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 Master 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.
Areas of focus Annie often treats:
Pregnant and postpartum women
New parents (individual and couples)
Parents of young children
Including parents struggling with children’s behavioral problems, and
Parents of children with special needs navigating the school system
Anxiety
Trauma
Education + Clinical Experience:
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #137377 by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, treating clients throughout the State of California, under the clinical supervision of Claire Blakey, LMFT #119518.
California Institute of Integral Studies, Masters in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Community Mental Health
Dartmouth College, Bachelor of Arts in Geography and English, minor in Education
Additional Trainings:
Perinatal Mental Health and Mood Disorders, PSI
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy, PSI
EMDR Training Course: EMDR in Clinical Practice (Part 1 and Part 2), EMDR Consultants
Infant Parent Psychotherapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Perinatal Mental Health/Reproductive Justice Training, Intensive Practice-Based Training in Multicultural Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, one year traineeship, UCSF + Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
PCIT For Traumatized Children, 10 hour course, UC Davis Children's Hospital
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Introductory Web Course, UC Davis Children's Hospital
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), 2 Day Course, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Fun facts:
Annie enjoys spending time in the beautiful nature of Santa Barbara and can often be found frequenting local parks with her family or soaking up time at the beach. She has a cat named Bob and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
“My style is warm and focused on your strengths (you are the expert on your life and children!) and with a dose of humor (laughter can be medicine!). Using psychodynamic and relational frameworks, as well as Trauma-Focused CBT techniques, I will support you to connect dots, evaluate mindsets and beliefs, and create space for you to hear your own inner intuition and voice and gain clarity on whatever challenges you are currently facing.”
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, GROUPS, FAMILIES, EARLY PARENTING, EMDR
Annie Dreese, MA, AMFT, PMH-C in process
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
*Annie is currently on maternity leave. If you want to be on her return from maternity leave and future availability waitlist, connect with us here. We will reply with an anticipated start date and provide referrals if you are in need of immediate support. | Schedule a complimentary consultation
I'm Annie, and I am honored to be an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Thrive Therapy! I bring 10 years of experience working with families; prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in the education field as an early childhood and elementary school teacher, parent education coordinator and program director.
As a mom to a toddler and expecting a baby on the way, I know first-hand how tender, messy and transformational the pregnancy and postpartum period can be and how this identity shift and challenge only continue on as our children grow and change! It is a privilege to walk alongside you in your journey through these critical life phases. I believe that creating a trusting relationship is the foundation of effective therapy. I believe in meeting you wherever you are.
Prior to working with Thrive, I completed my clinical practicum at the UCSF Infant-Parent Program at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital where I supported pregnant and postpartum women and families with children ages 0-3. In addition to working with Thrive Therapy, I work for CALM as a Pediatric Mental Health Therapist. CALM’s mission is to prevent childhood trauma, heal children and families, and build resilient communities throughout Santa Barbara County.
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #137377 under the clinical supervision of Claire Blakey, LMFT #119518