Therapist in Santa Monica, California Elena Cacace, Therapist

Elena Cacace, LMFT, helps children, adolescents, teens, and adults find stability, emotional relief, and healthier relationships through compassionate, skill-based therapy. Serving patients throughout California, she provides individual and family therapy designed to support meaningful change, whether someone is navigating anxiety, trauma, or complex family dynamics. At LifeStance Health, Elena creates a safe, grounded space where patients feel understood and supported as they work toward improved mental health and daily functioning.

Elena has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, including teens, who are struggling with emotional regulation, school avoidance, and behavioral challenges, as well as adults facing anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her clinical focus includes trauma-informed care, childhood and adolescent mental health, and family systems work. She incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family therapy, and mindfulness approaches, while offering additional therapeutic methods as needed to meet each patient’s unique goals. Elena also works with select populations, including individuals involved in adoption or foster care and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

A central passion of Elena’s work is supporting individuals who have been recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital. She understands that this transition can feel overwhelming for both patients and families, and she prioritizes continuity of care, emotional stabilization, and rebuilding trust in daily life. Elena is also highly experienced in parental custody-related concerns, helping families navigate high-conflict situations with a focus on the well-being of children and the long-term health of family relationships.

Outside of her clinical work, Elena enjoys staying active through sports such as tennis, working out, and taking long walks on the beach. She also loves cooking, sharing meals, and spending quality time laughing with family and friends, valuing connection as an essential part of a balanced life.