Molly Pearl
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #136128
Santa Cruz Office
Medi-Cal provider
We are social beings that thrive on connection and a sense of belonging. I believe therapy is
the most effective when we feel truly seen; that we matter. Seeking support can feel daunting
and it takes courage to reach out and ask for help. Thank you for stopping here to learn more
about me.
Hello. My name is Molly and I support individuals and couples in accessing their own innate
wisdom and healing potential. My style is humanistic and transpersonal. I find that the deepest,
most impactful changes take place when we address issues holistically. We do this by
engaging the mind (through talking/processing), the body (through movement, breath, or
somatic techniques), and the spirit (through presence, expanded consciousness, meditation
practices, etc.).
My approach is collaborative and respectful. I envision myself walking alongside my clients
through the wild landscape of their experience. The path may take unexpected twists and
turns. My role is to companion my clients and respect their unique journey. I can offer a
steadying hand when things get rocky, or an illuminating flashlight into the shadows we
encounter along the way. I also like metaphor… and well-placed humor.
I bring my sincerity, compassion, and open-hearted curiosity into the therapeutic relationship in
order to create a safe and nurturing space where we can build interpersonal connection and
resonance. I help clients to recognize and disentangle themselves from habits or beliefs that no
longer serve them. Together we can address issues happening in the present, and explore how
they might be rooted in the past, such as with attachment wounds or developmental trauma.
The lens through which I practice is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally humble. I
am LGBTQIA+ affirming and sex-positive. I incorporate a variety of theoretical models and
tools into my sessions including mindfulness practices, somatic techniques, creative
expression, relational, cognitive, role-play, parts work, and psychodynamic approaches.
As a former licensed massage therapist, mindful vinyasa yoga instructor, and ecstatic dance
facilitator, I have experienced first hand the power of movement and embodied practices to
heal and integrate emotional pain, grief, and trauma. I received my BA in Psychology from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my MA in Counseling Psychology from Sofia University
in Palo Alto (formerly the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology).
I am available weekday mornings and early afternoons for appointments in-person at the Santa
Cruz office as well as via Video/Telehealth. I also believe in the healing power of nature and can
meet for Ecotherapy sessions, weather and schedule permitting. Wishing you well.
Request an Appointment
To Request an Appointment at Shine a Light or NPCC, please fill out this form. We respond to inquiries Monday through Friday. All inquiries we receive on the weekends or holidays will be processed the next business day. Thank you for your patience. If you need immediate services, please call 911.
Therapist/Agency Referrals
Agency Inquiries
New Office in San Francisco!
Shine a Light Counseling Center is please to merge with New Perspectives Center for Counseling. NPCC has been serving the San Francisco community for thirty years. Now NPCC is transitioning to become the San Francisco site for Shine a Light. NPCC will retain its name, character and history. For information about NPCC or counseling in San Francisco:
New Perspectives Center for Counseling (link)
Emergency Contact
Shine a Light does not provide crisis services. If you have a mental health emergency, call 988 or 911. Or click here for more Crisis Resources
Telephone Contact
You can call Shine a Light at 831-996-1222, but we encourage you to use the email forms to the left. If you call, please leave the following:
- Phone number
- Preferred location
- Best times to meet
- Issue you want help with
- What insurance you have (if any)
FAX us at: 831-417-0443
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your therapy sessions will cost. Your fee will be set according to a sliding scale, in collaboration with your therapist, prior to your first counseling session. Total costs depend upon the number of sessions you choose to utilize.
If you have private health insurance and we are not in-network with your plan, please be aware that your costs for therapy may be less by using an in-network provider. This will depend upon your plan's deductible amounts and co-payments. In some cases, counseling at Shine a Light is less costly than using private insurance.
If you hope to use "out of network" benefits through your private insurance, please be aware that many plans will not reimburse for services provided by trainees. Please request an Associate level therapists for out-of-network billing.
Find us on Facebook