Mental Health Counselor in Laguna Hills, CA
Something in your life doesn’t feel right, and you already know it. Maybe it’s a relationship that’s wearing you down. Maybe it’s the weight of carrying everyone else’s needs while quietly losing touch with your own. Maybe you love someone who is struggling with an addiction, and you don’t know how to support them without feeling overwhelmed. Whatever brought you here, I want you to know: you don’t have to keep carrying this alone.
My name is Cecilia (Ceci) Addams. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 45251), and for over two decades I’ve had the privilege of sitting with women, and now also men, during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and watching them find their way through.
My approach is person-centered. I believe that real healing happens when you feel genuinely seen, heard, and validated, not analyzed or judged. I create a SAFE space where you can bring your whole self, ask the questions you’re afraid to ask, and begin to find the clarity that’s been out of reach. Together, we work from the inside out, not just addressing the symptoms, but reconnecting you with your most authentic self, and with what matters most to you.
If you’re ready to take that first step, I’d love to hear from you. Call me today at 949-431-0497.
Counseling Services in Laguna Hills and Throughout California
I work with individual adults of all genders, with a particular focus on women’s issues, codependency, and the deeper patterns that shape our lives and relationships. All of my counseling sessions are currently held online via Zoom, which means you can work with me from anywhere in California.
Women’s Counseling
So many women I work with come in feeling like they’ve lost themselves somewhere along the way, in their relationships, their roles, their endless to-do lists. Women’s counseling is a space just for you, to reconnect with who you are, what you need, and what you deserve. Whether you’re navigating self-worth, boundaries, codependency, or simply the exhaustion of always being the one to show up for everyone else, we work through it together.
Counseling for Marriage and Relationship Challenges
Every relationship goes through seasons. Some of those seasons are beautiful. Others are painful, confusing, or feel like you’re talking to a stranger across the dinner table. The work we do together happens in our individual sessions, focused on you and your part in the relationship. When you shift how you show up, the dynamic between you and your spouse / partner changes too.
Counseling for Family Challenges
Families are complex: they are the source of some of our deepest wounds, as well as the catalyst for our deepest healing. Whether you are navigating a difficult relationship with an adult child, a parent, a teen who is pulling away, or unresolved family generational trauma patterns, the work happens one-to-one in our sessions. I work individually with adults who want to bring more peace and understanding into their family relationships.
Addiction Counseling for Loved Ones and Those in Sobriety
When someone you love is struggling with addiction, the pain doesn’t just belong to them. It ripples through everyone who loves them. I work primarily with individuals affected by a loved one’s addiction, helping you navigate the confusion, grief, anger, and exhaustion of watching someone you care about struggle. I also work with individuals who are actively maintaining their sobriety and want compassionate support in their recovery journey.
Heart-Centered Therapy
When the mind and the heart are working against each other, it’s hard to find peace in anything. My approach to therapy honors both the intellectual understanding of what is happening in your life and the emotional truth of how it actually FEELS. This kind of work goes deeper than strategies and coping tools. It’s about coming back to yourself, learning to listen to your own inner wisdom, and reconnecting with the kind of life that feels genuinely and authentically yours.
About Ceci
I’m Cecilia (Ceci) Addams, MS, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 45251), and I’ve been working with clients in Laguna Hills, throughout Orange County, and now across California for over two decades. My areas of focus include women’s issues, codependency, relationship dynamics, the impact of addiction on families, and the deep personal work that creates lasting change rather than just surface-level symptom relief.
I believe that every person I work with is capable of more than what they currently see in themselves. My job isn’t to tell you what to do. It’s to help you remember who you are, expand what you think is possible, and make choices that align with the life you actually want. This is the work that I am passionate about.
Online Counseling Throughout California
My official office location is at 23201 Mill Creek Drive, Suite 220, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. I currently provide all counseling online via Zoom, through secure video sessions you can join from the comfort and privacy of your own space. Because I’m licensed in California, I can work with anyone who is physically located in the state, whether you live here full-time or are temporarily here for work, school, or visiting family. From your own home or wherever you feel most comfortable, we can begin this work together.
Taking the First Step
I know that reaching out to a counselor takes courage. There’s often an inner voice that says you should be able to handle this on your own, or that things aren’t bad enough yet to ask for help. BUT the fact that you’re here, reading this, tells me something important about you: you know that something needs to change, and you’re willing to look for a better way.
That’s exactly the right place to start.
Call 949-431-0497
Let’s talk about what’s going on and how I can help. I look forward to hearing from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a mental health counselor do?
A mental health counselor provides professional support for emotional, relational, and behavioral challenges. I work with individual adults on issues including anxiety, codependency, relationship difficulties, the impact of addiction on families, women’s issues, and major life transitions. I help you gain insight, develop healthier patterns, and create meaningful change. I encourage you to invite others into your counseling process when I believe it benefits your individual healing journey. Because I currently offer online counseling only, I’m able to serve anyone physically located in California, not just Laguna Hills or the surrounding areas.
How do I know if I need a counselor?
If something in your life doesn’t feel right, such as a relationship that’s draining you, an emotional weight you can’t seem to put down, a pattern that keeps repeating, that’s reason enough to reach out. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. Many of my clients come in simply because they want more from their lives than what they currently have.
What types of counseling does Ceci Addams offer?
I offer women’s counseling, counseling for marriage and relationship challenges, counseling for family challenges, addiction counseling for loved ones and those in sobriety, and heart-centered therapy. All of my work is done individually with adults of all genders, with a particular focus on women’s issues and codependency.
Do you offer online counseling or telehealth?
Yes, and online counseling is currently the only way I see clients. All of my sessions are held via secure Zoom video sessions. Because I’m licensed in California, I work with anyone who is physically living in California or temporarily visiting anywhere in the state.
How long does counseling take?
That depends entirely on the individual and what you’re working on. Some people find significant relief and clarity in just a few sessions. Others choose to continue working together over months or even years because the growth they experience keeps bringing value to their lives. We figure out together what’s right for you.
What makes your approach different from other therapists?
I bring over two decades of experience working with adults in Laguna Hills, throughout Orange County, and across California. My approach is personal, warm, and heart-centered. I believe healing happens when you feel genuinely seen, heard, and validated, and I work to create that from our very first conversation.
Where are your counseling services available?
Because I currently offer online counseling only, I can work with anyone physically located in California. Whether you live here full-time or are temporarily here for work, school, or visiting family, we can do this work together from wherever you feel most comfortable. My official office location remains at 23201 Mill Creek Drive, Suite 220, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, though I do not currently see clients in person there.
How do I get started with counseling?
The simplest way is to call me directly at 949-431-0497, and we can figure out the next steps together.