Michelle Renteria, LMFT — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Michelle!

Feeling unsure of what is next or how to cope? I help clients navigate stressors, fear, life transitions, and self-doubt. Together, we work toward clarity, emotional grounding, and meaningful forward movement to help you craft the life you want and deserve.

My focus

I work with adults struggling with navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and addiction. Together, we’ll build offering a grounded therapeutic space to explore emotions, understand patterns, and build meaningful change. My focus is on helping clients move through uncertainty with greater clarity, resilience, and self‑trust.

My approach

I use an integrative approach grounded in CBT, DBT, and a strong psychodynamic foundation to help clients understand the deeper emotional patterns shaping their lives. My work blends insight‑oriented exploration with practical skills, supporting clients in developing self‑awareness, strengthening resilience, and creating lasting, meaningful change.

My communication style

My communication style is gentle and warm, offering clients a grounded space where they feel seen, supported, and understood. I am also direct in my approach, providing honest reflections and clear guidance that help clients deepen insight and move toward meaningful change. This balance allows clients to feel both comforted and empowered.

My journey to mental healthcare

I became a therapist to support people in understanding themselves and navigating life’s challenges with clarity and compassion. I’m drawn to work that builds insight, strengthens resilience, and offers a gentle, warm, and direct space for meaningful growth.

My goals for you

I help clients reach their goals by combining gentle, warm support with direct guidance. Together, we clarify what they want to change, explore the patterns shaping their experiences, and build practical skills that support meaningful, lasting progress.

Our first session

Our first session is a calm space for us to connect and talk about what’s bringing you in. It’s completely natural to feel unsure—therapy is something we build together over time. We’ll move at your pace, and I’ll offer steady, direct guidance as we navigate each step of the process.

I identify as...

Female
Hispanic or Latinx
Christian

Expertise

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Dialectical (DBT)

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Attachment-based

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Gestalt

Humanistic

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Narrative

Object Relations

Psychodynamic

Structural Family Therapy

+ 13 more

Focus populations

Police/Fire/First Responders

Sex Worker

Single Mother

First Gen American/Immigrant Parents

LGBTQIA+

+ 5 more

Therapy types

Couples Therapy
Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Allegiance
Allied
Arlo (Cigna)
BHS EAP

+ 23 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Michelle Renteria