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Chelsea Sutter, LMFT, MMFT(She/Her/Hers)

(She/Her/Hers)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
California
ADHD-Attachment issues-Autism spectrum disorder-Medical professionals' mental health-Burnout-Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)-
AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & Fees

Professional statement

Chelsea Sutter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Tustin, CA who works with teens, adults, couples, and families navigating burnout, complex trauma, chronic stress, and relationship challenges. She frequently works with helping professionals, such as other therapists, physicians/nurses, first responders, teachers, or attorneys. Many of her clients feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns of over-functioning, people-pleasing, and survival mode.

Chelsea offers a warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach to therapy that supports nervous system regulation, self-understanding, and sustainable healing. She integrates modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, and somatic work to help clients learn how to shift away from survival mode and into a space that’s compassionate and balanced.

As a neurodivergent and HAES-aligned therapist, Chelsea values authenticity, body trust, and compassionate care that honors each client’s unique lived experience. She has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and those healing from relational trauma/complex trauma and emotional fatigue.

Chelsea earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University, and provides both in-person therapy in Tustin and virtual sessions throughout California.


Message to clients

I love the push and pull of therapy when my clients and I have a strong relationship. Some sessions people show up in pajamas with snacks and an iced coffee, using art or other creative ways to explore what’s coming up for them. Other sessions are focused and deep, working through tough relationship patterns or traumas. And sometimes things are a little lighter and clients are lying on the couch, cuddling their pets, and talking about the latest reality TV drama (yes, I do love a good reality show and I will ask to see your fur babies, you can definitely ask to see mine).

It’s important to me to hold a balance of warmth and compassion, while also gently challenging clients to go deeper or notice when avoidance shows up. You can’t have growth in sessions without a safe therapeutic relationship, but safety without growth can start to keep things stuck and end up creating more anxiety in the long run. At its core, I hope therapy with me helps clients slow down enough to actually hear themselves again and make more sustainable, supportive changes in their lives.


Work and Education

Years of Experience: 7 years

Earth and Sea Counseling Services, Therapist/Owner, 2024 - Present
UnitedHealthcare/Optum Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Care Advocate, 2022 - 2024
Diamond Cultural Family Therapy and Consulting Center, Clinician, 2020 - 2022
Childnet Youth and Family Services, Clinician, 2019 - 2020

Chapman University, Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, 2019

Licensure

California: 130686

Languages

English

Specialties

ADHD - Skill-building and support around organizational challenges, distracted attention, procrastination; building and maintaining healthy routines and structure

Attachment issues - Development of effective relational and communication skills; insight into family attachment patterns;fostering healthy family relationships.

Autism spectrum disorder - Support understanding the diagnosis and related challenges and strengths; skill-building in areas of daily routine, transitions, coping with overwhelming sensory experiences, social skills, and emotion identification and regulation

Medical professionals' mental health - Support navigating work-related expectations and stress; addressing issues of burnout, hierarchical pressures, and vicarious trauma

Burnout - Managing and recovering from stressors that lead to feelings of decreased motivation and disconnection from the self; practicing effective self-care and finding ways to relax both physically and mentally

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) - Recovering from the impact of long-term, repeated traumatic events, such as emotional abuse and neglect




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours


Insurance

    Chelsea Sutter is accepting clients paying listed fees or using health insurance out-of-network benefits other than:

    • Aetna
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • All Savers Insurance Company
    • Allied Benefit Systems
    • EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
    • GEHA
    • Loyola Marymount University Student Health Insurance (Aetna)
    • Mass General Brigham
    • Meritain Health
    • Nippon Life Benefits
    • Occidental College Student Health Insurance (Aetna)
    • Optum
    • Oscar Health
    • Oxford Health Plans
    • Pomona College Student Health Insurance (Aetna)
    • Surest (formerly Bind)
    • Trustmark
    • UMR
    • United Healthcare
    • United Healthcare Student Health Plan
    • United Medical Resources
    • University of Southern California Student Health Insurance (Aetna)

    Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


    Out-of-pocket fees

    • Individual sessions:$200 (50min)
    • Sliding scale:$125 - $200

    Additional session information

    Out-of-network billing options

    This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

    • Super billing
    Payment options
    • Cash
    • Credit Card
    • Debit Card
    • IvyPay
    Session frequency

    Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

    • Weekly
    • Monthly
    • Every other week
    Therapist's note

    For client's requesting a reduced fee, I utilize the Green Bottle Method, developed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk, to insure accessibility and sustainability for both my clients and myself. At the moment, my lowest reduced fee option is $125/session. I am happy to assist in navigating out of network benefits for reimbursement as well. Feel free to contact me with any questions.


    Book a Free Initial Consultation

    The practice will call you for a free 10 minute phone call to discuss your needs and ensure a match!

    This provider has no upcoming call times available.