
About

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Calfornia
License No. LCSW 27787
Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD?
With 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I am dedicated to helping teens and adults navigate life’s challenges with compassion, insight, and evidence-based care. I believe therapy is a collaborative process—one where you are seen, heard, and supported as you work toward healing and meaningful change.I provide individual therapy for adolescents and adults facing a wide range of concerns, including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. I also have experience supporting those through perimenopause and menopause, helping clients understand the emotional, psychological, and identity shifts that can occur during this stage of life.My approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, drawing from proven therapeutic modalities while tailoring treatment to each person’s unique needs, strengths, and goals. Whether you are working through past experiences, managing overwhelming emotions, or seeking clarity during a difficult transition, I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental space where growth and healing can occur. Together, we will focus on building resilience, increasing self-awareness, and fostering lasting change.Taking this first step of looking for a therapist shows you’re on the path to healing from trauma.Therapy is not always comfortable or easy. Even if you have been in therapy before, it can feel overwhelming to start the process with someone new. Finding the right fit and connection with a therapist is important for your healing journey.
Additional Certifications and Training
EMDR Certified Therapist™ (EMDR International Association, USA)
Menopause-Informed CBT (EMBERS® Trained, UK)

SERVICES

Online (Virtual) Individual Therapy
Age
Adolescents (13-17)
Adults (18+)
Specialities (click below to explore)
Treatment Modalities (click below to explore)
RATES AND INSURANCE

Online (Virtual) Individual Therapy
Insurance
Out-of-Network (OON) I can provide superbill (receipt) to clients to request directly to their health insurance plan (therapist is not contracted with) for possible reimbursement for portion of the session cost clients paid to therapist. See rates below.
Victim Witness: Aetna, Blue Shield of CA, CenCal, Cigna
Rates
Initial (intake) Session: $120
Individual Therapy Session (50-min): $120
Family Therapy Session, applies to clients who are minors (50-min): $150
The No Surprises Act is a U.S. federal law, effective January 1, 2022
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment.If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
RESOURCES

Crisis and Support Hotlines
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 then Press 1, or Text 838255
Trevor Lifeline LGBTQ+ (ages 13-24): Call 1-866-488-7386
Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1-800-656-4673
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990
California Crisis Hotlines, Warmlines, and Resources
Podcast Recommendations
Book Recommendations
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle - Mark Wolynn
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents - Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose - Eckhart Tolle
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts - Gary Chapman
Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Always Demands More - Israa Nasir
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself - Nedra Glover Tawwab
The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World - Cal Newport
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships - Marshall B. Rosenberg
The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses - John W. James, Russell Friedman
This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More - Uma Naidoo M.D.
Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause - Jessica Shepherd M.D.
How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before - Tamsen Fadal
The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts - Mary Claire Haver M.D.
This website is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute clinical advice.
CONTACT

Together, we will move forward on your healing journey with you as the driver.
Anisha Patel, LCSW, PPSC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Calfornia
License No. LCSW 27787
Business Hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am-12pm;1-6pm, Thursdays 1-6pm, Fridays 9am-12pm;1-4pm
Tel: (805) 623-0993
Email: ap@traumahealingtherapyca.com
If you are in a life threatening situation, do NOT use this site. Call or text at 988 for Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If your issue is an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Online (Virtual) Individual Therapy

Navigating Mental Health During Perimenopause and Menopause
Menopause is a significant life transition that can impact not only the body, but also emotional and mental well-being. Hormonal changes, shifting roles, sleep disruption, and life stressors can contribute to changes in mood, increased anxiety, depression, irritability, and feelings of overwhelm. For those with a history of trauma, anxiety, or depression, menopausal changes can intensify existing symptoms or bring unresolved issues to the surface. For many, this period can feel confusing, isolating, or unlike anything they’ve experienced before.
Mental health challenges during perimenopause and menopause are real—and support can make a meaningful difference.
How Perimenopause/Menopause Can Affect Mental Health
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can influence brain chemistry and emotional regulation. Common mental health concerns during this transition may include:
Increased anxiety or panic symptoms
Depression or low mood
Mood swings or emotional reactivity
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory changes
Sleep disturbances that impact emotional health
Increased stress or difficulty coping with daily demands
Changes in self-identity, confidence, or sense of purpose
For many, menopause can also activate unresolved trauma, grief, or long-standing emotional patterns
Therapy Support During Perimenopause and Menopause
Therapy offers a supportive space to understand what you’re experiencing and develop tools to feel more grounded and in control. Working with a mental health professional can help you:
Manage anxiety, depression, and mood changes
Develop healthy coping strategies for stress and overwhelm
Process grief or loss related to aging, fertility, or life transitions
Address trauma or past experiences that may resurface
Improve sleep, emotional regulation, and self-compassion
Strengthen resilience and confidence during change
Therapy during menopause is not about “pushing through” or minimizing your experience—it’s about understanding your needs and supporting your overall well-being.
Using EMDR, CBT, and ACT to Navigate Mental Health During Perimenopause and Menopause
Evidence-based therapies such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can provide meaningful support during perimenopause and menopause.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help the brain process distressing memories and experiences. During menopause, EMDR can be particularly helpful when hormonal changes intensify trauma-related symptoms. EMDR can help you:
Process past trauma that may resurface during menopause
Reduce emotional reactivity and intrusive thoughts
Address medical, relational, or developmental trauma
Increase emotional stability and nervous system regulation
EMDR supports healing at a deeper level, allowing painful experiences to lose their emotional charge.
Learn more in this video
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. CBT can help you:
Reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms
Challenge negative or self-critical thinking
Improve sleep and daily functioning
Develop practical coping skills for stress management
Increase emotional awareness and regulation
CBT is effective for managing mood changes, anxiety, and depression commonly experienced during perimenopause and menopause.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT emphasizes psychological flexibility—learning to accept difficult thoughts and emotions while committing to actions aligned with your values. ACT can help you:
Reduce the struggle with uncomfortable emotions
Build self-compassion and emotional resilience
Manage intrusive or repetitive thoughts
Clarify values during life transitions
Create meaning and purpose during change
ACT is especially helpful when menopause brings uncertainty, loss of control, or identity shifts.
An Integrated, Individualized Approach
By integrating EMDR, CBT, and ACT, therapy addresses both immediate symptoms and underlying emotional experiences. This comprehensive approach allows you to:
Heal unresolved trauma
Develop effective coping strategies
Increase emotional flexibility and resilience
Navigate menopause with clarity and confidence
Treatment is tailored to your unique history, symptoms, and goals.
If you’re struggling with your mental health during perimenopause or menopause, reaching out for support can be an important first step. I invite you to contact me to learn more about therapy options and how we can work together to support your emotional well-being.


SPECIALITIES
Online (Virtual) Individual Therapy

Trauma happens when someone experiences or witnesses something overwhelming, scary, or life-threatening, and their mind and body can’t fully process it at the time. While not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, sometimes the brain and body continue reacting as if the danger is still present.PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is what can happen when these trauma responses persist and start to interfere with daily life. It’s the ongoing effect of trauma on thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions. In other words, trauma is the event, and PTSD is the lasting impact that can follow for some people.With understanding, support, and treatment, people with PTSD can learn that they are safe and their symptoms can improve.
Depression is a mental health condition that affects mood, thoughts, and energy levels. It’s more than feeling sad or having a bad day—depression can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming and can reduce enjoyment, motivation, and concentration. It’s not a personal weakness or something you can simply “snap out of.” Depression is a medical condition influenced by biological, psychological, and life factors, and with the right support and treatment, many people feel better and regain a sense of balance.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes persistent or intense, it can start to interfere with daily life. It often shows up as constant worry, nervousness, or fear, and may also cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, tight chest, or restlessness. Anxiety isn’t a personal weakness—it’s the body’s alarm system staying switched on for too long. With understanding, coping strategies, and the right support, anxiety can be managed effectively.
Grief is the natural response to loss. It can happen when someone loses a loved one, a relationship, a job, or something else important. Grief affects thoughts, emotions, and even the body—people may feel sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, or physical symptoms like fatigue or trouble sleeping.Everyone experiences grief differently, and there’s no “right” way to feel or timeline to follow. Grief is a normal part of healing, and with time, support, and self-care, people usually learn to adjust and find meaning again.
Click here to explore
Life can feel heavy sometimes. Whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, or changes like menopause, reaching out for support is an important step. I invite you to contact me to learn more about therapy options and how we can work together to support your emotional well-being.
TYPES OF THERAPY
Online (Virtual) Individual Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps people process distressing or traumatic memories. Sometimes, upsetting experiences can feel “stuck” in the brain, causing strong emotions, anxiety, or flashbacks. EMDR uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional impact and helping you feel more in control.EMDR is effective for trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, and other distressing experiences.
Learn more in this video
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based type of talk therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Often, unhelpful or negative thoughts can make you feel anxious, depressed, or stuck in patterns that don’t serve you.It can be really helpful for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and grief by teaching you practical ways to manage distressing thoughts, cope with strong emotions, and build healthier patterns in your daily life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of trying to fight or avoid them. At the same time, ACT guides you to focus on what really matters to you—your values—and take meaningful actions toward living a fulfilling life.ACT can be helpful for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and grief by teaching practical skills to cope with distressing emotions, stay present, and build resilience.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Tapping is a self-soothing technique that combines gentle tapping on specific points on the body with focusing on thoughts or feelings that are causing distress. The tapping helps signal the nervous system to release tension and reduce the intensity of difficult emotions.EFT Tapping can be helpful for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and grief, supporting emotional regulation and providing a sense of calm. It’s simple, safe, and can be used during sessions or on your own to help you manage overwhelming feelings and feel more in control. I use EFT Tapping as one of the tools in therapy, rather than as a standalone approach. I use EFT Tapping together with other therapies because it works best as part of a bigger, personalized approach to help you manage emotions and reach your goals.
Click here to explore
An Integrated, Individualized Approach
Each therapy offers unique tools to support emotional healing and personal growth. By integrating these approaches, therapy can be tailored to your needs and goals. This individualized approach allows you to benefit from the strengths of each method, creating a flexible, personalized plan that supports your healing, resilience, and overall well-being.
