Maxcy Dancy, LMFT
Individual, MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST, #113104
Welcome to Coastal Counseling in Ventura
Your Path to Healing and Growth
At Coastal Counseling, we know that life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Located in the heart of Ventura, our therapy practice offers a compassionate and supportive space for individuals and couples to explore their struggles, uncover inner strength, and create lasting change. Whether you're managing anxiety, navigating difficult family dynamics, or wanting to improve your confidence, we’re here to guide you on your unique path to healing and self-discovery with our counseling services Ventura.
Why Choose Coastal Counseling?
At Coastal Counseling, our approach is completely tailored to you—where you are in life, your needs, and your goals. We don’t rely on generic handouts or rigid methods. Instead, we’re committed to helping you build a deeper understanding of your mind and actions while nurturing a gentler, wiser relationship with yourself.
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and we pride ourselves on meeting every client exactly where they are. Whether you’re just starting your self-discovery journey or you’re ready to tackle specific challenges, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Who We Help:
Coastal Counseling proudly serves the Ventura community and Agoura Hills Community. Our clients include a diverse range of individuals, including professionals, college students, teens, couples, retirees and local residents. If you’ve been searching for a therapist who truly listens, understands, and offers tools tailored to your unique experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Located in Ventura and Agoura Hills
Maxcy’s offices are conveniently located in both Ventura and Agoura Hills, California. Maxcy sees client’s at both locations. Her offices are easily accessible to individuals in nearby areas including, Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Barbara, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Calabasas and Malibu.
Take the First Step Towards Healing
Maxcy is committed to providing a safe and compassionate space for individuals and couples to find healing and growth. She understands that seeking therapy can be daunting, but it is also an act of courage and self-care.
Your Journey Starts Here
Life can be tough, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Coastal Counseling, every step you take is an act of courage, self-growth, and self-care. Together, we will work toward a fuller, healthier, and more authentic life.
Take the first step towards healing—contact us today to schedule your session. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Please reach out today for a 20 minute complimentary consultation or schedule an intake appointment here.
Specialties and Who We Treat
Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety is a natural human response to stress or danger. It's a feeling of fear or worry that can manifest in different ways, from physical symptoms like increased heart rate and rapid breathing, to emotional symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating. We understand that anxiety can be overwhelming and negatively impact your daily life if left unaddressed. That's why we offer specialized therapy for anxiety management, using evidence-based techniques to help you break free from worry and avoidance. We assist clients to overcome anxiety by cultivating acceptance of thoughts and feelings, while fostering mindfulness and psychological flexibility. The goal is to help individuals live meaningful lives by embracing emotions and breaking free from worry and avoidance, ultimately promoting peace and growth beyond fear.
adhd support
We specialize in helping individuals cope with ADHD by offering a range of strategies designed to improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and enhance daily functioning. Our approach includes personalized coaching sessions, practical exercises, and evidence-based techniques that promote long-term success. It's my commitment to ensure each of my clients receives understanding and professional guidance tailored to their unique needs and experiences. By taking the time to understand each person's specific challenges and strengths, we craft a comprehensive plan that supports their journey to better manage ADHD and lead a more fulfilling life.
YOUNG ADULT
The transition into adulthood can be an incredibly overwhelming experience. This is a time when many young adults are figuring out what direction to take in life. While at the same time learning how to do all the “adulting” work that comes with being a responsible adult. Many find themselves stuck at an in-between phase, possibly not financially independent and unable to live fully autonomous lives (i.e. failure to launch). This often develops depression or anxiety, which in turn, make change even harder. Or on the flip side, others may become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of adult life and neglect important mental development experiences such as having close/romantic relationships, traveling or spending time with friends. This way of living may lead to an accomplished work life but little connection to all that makes us alive. These are challenges, but therapy can help one to work through them, discover inner wants and desires, live a fulfilling, meaningful life.
COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS
We offer comprehensive support for individuals facing challenges with compulsive behaviors they wish to overcome. This includes issues like excessive shopping, eating disorders, trichotillomania (hair pulling), and substance misuse. Our services aim to help individuals uncover the root causes, develop effective coping strategies, and work towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
COUPLES in Conflict
Couples Therapy is designed for those who need assistance in identifying and resolving conflicts that are currently causing problems in the relationship. This therapeutic process involves open communication and understanding to address the core issues affecting the couple's dynamic. It aims to help rebuild trust, enhance emotional intimacy, and heal the relationship. Alternatively, for relationships that have reached an impasse, this therapy can offer a structured approach to becoming unstuck. It provides a safe space for individuals to explore their feelings, decide on the future of their relationship, and, if necessary, separate amicably so they can move forward in their lives with clarity and purpose.
LIFE TRANSITIONS
Life presents numerous challenges and changes, such as relocating to a new city, which might involve adjusting to a different culture and finding new social circles, or ending a relationship that served as a foundation for a long period, resulting in emotional upheaval. Starting a family introduces new responsibilities and dynamics that can be both exciting and daunting, while losing a job can create financial strain and uncertainty about the future. At times, we may feel stuck during these transitions, unable to progress or find a clear path forward. These shifts can be confusing, overwhelming, or leave us feeling conflicted and hesitant to act due to mixed emotions and fear of the unknown. Engaging with a therapist can provide valuable support and insight, helping you comprehend your situation more deeply, clarify your needs and desires, and work toward a fulfilling resolution that aligns with your personal goals and values.
GRIEF
Grief is a profoundly challenging experience that everyone encounters at some point in life. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a breakup, the end of a significant relationship, the loss of a dream or goal, or even the passing of a beloved pet, grief manifests in many forms. Yet sometimes we can get stuck in grief, sadness and loss in a way that feels unmanageable and make us unrecognizable to ourselves. Sometimes we can’t function or enjoy the life we have due to the overwhelming experience of our feelings. Many people try to ignore or suppress their grief and yet often this has the paradoxical effect of making it last longer and make us feel even more lost and distressed. Often opening up and talking about your grief can actually alleviate the intensity of the pain over time. Engaging with a therapist specialized in grief counseling can facilitate your healing process and help you reengage with life fully.
Difficult Relationships
We assist clients dealing with challenging relationships, whether they're facing communication breakdowns, trust issues, or family conflict. Our approach focuses on fostering understanding, developing empathy, and enhancing interpersonal skills to find healing and improve these relationships. Some common relationship issues we often see are mother-daughter, father-son, or couples' relationships. You might be uncertain about whether this relationship can get better. Our work will be to help you gain deeper insights, enhance your communication, and ultimately decide whether the relationship can heal.
Eating disorders
In the United States alone, an estimated 20 million women and 10 million men have or have had an eating disorder at some point in their life. There are many forms of eating disorders, the most common being binge eating, bulimia nervosa and anorexia but all are marked by an obsession around food and body shape and behaviors such as restriction of food, food binges, or purging behaviors like vomiting or over-exercising. These obsessions and harmful behaviors have often developed as a way to cope with painful emotions or events occurring in the person’s life. We address challenges related to eating disorders, with a particular focus on binge eating and lifelong dieting behaviours. We treat eating disorders by thoroughly understanding the underlying psychological and emotional issues that contribute to these conditions. Our approach involves working closely with clients to help them build a fulfilling life, rich with meaning and purpose, by setting achievable goals and providing ongoing support throughout their recovery journey.
SHAME
Shame is a powerful emotion that can deeply affect a person's self-esteem and mental well-being. It often stems from feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, or guilt and can pervade various aspects of life, leading to self-doubt and isolation. Chronic shame can manifest as negative self-talk, a lack of self-confidence, and avoidance of social interactions, ultimately hindering personal growth and fulfillment. At Malibu Lake Therapy, we understand that overcoming shame is essential for healing and living a full life. Our approach focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment where you can explore the sources of your shame without judgment. Through compassionate therapy, we help you challenge negative beliefs, develop self-compassion, and build resilience. By addressing these feelings head-on, we aim to empower you to embrace your true self and lead a life filled with purpose, connection, and joy.
FAMILY
Family therapy is a therapeutic approach that aims to reduce conflicts and improve relationships within families. It achieves this by teaching healthier communication methods and providing tools to foster a sense of connection and respect. Through guided sessions, family members are encouraged to understand each other's perspectives, leading to greater empathy and love. This approach not only addresses immediate issues but also helps build a stronger, more supportive family dynamic over time.
Evidence-Based & Depth Therapy
We provide a personalized, integrative therapy approach, including modern psychoanalytic, intersubjective relational, somatic psychotherapy, evidence based approaches including CBT, ACT, DBT, couples counseling, and walk and talk therapy.