Meet the Team

iNDIVIDUAL THERAPY, GROUP THERAPY, CLINICAL SUPERVISON, CONSULTATION, EMDR

Claire Blakey, MA, LMFT, PMH-C

Owner + Clinical Director

claire@thrivetherapysb.com | Schedule a complimentary consultation

Welcome! I’m Claire Blakey, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Group Owner + Clinical Director.

I founded Thrive Therapy because I believe that every individual has the ability to thrive through the challenges of life and I believe therapy can be an incredible vessel to cultivate this change.

Thrive holds a special place in my heart, because to thrive means to grow through the hard things you go through, and paired with therapy, I can’t imagine a better word to describe the grit, tenacity and courage it takes to look inward and courageously lean into healing.

My style is warm, approachable, like having a cup of coffee with a good friend, except they are a licensed therapist and have the qualifications and skills to support in diagnosing, treating and facilitating healing and growth in your journey. I incorporate flavors of: cognitive behavioral therapy, strength based therapy, person centered therapy and trauma informed care.


Areas of focus Claire often support clients navigating:

  • Perinatal mental health (all things pregnancy + postpartum, assessing and treating postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, processing challenging or traumatic births, navigating matrescense and the transitions that come in newfound parenthood)

  • Religious trauma and deconstruction processing

  • Estranged family dynamics, inner child work, unlearning and unraveling how your childhood has impacted your attachment style, better understanding your coping mechanisms and how you form attachment as an adult, in relationship, in breakups, in friendship and parenthood

  • Boundaries and communication, strengthening your identity and synthesizing your lived experiences as you propel yourself towards healing + a way forward

  • Eating disorders and body image

    • Specifically the in-between (maybe you’ve never been diagnosed with an eating disorder, but you recognize you have a complicated relationship with your body and food and want to find healing)

  • Grief (whether the loss of a dear human in your life, the loss of a friendship, the ending of a season of life, or the pain of betrayal, divorce, heartbreak or other life transitions)

  • Trauma

    • EMDR for perinatal trauma or other challenging lived experiences

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

Education + Clinical Licenses:

Registered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, treating clients throughout the State of California.

Clinical Supervisor in compliance with the Board of Behavioral Sciences, supervising associates (AMFT, ACSW, APCC) towards licensure in the State of California.

Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Masters of Clinical Psychology Program at Pepperdine University

Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Masters of Clinical Psychology Program at Antioch University, Santa Barbara

Master of Clinical Psychology, Antioch University, Santa Barbara, Concentration in Healthy Aging

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology + Communication, California State University Channel Islands

Advanced Trainings:

Perinatal EMDR Training, Institute of Create Mindfulness

Perinatal Mental Health Certified, Postpartum Support International

Perinatal Mental Health and Mood Disorders, PSI

Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy, PSI

Eating Disorders Components of Care Core Courses: International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals

Noteworthy achievements:

Nominated Santa Barbara County’s Therapist + Leader of the Year in 2023

Currently serves as Past-President of the Santa Barbara Chapter of Marriage and Family Therapists (2024-2025), Previously held the role of President (2021-2023), Vice President/President Elect (2019-2020), Director of Pre-Licensing (2017-2019)

Nominated Santa Barbara County’s Therapist + Leader of the Year in 2020

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Leadership Cohort (2018-2020)

  • Research done on Enneagram and DisC in leadership for therapists

Fun facts:

Claire has lived in five countries, is a dual citizen and the first female in her family to go to college and subsequently, graduate school and become a licensed therapist. Claire is a mom of two incredible humans and is often found frequenting local coffee shops, making plans to travel + see the world, and carves out ample time to staycation in beautiful SB — soaking up lots of beach time with friends.

Associate therapists

Currently, Claire is supervising associate therapists through the Center for Psychotherapy and Integrative Health in downtown Santa Barbara.

If you are looking to use your insurance, Claire’s associates take CenCal + offer a sliding scale cash pay rate.

Current associates under Claire’s clinical license and supervision:

Hattie Bluestone

Tristan Westerhoff

Bethany Hull

Karalea Richards

Previous associates (either now licensed or transitioned on to other sites):

Annie Dreese

Becca Gasperoni

Taryn Walker

It’s time to thrive—schedule a free consultation today.