Education. I also earned a post-graduate certificate specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health across the lifespan from Maryville University. Beyond my clinical work, I have volunteered in disaster relief efforts and community health fairs, demonstrating my commitment to giving back. My priority is to provide top-notch, empathetic care, ensuring all my patients feel heard and supported. I look forward to helping you on your journey to better mental health. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Let's work together towards a healthier, happier life. *Specialties •Mental Health •Adult Psychiatry •Psychotherapy •Psychiatry •Behavioral Medicine •Pediatrics *Conditions treated •Depression •Anxiety •Bipolar disorders •ADHD •Addiction •PTSD •Insomnia •Relationship issues •Learning disabilities •Mood disorders •Trauma •Panic attacks •Eating disorders •Schizophrenia •Medication Management •Borderline Personality (BPD) •Chronic Pain •Drug Abuse •Dual Diagnosis •Grief •Men's Issues •LGBTQ+ •Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) •Self-Harming •Sleep or Insomnia •Spirituality •Stress •Substance Use •Suicidal Ideation •Transgender •Trauma and PTSD •Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) •Women's Issues *Practice description We provide diverse and culturally competent care by welcoming clients across the lifespan looking for mental health guidance. We believe in providing a judgment free space for patients to seek help and to speak freely about their struggles. Our focus is to help clients improve their quality-of-life and reach optimal well-being with a holistic and integrative approach and to end the stigma towards mental health. Clients will also gain deeper understanding of self and their mental health challenges. We create a supportive space to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors together. You will develop practical ways to manage stress, improve relationships, and foster personal growth. We're committed to helping you build resilience and gain insight to empower you to make positive life changes. *Treatment approach •Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) •Culturally Sensitive •Mindfulness-Based(MBCT) •Coaching

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy. It helps clients stay present and develop a greater awareness of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can be particularly helpful in preventing relapse in depression and managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.

Hello, I'm Courtney Carmona, a dedicated Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 12 years of experience in healthcare. My nursing journey has taken me through urgent care, pediatric care, and nursing education. I am passionate about providing quality care and pride myself on strong assessment and patient care skills. I aim to make patients feel heard and involved in their treatment. I believe in clear, effective communication to ensure that patients and their families fully understand their care plans. Currently, I work at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, where I assess patient conditions, manage treatments, and provide thorough after-care instructions. My background includes advanced degrees in Nursing and a strong foundation in psychology, which helps me connect with patients on a deeper level. With certification as a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, you can trust that you are in safe, knowledgeable hands. My goal is to work collaboratively with you to achieve the best possible health outcomes. Let's work together on your journey to better health.

We take our clients outside of the four walls whenever possible. We may practice from walking or sitting on the grass practicing mindful work to indoor calm breath work. Mindfulness work has helped our clients with becoming more attuned and aware to feelings and senses. This is important in working on listening to self better.

My Serenity therapist focus on Anxiety, Depression, issues of attachment trauma/PTSD, and unresolved emotional pain. We are a holistic group practice & will help your healing, challenges that have affected you socially, insecure about relationships, lead to poor confidence, perhaps you have become a people pleaser. Have you noticed you overthink, and maybe criticize yourself often or put yourself down? Imagine you can tone the noise down, grow insight and take care of your emotional needs better.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an integrative approach that combines the principles of mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy techniques. MBCT is designed to help people break free from patterns of negative thinking, emotional reactivity, and stress, and to foster a greater sense of awareness, acceptance, and emotional regulation. MBCT is especially effective for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, or recurring negative thought patterns. The focus is on cultivating mindfulness, or the ability to be present in the moment, without judgment, while also developing tools to manage difficult emotions and thoughts. Here’s how MBCT works and how it can help: 1. Cultivating Mindfulness Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to your present experience—thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and environment—without judgment. In MBCT, mindfulness techniques, such as focused breathing, body scans, and meditation, are used to help you cultivate awareness in the here-and-now. These practices can help you distance yourself from the automatic negative thinking patterns that often lead to emotional distress. By learning to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them, you begin to see them as temporary experiences rather than facts. This helps reduce the power of negative thinking that can contribute to anxiety or depression. 2. Identifying and Challenging Negative Thought Patterns In MBCT, we explore how habitual patterns of thinking—like rumination or catastrophizing—contribute to emotional distress. For example, when someone with depression experiences negative thoughts, they may get stuck in a loop, continually thinking that "nothing will ever get better." MBCT helps you recognize these automatic thought patterns and offers tools to challenge them. By combining mindfulness with cognitive therapy techniques, MBCT teaches you how to: Notice when you're getting stuck in negative thought patterns Create space between you and your thoughts Reframe these thoughts in a more realistic, compassionate way The goal is to break the cycle of negative thinking and develop healthier ways of interpreting your experiences. 3. Increasing Emotional Awareness and Regulation Many of us are unaware of our emotional responses until they’ve already taken hold, leading to reactive behaviors like lashing out or withdrawing. MBCT helps increase emotional awareness, which allows you to pause and observe your emotional reactions before you act on them. This space provides an opportunity to make more thoughtful, intentional choices rather than being swept away by strong emotions. The practice of mindfulness allows you to stay present with difficult emotions, such as sadness, anger, or fear, without judgment. Over time, you’ll build resilience and learn that you don’t have to be overwhelmed by emotions—they can be observed, processed, and released. 4. Reducing Stress and Improving Coping Skills Chronic stress is often tied to persistent worry, anxiety, and negative thinking. MBCT helps you develop better coping skills by teaching you how to approach stress in a mindful, balanced way. Instead of avoiding stressors or reacting impulsively, you’ll learn to face them with a calm, present mindset. Mindfulness also reduces the body’s physical stress response, helping you manage symptoms like tension, fatigue, or poor sleep. This allows you to approach life’s challenges with greater clarity and calm. 5. Preventing Relapse in Depression and Anxiety One of the most powerful benefits of MBCT is its ability to prevent relapse in people who have experienced recurrent episodes of depression or anxiety. MBCT teaches you how to notice early warning signs—such as negative thinking patterns or shifts in mood—before they escalate into a full-blown episode. By becoming more aware of your mental and emotional state, you can intervene earlier, using mindfulness and cognitive strategies to stop the cycle before it becomes overwhelming. This prevention approach is especially effective for individuals who have experienced multiple episodes of depression or anxiety. 6. Fostering Acceptance and Self-Compassion Mindfulness teaches acceptance—not resignation or passivity, but the ability to acknowledge your current experience without judgment or resistance. Often, we are our harshest critics, and this self-criticism can worsen feelings of inadequacy or frustration. Through MBCT, you’ll cultivate self-compassion, which allows you to treat yourself with kindness and understanding when things go wrong. Instead of reacting with frustration or self-blame, you’ll learn to be gentle with yourself and accept your human imperfections. 7. Improving Overall Well-Being MBCT has been shown to improve mental well-being by increasing present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. With time and practice, you’ll experience greater peace, clarity, and balance in your daily life. This shift can lead to improved relationships, enhanced creativity, and an increased sense of meaning and fulfillment. How MBCT Can Help: Reduce Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: By breaking the cycle of negative thinking, MBCT can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Improve Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness practices help you stay present with emotions without becoming overwhelmed, leading to greater emotional resilience and regulation. Increase Self-Awareness: MBCT increases your ability to recognize and understand your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, promoting greater insight and self-compassion. Enhance Stress Management: By reducing the physiological stress response and cultivating mindfulness, you can manage stress more effectively and prevent it from negatively impacting your life. Develop Healthier Thought Patterns: MBCT helps you identify and challenge negative thought patterns, leading to healthier, more balanced thinking and improved self-esteem. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is a powerful tool for anyone looking to break free from the grip of negative thoughts, emotional reactivity, and stress. Whether you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or simply seeking to improve your mental health and well-being, MBCT offers practical tools to create lasting change in your life.

I’m Keri, a holistic practitioner dedicated to supporting your journey toward balance, wellness, and a deeper connection with yourself. Whether you're navigating stress, chronic discomfort, emotional blocks, or simply seeking a more grounded and aligned life, I’m here to help you heal from the inside out. My approach combines mind, body, and spirit—offering personalized care that honors your unique story. Through [modalities you offer—e.g., Reiki, herbal medicine, intuitive guidance, bodywork], I hold a space where transformation can gently unfold. If you're ready to feel more empowered, centered, and vibrant, I invite you to explore how we can work together. Your healing begins here.