Support for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Other Mental Health Conditions
We specialize in helping young adults navigate life transitions, identity questions, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you’re feeling pressure at school, struggling with relationships, or uncertain about the future, therapy can help you find clarity and emotional stability.
Are you feeling stuck in the middle of a big life change? For many young adults, this stage brings both opportunity and challenge. Juggling academics, career decisions, family expectations, and self-identity can lead to stress, burnout, or symptoms of anxiety, depression, or lingering trauma.
At Riviera Therapy in Santa Barbara, CA, we help young people and their families find support during this transformative time. Our licensed mental health professionals and family therapists specialize in addressing the unique needs of adolescents, college students, and adults in their 20s and 30s through talk therapy, skill-building, and trauma-informed care.
Therapy for Young Adults in Santa Barbara
Young adulthood can intensify underlying mental health issues, especially for those facing substance use, identity stress, or symptoms related to childhood experiences. Whether you’re trying to build healthy relationships, recover from addiction, or find a sense of purpose in your everyday life, therapy offers a structured space to explore your thoughts and feelings.
At Riviera Therapy, our services are grounded in evidence-based therapies like CBT, Emotion Focused Therapy, and somatic work. We offer both individual therapy and family therapy, depending on your goals. Our therapists work collaboratively with you to develop personalized treatment goals and equip you with coping skills that last beyond the therapy room.
We also understand that adolescents learn and develop differently than adults. That’s why we tailor our approach based on your age, developmental stage, and current challenges, whether you’re struggling in school, managing social anxiety, or finding your place in your family system.
Sessions are available in person at our warm Santa Barbara location, or online throughout California.
What We Help With
- Anxiety, stress, panic attacks, or perfectionism
- Depression, emotional numbness, or loss of motivation
- Substance use, addiction, or risky behaviors
- Trauma related to childhood abuse, neglect, or violence
- Family conflict, communication issues, or estrangement
- Body image, disordered eating, or identity confusion
- School pressure, academic burnout, or transition stress
- Social anxiety, difficulty making or maintaining friends
- Behavioral problems, self-harm, or emotional dysregulation
- Life transitions like moving out, graduating, or starting a job
Whether you’re facing multiple stressors or just feel “off,” therapy can help you reconnect to your inner resources, build self-awareness, and clarify your path forward.
The Journey Toward Healing
Our goal is to meet you where you are, without judgment, pressure, or assumptions. In your first session, we’ll talk about your concerns, background, and hopes for therapy. From there, we create a roadmap for change, with space for flexibility as your journey unfolds.
- Process unresolved childhood trauma or grief
- Understand how family dynamics and attachment theory influence behavior
- Build emotional regulation and communication skills
- Reduce the impact of mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
- Create healthy boundaries with friends, roommates, or parents
- Navigate identity questions, gender expression, or cultural stressors
- Manage stress tied to school, work, or current events
- Recover from substance abuse, sex addiction, or burnout
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. We work alongside you, offering both structure and compassion as you strengthen your well-being, regain confidence, and move toward greater emotional freedom.
Why Choose Riviera Therapy
We understand that no two people have the same story. That’s why our therapists focus on building trust and offering tools tailored to your strengths and challenges. Our team includes licensed marriage and family therapists, experienced in working with adolescents, young adults, and parents.
- Licensed, experienced mental health professionals
- Santa Barbara location with evening and online therapy availability
- Specialized services for college students, professionals, and emerging adults
- Inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ clients and diverse communities
- A strong emphasis on healing, self-empowerment, and relational growth
- Availability of family counseling when appropriate
- A network of trusted referrals, including psychiatrists, nutritionists, and group programs
While we are not affiliated with Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, we share a commitment to high-quality, client-centered care in the Santa Barbara area.
Serving Santa Barbara Young Adults
We serve clients throughout Santa Barbara, including students from UCSB, Westmont, and SBCC, as well as local residents navigating early adulthood. Whether you’re 17, 22, or in your early 30s, we understand the complexities of this developmental stage.
Our services are open to both in network and private pay clients. We also support parents of teens and young adults who are seeking guidance on helping teens build resilience and connection during this pivotal time.
Begin Your Therapy Journey Today
Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, but it can also be the beginning of real change. If you’re ready to schedule your first session, we’ll guide you through the process and help you find a therapist who aligns with your goals.
At Riviera Therapy, we’re here to offer compassionate, informed care for the challenges of growing up, letting go, and becoming who you’re meant to be. Your mental health matters. Let’s begin your journey toward healing, together.
FAQs: Young Adult Counseling in Santa Barbara
We offer individual therapy, family therapy, and trauma-informed approaches using CBT, Emotion Focused Therapy, and somatic methods. Each plan is customized to your needs.
No. We work with a range of young adults, including college students, recent graduates, and working professionals. We also provide support for those in their teen years or late adolescence.
Yes. We provide secure online sessions for clients across California, with the same level of care as in-person visits.
Many of our clients are recovering from trauma, substance abuse, or complex life histories. We use behavioral interventions and trauma-informed practices to help you move forward safely and effectively.
If appropriate, we can include family therapy or family counseling as part of the treatment. We also support parents in understanding how best to help their child or young adult thrive.
Our Santa Barbara practice offers a deeply relational and skill-focused approach. We respect your autonomy and provide care that is thoughtful, affirming, and grounded in positive psychology and real-world tools.
