Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson (she/her) is the co-author (with Dan Siegel) of two New York Times bestsellers -- THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD (Random House 2011), and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE (Random House 2014) -- each of which has been translated into over fifty languages, with THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD selling over a million copies. Dr. Bryson is also the author of THE BOTTOM LINE FOR BABY (Random House 2020) and co-author (with Dan Siegel) of THE POWER OF SHOWING UP (Random House 2020) and THE YES BRAIN (Random House 2018). She has just completed the manuscript for THE WAY OF PLAY (Random House 2025), co-authored with Georgie Wisen-Vincent.

Tina is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection (“CFC”), a multidisciplinary clinical practice; of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens; and The Center for Connection and Neurodiversity, a wing of the CFC devoted to celebrating neurodifferences and providing brain-based occupational therapy across the lifespan. Learn more here.

William Lacey-bisetty, phd

Dr. William Lacey-Bisetty is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults. His clinical expertise for neuropsychological assessment includes diagnosis, academic and treatment planning for individuals with neurodevelopmental concerns (e.g., learning disorders, AD/HD), traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, complex emotional difficulties, and other complex medical conditions. Domains of psychotherapy expertise include depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, behavior difficulties/ADHD, trauma and grief, gender affirming care, and peripartum depression. Dr. Lacey-Bisetty has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma & Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents, Parent Management Training, Parent Child Interaction Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Learn more here.

DAVID TALAVERA, phd

Dr. David Talavera is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults seeking growth, connection, and resilience. Whether you’re facing burnout, stress, anxiety, communication issues, comparisons and self-esteem challenges, grief, depression, or trauma, Dr. Talavera is here to guide you through it with warmth and compassion.

Dr. Talavera’s approach to therapy is all about you. He has a client-centered approach where he’ll work with you to have a deeper understanding of complex emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to better navigate life’s challenges and work towards a future aligned with your goals and values. Together, you'll develop strategies to cope with hardships, promote healing, and ultimately be your own therapist. Learn more here.

Vincent Gonzales, amft

Vincent, a descendant of the Chickasaw Nation and the Mexica, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. He has an extensive background in working with people on their healing journey through addiction, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, and finding meaning. He currently is offering services for teens, adults and couples.

Vincent’s therapeutic philosophy focuses on addressing the entirety of a person as he believes mental health requires holistic attention and compassionate understanding. He utilizes empirically supported practices to address each individual’s areas of need while also integrating any and all cultural backgrounds. It is Vincent’s ultimate goal to collaborate and work towards identifying each person’s own guiding values and ally in integrating that compass into everyday life. Learn more here.

volney tavarez, lmft

Volney Tavarez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who supports infants, children, and caregivers through the natural challenges and touchpoints of each stage of development. She was a 2024 fellow of the Napa Institute for Parent and Infant Mental Health at UC Davis, and specializes in providing developmentally-informed relational interventions to support the growing bonds between parents and babies. 

Volney knows, both professionally and personally, the unexpected emotional, physical, and relational challenges that parenthood can bring. She believes that parents and caregivers deserve a warm and supportive therapeutic relationship so that they can provide the best care for themselves and their families. She deeply appreciates the transformative power of warmly attuned relationships through depression and anxiety, during pregnancy or through infertility, when struggling with postpartum adjustments, dealing with parenting stress, or navigating changes in families. Learn more here.

Merushka Lacey-Bisetty, psyd

Dr. Merushka Lacey-Bisetty is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and has been providing therapy and assessment services to children, teenagers, adults, and families in Santa Barbara County since 2017. She believes in fostering a safe and nurturing environment in which kids and teens are encouraged and guided to explore and process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Dr. Lacey-Bisetty provides client-centered, culturally-informed, and evidence-based services using psychodynamic therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. She specializes in diagnosing and treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and psychosis. In addition to her therapy practice, she conducts forensic psychological assessments for Courts and agencies in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles. Learn more here.