Deren Mikels

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I help adults achieve the emotional, psychological, and cognitive balance they seek. Balance could be freedom from anxiety or depression, relationship struggles, perfectionist tendencies, grief, panic, distractibility, a racing mind, or overthinking. Often, these issues are tied to past trauma. I help adults with self-discovery and healing, to attain work/life stability.Through a variety of different psychotherapy approaches such as Psychodynamic Theory, Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Somatic (mind-body) Practices, and sprinkles of Creative Arts Therapy, you can grow and change. Together, these processes can promote increased awareness along with mental and emotional equilibrium.Psychotherapy is a talk therapy treatment that can help people who are experiencing mental health challenges. Somatic practices such as mindfulness, grounding, nervous system stabilization help to close the gap, adding richness to the therapeutic process. The goals of treatment and duration and frequency of treatment are discussed by the patient and therapist together.I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from UC Santa Barbara. I then received my Master of Arts Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy from UC Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology, Concentration in Somatic Psychology from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.