Cara Behan  MA, AMFT

I believe in a holistic and integrative approach to psychotherapy to help clients feel balanced in mind, body and spirit. This helps clients navigate life's hardships and challenges. Depression, anxiety, addiction and trauma are realities we can learn to cope with. We can grow from the painful experiences of our lives. I strive to help clients learn how to do this. 

I am inspired by DBT, Internal Family Systems, depth psychology, attachment theory, somatic psychotherapy and the Violet Oaklander Model of play therapy for children. I enjoy working with children and their families to help strengthen the bonds of communication and healthy emotional expression. I also enjoy helping couples succeed in relationships and am passionate about empowering young women by building confidence and strengthening a sense of Self. 

As a certified yoga teacher, I've seen how yoga & meditation practices help bring positive change to clients' mental and emotional health. I teach therapeutic yoga for addiction recovery, trauma, anxiety and PTSD in Santa Barbara.  I completed my yoga teacher training at Naada Yoga Montreal in 2012. 

I received my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara in 2016 and am a Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Intern #97045 (MFTI). I am currently enrolled in the Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training in Los Angeles and am supervised by Kristine Schwarz, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #44909 in private practice at Santa Barbara Psychotherapy®. 

In addition to private practice, I am a case manager at Cottage Hospital's Psychiatric Nursing and Chemical Dependency Unit.  

I received clinical training at CALM Santa Barbara, where I worked with children and families impacted by child abuse, sexual abuse and trauma. I also completed my clinical training at Cottage Hospital's Psychiatric Nursing and Chemical Dependency Unit, where I continue to work with severe and persistent mental illness and addiction.