Contact Me
For any questions you have, you can reach me here:
Nancy Chen Marden, MS, MFT
5266 Hollister Ave. Suite 327
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
805.826.3389
humanistic psychotherapist
COVID-19 Update: All services are currently provided online through secure telehealth video calls.
About Me
NANCY CHEN MARDEN, MS, MFT
humanistic psychotherapist
Lotus Blossom Counseling is dedicated to the idea that the human spirit prevails in the midst of our deepest sufferings. As human beings, we all possess the innate capacity, courage, and wisdom to overcome the difficulties presented to us in life. We are all capable of holding our most difficult experiences and healing our deepest wounds. Sometimes we just need a little guidance, support, and understanding to assist us in finding our own strength to grow, create, and heal. My focus is on helping people free themselves from disabling core beliefs and assumptions in order to live fuller and more balanced lives. In this sense, my philosophy aligns with the humanistic branch of psychotherapy.
My road to becoming a psychotherapist began with my own search for meaning in life. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Economics, I was quickly disenchanted with corporate America and knew I wasn't where I needed to be. My journey of self-discovery, introspection, and personal growth led me to the field of counseling. Once I was on this path, I knew I had found what I was meant to do. My work gave me a sense of meaning, purpose, and value alignment. I knew that helping others change the narratives of their lives was how I made sense of mine.
My practice welcomes diversity of all kinds: racial and ethnic identities, sexual orientations, relationship configurations, socio-economic status, gender identities, and religious beliefs. Given my own background as an ethnic minority and immigrant, I
understand the role culture plays in our own development as well as how we interact with others. The bulk of my clinical experience has been in working with culturally diverse populations, which helped cultivate my cultural competence as a clinician. I value and appreciate the uniqueness our diverse backgrounds brings and am mindful about how that influences who we are and the choices we make.
In my work with couples, I have received training from the Gottman Method as well as Emotionally Focused Therapy, both of which are empirically validated approaches to treating relationship distress. In working with individuals, I have been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) to address past trauma and I am currently in the process of becoming certified in the clinical approach. I am also trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is another empirically validated treatment modality that helps clients live life mindfully based on their chosen values.
On a more personal note, what I find joy and nourishment outside my work as a therapist is spending time with my family and friends, eating good ethnic foods, seeing the world, music, creating art, meditation & yoga practices, reading, trying new recipes, and spending time in nature.
CONTACT ME
5266 Hollister Ave | Suite 327 | Santa Barbara | CA 93111
