Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist · Santa Cruz, CA
Find your way
back to balance.
Compassionate, evidence-based therapy for teens and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and life's complex emotional challenges. Serving all of California.
Available for telehealth
Serving clients throughout California
About Aneesa
Deeply compassionate.
Thoughtfully trained.
Aneesa Elizabeth Vaez-Iravani supports teens and adults across California in navigating complex emotional and psychological challenges through compassionate, evidence-based care.
At LifeStance Health, she provides individual therapy, group therapy, and participates in intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. Aneesa works with clients ages 15 to 40, offering a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Her clinical approach is grounded in deep empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to helping clients reclaim balance and purpose in their lives.
15–40
Ages Served
LMFT
Licensed
CA
Statewide
Areas of Focus
Pathways to Healing
Aneesa specializes in treating trauma, mood disorders, and anxiety-related conditions with a deep understanding of each individual's unique experience.
Trauma & PTSD
Healing from traumatic experiences using a trauma-informed lens that acknowledges both the emotional and physiological impact of lived experiences.
Mood Disorders
Expert support for depression and bipolar disorder, helping you develop healthier thought patterns, emotional insight, and lasting resilience.
Anxiety
Working through anxiety-related conditions, intrusive thoughts, and OCD with tailored approaches that build calm and confidence.
Neurodivergent Support
Affirming care for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with ADHD, embracing neurodiversity as strength.
LGBTQ+ Affirming
A warm, affirming space for clients exploring identity, belonging, and self-expression within the LGBTQ+ community.
Teens & Young Adults
Specialized support for adolescents and young adults coping with school avoidance, emotional dysregulation, and navigating life transitions.
Aneesa also provides support for ADHD, OCD, and women's issues.
Therapeutic Approach
Rooted in
evidence,
guided by
empathy.
Aneesa draws from multiple evidence-based modalities, tailoring her approach to each client's unique needs. She helps clients build self-awareness and practical tools to navigate life's challenges with strength and clarity.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Identifying and reshaping unhelpful thought patterns to create lasting behavioral change and emotional relief.
DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Building distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills for navigating intense emotions.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
Processing traumatic memories to reduce their emotional charge and help you move forward with greater ease.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Practices
Cultivating present-moment awareness and self-compassion to build a grounded, reflective relationship with your inner world.
Everyone deserves a safe space to be seen, heard, and supported — exactly as they are.
Aneesa Vaez-Iravani, LMFT
What to Expect
Your journey begins with
a single step.
Taking the first step is often the hardest. Here's how we make it simple and supportive from day one.
Reach Out
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs and see if we're a good match. This is a no-pressure conversation.
Connect
Meet via secure telehealth from the comfort of your own space. We'll explore your goals and create a personalized plan.
Grow
Engage in consistent, supportive therapy sessions. Build insight, resilience, and the tools to navigate your unique path.
Get in Touch
Take the
first step.
Taking the first step toward healing is an act of courage. Fill out the form to request a free consultation, or reach out directly. Aneesa offers telehealth sessions throughout California.
Location
Santa Cruz, California
Telehealth available statewide
Sessions
Individual & Group Therapy
Intensive Outpatient Programs
At LifeStance Health
HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform
Request a Consultation
Free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we're a good fit.
Common Questions
Answers to help you
feel prepared.
I work with teens and adults ages 15 to 40. I have specialized experience supporting adolescents navigating school avoidance, emotional dysregulation, and identity development, as well as young adults facing life transitions and complex mental health challenges.
Yes! I provide telehealth therapy sessions to clients throughout California. This allows you to receive quality care from the comfort and privacy of your own space, whether you're in Santa Cruz or anywhere else in the state.
Our first session is about getting to know you. We'll discuss what brought you to therapy, your goals, and your history. This is also your chance to ask questions and see if we feel like a good fit. There's no pressure — the consultation call is a great first step.
I draw from several evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, and mindfulness-based practices. I tailor my approach to each client's unique needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all method.
Absolutely. I am deeply passionate about providing affirming, inclusive care for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you're navigating identity, relationships, or other challenges, my practice is a safe and welcoming space for you.
I have extensive experience working with neurodivergent individuals, including those on the autism spectrum and those with ADHD. I approach neurodivergence with affirmation and understanding, helping clients build on their strengths while developing practical tools for daily life.