D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with adults, young adults, teens, and couples. Dr. Lucie specializes in parenting, anxiety, teenagers and young adults, and has written three books: Parenting a Teen Girl, The Teen Girl Survival Guide, and The Teen Girl Anxiety Survival Guide.
Dr. Lucie has a private practice located in Santa Cruz, CA, and is currently working on creating course offerings to make her psychology services accessible to all. Therapy can feel like combing through emotional tangles leading to a freeing of life force energy previously experienced as heaviness.
Dr. Lucie has a private practice located in Santa Cruz, CA, and is currently working on creating course offerings to make her psychology services accessible to all. Therapy can feel like combing through emotional tangles leading to a freeing of life force energy previously experienced as heaviness.
Services
Lucie established her private practice in Santa Cruz, California in 1997. On the heels of her work in Youth Services, her clientele consisted of mostly teens in the early years of her practice. Today, it has expanded to include men, women, and couples seeking therapy for a range of issues including relationship challenges, stress management, depression, anxiety, trauma and loss, self-improvement, and more.
More than previous generations, today's teen girls face a daunting range of stressors that put them at risk for serious issues including self-harming behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety and depression. Parents everywhere struggle to respond appropriately to the challenging behavior, hit-or-miss communication, and fluctuating moods we see in teenage girls.
No one needs to tell a teen girl how stressful life can be. You're fully in the loop and doing the best you can to get through each day. Girls, more than boys, feel a lot of pressure from all directions, and it takes a toll. Exhaustion, frustration, and anxiety are a few of the struggles teen girls bring up most often.
Julie from the The Steve Harvey Show in Chicago called me in California: 'We're looking for a national expert on teen girls and it looks like that's you, Dr. Lucie. You would be our guest psychologist and interact with teen girls and their mothers.' Can you fly to NBC in Chicago tomorrow to tape a segment on an upcoming show entitled 'Is Fourteen is the New Eighteen?'? Needless to say, I flew!
We work hard to return all inquiries within 48 hours. If you are having a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 immediately, or visit your local emergency room. If you're suicidal, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255If you need help more urgently, please don't hesitate to use Psychology Today's Referral Service.
Reviews (18)
Karl Ledig
Dec 10, 2021
Report
I first saw Lucie on the recommendation from a very good friend many years ago, and I have been seeing Lucie on and off ever since. Like many people, I had an interesting childhood. Lucie's knowledge, experience, skills, intelligence, patience, honesty, and insight has helped me develop emotional intelligence and a better understanding to work through many difficult situations in my life. Simply put, Lucie has helped me become a better person.
Lucie, thank you for always being there for me!
Lucie, thank you for always being there for me!
Natalia McLaughlin
Jun 04, 2021
Report
After seeing a few different therapists over the course of many years, I finally found the right one in Lucie and have been seeing her consistently for about three years now. She has been incredibly helpful dealing with issues such as childhood trauma, relationship stress, grief, depression and anxiety, and navigating the stresses of being a young adult. Lucie made me feel comfortable, and gave me the time I needed to open up at my own pace. I truly could not recommend her enough to anyone seeking therapy!
Michael Mancini
Jun 01, 2021
Report
I have been seeing Lucie for a number of years. She has always been available for me in my times of need. I was having some major issues with my work, along with going through a very bad divorce, creating a large amount of stress in life. When I reached out to Lucie, without a hesitation she unselfishly made time for me. Lucie listened to my issues and provided me with the tools I needed to get through all of it. Thank you is not enough.
Katie McGuire
Feb 22, 2021
Report
I first went to Lucie in my mid teens, suffering from crippling anxiety attacks, and thanks, in no small part to her, I was able to live out my 20’s free from attacks, and equipped with the necessary tools to manage any spikes in anxiety. I have returned to her now in my late 20s after years of living confidently abroad, (something I was SURE I couldn’t ever do before her) for some extra help after a traumatizing year, and can say with certainty I will find the other side of these dark times with Lucie’s help and council again. I don’t know how I’d cope without her caring, empathic, and
Juliana W.
Jan 22, 2020
Report
Lucie has help remold my inner world for over 15 years . She possess a unique ability to capture the essence of your struggles by allowing YOU to find the way to healing. Not only is Lucie gentle and patient in her approach, but listens intently and with purpose. Lucie's kind manner made me feel at ease during some of my darkest days. Her skilled expertise has guided me through a therapeutic ride to inner peace and self understanding. A five rating doesn't even begin to do her justice !
Aaron D.
Oct 03, 2019
Report
At first glance she was one of the most qualified and had good if not great reviews so I left a message. No call back but I got a txt three days later (there was a weekend in between to be fair) saying "Unfortunately my practice is full", ok, fine, that's what happens when you're good,..you get filled up, but why don't you do the community a favor and just state that you're practice is full, here, and on your other pages and on your greeting/message machine? Doesn't that save you time so you can focus on your clients and doesn't that save my time as well
Jody U.
Jan 22, 2019
Report
She's like a godsend! Words can't express how much she has been helping our daughter. She's been seeing Lucie for a few months now and since day 1 of seeing her my daughter (14 yrs. old) was shocked because she said it was like she was reading her mind. We haveseen such a positive change in our daughter. She actually looks forward to seeing her every week and that says a lot. I highly recommend Lucie.
Frobscottle R.
Jan 02, 2019
Report
I have compound trauma and was skeptical about any therapy after trying countless anxiety, sleep and ptsd medication--all of it failed me and made things worse. At the end of my rope I started emdr with Lucie with ample skepticism. Today if I had millions I would want to see Lucie everyday. She's honest, sincere, and has the best sense of humor to convey your issues in a delicate way that (even if it's not what you want to hear) will resonate deep inside in a way that will put you on your best path. I have seen a negative review. Let me say that envy is an ugly thing. Lucie looks like
Andrea H.
Jan 31, 2018
Report
Darren N.
Oct 24, 2017
Report
My daughter is a student in Santa Cruz area and was looking for a Therapist.
Dr. Hemmen, even though we are not patients, went out of her way to help us with referrals and even check who may have worked with our insurance. Most Therapists never called back or took several days to get back to us but Dr. Hemmen got back quickly and is extremely professional and showed she cares for her practice and clients.
Dr. Hemmen, even though we are not patients, went out of her way to help us with referrals and even check who may have worked with our insurance. Most Therapists never called back or took several days to get back to us but Dr. Hemmen got back quickly and is extremely professional and showed she cares for her practice and clients.
Molly G.
May 02, 2017
Report
I have struggled with anxiety and depression throughout my adult life. It got to a point about a year ago where I decided to start talk therapy, and found Lucie from a friends recommendation. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed to have Lucie in my life. I look forward to each and every session with her- she has a way of calming me down and making me see my own worth that I have never had before. I love her straight forward, yet kind approach. She has helped me so much already, and I am looking forward to the progress I will make in years to come.
Stephanie P.
Aug 23, 2016
Report
Oh my gosh. There are just too many incredible things to say about Lucie.. She truly helped me so much. Lucie went above and beyond to provide for me, learning what she could along the way. Our relationship felt like a beautiful collaboration, and I'm so grateful for being treated like a competent and intellectual individual, despite numerous struggles.
She helped me navigate stresses of being an EMT, and was so empathetic and supporting when it came to tackling other things as well.
Lucie is the best-her loving and constantly compassionate nature is going to be so missed.
With as many obstacles
She helped me navigate stresses of being an EMT, and was so empathetic and supporting when it came to tackling other things as well.
Lucie is the best-her loving and constantly compassionate nature is going to be so missed.
With as many obstacles
Jesse R.
Apr 13, 2015
Report
Wonderful book. Dr Hemmen when are you going to write one for parenting Teenage Boys? You have helped Deborah and I so very much with our family and communication. The confidence we now have after working with you to express ourselves has transformed the way we look at the future. Really useful and wise guidance. Thank you so very much. Its a pleasure every time we see you.
Manasa G.
Mar 15, 2014
Report
Lucie is an amazing Psychologist. I've been lucky enough to work with her for the past 3 years. She is warm and kind and I've never once felt judged by her. She has helped me overcome many eating and anxiety issues. Even when I lived in southern California she always was available for phone appointments. She also goes above and beyond by occasionally sending encouraging and supportive texts between appointments. Talking with Lucie feels like talking to an old friend she laughs with me and is always real. Working with Lucie never feels like a business arrangement and I always look forward
Lisa D.
Jan 22, 2014
Report
Lucie is an amazing therapist and has helped me move forward in leaps and bounds. She encouraged me to have positive thoughts and turn my thinking around when I am up against obstacles in life. I have used her advice and changed my life for the better. I was feeling broken and now I'm not. I feel like I can handle hard situations in a more effective way now. Lucie is kind, but also lets me know when I'm being silly or making silly decisions in my life and that is a great thing. Her office is very comfortable and I always feel like I have a better grip when I leave our sessions
N. V.
Oct 24, 2013
Report
Dr. Lucie Hemmen has a gift for working with teens. We began consulting with her when our children were young adolescents, and she provided excellent advice - both to us and to our kids - as we addressed common issues such as school choice, stress, peer issues, and family dynamics. She facilitated better communication for us all and helped smooth the way for a relatively conflict-free teenage period in our household. For a family seeking a wise and approachable therapist to work with during the teen years, Lucie can't be beat.
Much more important, however, she can also be counted on
Much more important, however, she can also be counted on
Sharon H.
Jul 22, 2013
Report
Lucie is an incredible therapist. I consulted with her to get through my daughter's teenage years, which caused me to work on some of my own issues. She can articulate my problems in compassionate, insightful language that always leads me to a better understanding. With better understanding, I can feel OK about myself as well as be a better mother. I have the greatest respect for her. I wish I could have seen someone like her when I was a teenager!
Ben B.
Jul 10, 2012
Report
My experience with Lucie was and always will be the most positive experience I have ever had in my life. I truly think that the universe gives people a gift and she has defiantly used all of her gifts that has been given to this woman. She understands so much and my personal goals that I was looking for my self she helped and gave me the Tools to use to achieve in a amazing amount of time ...
Thank you so much for helping change my life for the better!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for helping change my life for the better!!!!!!!!!!!
