Ranked #1 in Santa Barbara
Based in Santa Barbara
72/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Call center”.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Best Trauma And PTSD Therapists in Santa Barbara, CA (2026)
7 trauma and PTSD therapists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Santa Barbara: Inpatient Mental Health Finder-Depression PTSD Anxiety Call Center Santa Barbara, RP Score 72/100; 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 4
Most-reviewed: Riviera Therapy, 52 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 7 ranked; ranked #4.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
7 Santa Barbara trauma and PTSD therapists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 4 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 6 rated practices.
Top 7 trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Barbara at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inpatient Mental Health Finder-Depression PTSD Anxiety Call Center Santa Barbara | 72 | 5.0★ (4) | Santa Barbara | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Overall |
| 2 | Lauren Cumberbatch, LMFT, EMDR and Intensives | 63 | 5.0★ (4) | Santa Barbara | — | — |
| 3 | Coastline Therapy Group | 62 | 4.4★ (14) | Santa Barbara | Sat | — |
| 4 | Riviera Therapy | 61 | 4.8★ (52) | Santa Barbara | Evenings | Most reviews |
| 5 | Rise Healing Center | 60 | 4.8★ (16) | Santa Barbara | — | — |
| 6 | Katrina Johnson Therapy | 58 | 5.0★ (3) | Ventura, 25 mi away | Sat | — |
| 7 | Backpocket Counseling Services | 47 | — | Santa Barbara | Sat | — |
The 7 best trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Barbara, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in Santa Barbara
63/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Psychotherapist”.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Barbara
62/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews, based in Santa Barbara.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Barbara
61/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.8★ from 52 Google reviews, based in Santa Barbara.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Barbara
60/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.8★ from 16 Google reviews, based in Santa Barbara.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Ventura, 25 mi away
58/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “EMDR psychotherapist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Barbara
47/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of proximity and its claimed profile: based in Santa Barbara, a claimed profile.
How we ranked Santa Barbara trauma and PTSD therapists
We scored 7 Santa Barbara trauma and PTSD therapists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 12, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Santa Barbara data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Measured |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a trauma and PTSD therapist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure trauma and PTSD therapy is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Ask about their training in a named trauma therapy (CPT, PE or EMDR) and whether they hold a certification in it.
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a trauma and PTSD therapist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How much of your work is trauma and PTSD therapy?
- Which trauma therapy do you use, and how many sessions does it usually take?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Barbara: frequently asked questions
Who is the best trauma and PTSD therapist in Santa Barbara?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked trauma and PTSD therapist in Santa Barbara, CA is Inpatient Mental Health Finder-Depression PTSD Anxiety Call Center Santa Barbara with an RP Score of 72/100. It has 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Lauren Cumberbatch, LMFT, EMDR and Intensives (#2) and Coastline Therapy Group (#3) follow. We ranked 7 trauma and PTSD therapists on eight factors, last updated November 12, 2026.
How many trauma and PTSD therapists are there in Santa Barbara?
RankedPsychologists ranks 7 trauma and PTSD therapists serving Santa Barbara, CA. 6 of them are based in Santa Barbara; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Barbara work on weekends?
4 of 7 ranked trauma and PTSD therapists post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Inpatient Mental Health Finder-Depression PTSD Anxiety Call Center Santa Barbara (#1), Coastline Therapy Group (#3) and Katrina Johnson Therapy (#6). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do Santa Barbara trauma and PTSD therapists have?
The median Google rating among 6 rated trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Barbara is 4.9★, with a median of 9 reviews. Riviera Therapy has the most, 52 reviews, and ranks #4. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank trauma and PTSD therapists?
Each trauma and PTSD therapist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do trauma and PTSD therapists outside Santa Barbara count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Santa Barbara city center, our service radius for trauma and PTSD therapists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can trauma and PTSD therapists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Barbara ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on trauma and PTSD therapy and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
What therapies are used for trauma and PTSD?
Trauma-focused therapies include cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Ask which one a therapist uses and what training they completed in it.
Can I see a trauma and PTSD therapist online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for Santa Barbara
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 7 trauma and PTSD therapists serving Santa Barbara.
More trauma and PTSD therapists and Santa Barbara pages
Trauma and PTSD therapists near Santa Barbara
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- Trauma and PTSD therapists in Ventura, CA5 ranked
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- Trauma and PTSD therapists in Santa Paula, CA12 ranked
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Other specialties in Santa Barbara
- Psychologists in Santa Barbara23 ranked
- Therapists and counselors in Santa Barbara90 ranked
- Child and teen therapists in Santa Barbara7 ranked
- Couples therapists in Santa Barbara34 ranked
- Family therapists in Santa Barbara26 ranked
- Eating disorder therapists in Santa Barbara9 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Santa Barbara48 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Santa Barbara8 ranked
- Addiction counselors in Santa Barbara45 ranked
- All psychologists in Santa Barbara