About Margaret Sigel, LMFT, SEP
Hi, I’m Margaret. I’m glad you’re here.
I’m a somatic therapist in Santa Monica, CA. I help adults and couples ease anxiety, heal trauma, and feel more connected. I see clients in-person in Santa Monica and online across California.
A steady place to land
You’ve been carrying more than your share. Let’s make it feel lighter and more like you.
I’m Margaret Sigel, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) in Santa Monica. I help adults and couples slow down, listen to what mind and body are carrying, and create change that holds.
My style is warm, collaborative, and relational. We pair conversation with simple nervous-system practices so relief shows up in the moments that matter.
How I Work
Grounded, paced, and focused on what matters now
Sessions are conversations with a purpose. We slow things down enough to notice what is happening, make sense of it, and practice simple ways to steady yourself between sessions. We set clear goals and go at a pace that respects your capacity.
Somatic and relational, informed by trauma science
I blend Somatic Experiencing®, attachment-focused therapy, and present-moment awareness. We titrate the work so it feels safe and sustainable. Sessions do not include physical touch (note: this is not massage or bodywork).
Why this work matters to me
Before becoming a therapist, I spent years in the entertainment industry in development and production. It was creative and high-energy, and I also saw how constant pressure can erode well-being.
That season shaped my care for high-achieving people whose inner life does not always match the surface. It drew me to work that helps clients move from strain and burnout toward steadier presence, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of self.
Training and Influences
I have trained with Peter Levine, the founder of Somatic Experiencing. My ongoing study integrates contemporary neuroscience, trauma research, and attachment theory. I am a California LMFT and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
Credentials
Licensure
California LMFT #150926
Certification
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) — Advanced II completed (2024)
Training highlights
Ariel Giarretto, LMFT, SEP, CSSE
Glyndie Nickerson, PhD, SEP
Joshua Sylvae, PhD, SEP; Mashid Hager, LMFT, SEP
Abi Blakeslee, PhD, SEP
Additional modality
EMDR — Basic Training (EMDR Institute)
Education
M.A., Clinical Psychology (MFT) — Pepperdine University
B.A., English — UCLA
Professional membership
CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
Who I work with
People who tend to benefit have full lives and significant commitments. Many are navigating leadership, creative work, or family responsibilities. Others come during seasons of change — times like becoming a parent, navigating perimenopause or menopause, moving through aging, or facing the grief of loss, divorce, or career transitions.
If you want thoughtful, steady support that respects your capacity and time, you are in the right place.
What the first 90 days look like
We begin by clarifying what you want more of and what gets in the way. Weekly sessions build momentum. We pair conversation with simple regulation practices, check progress regularly, and make right-sized adjustments so improvements are durable.
You can expect:
A focused plan that we revisit together
Skills to use between sessions
Consent and choice at every step
Coordination with other providers when helpful (with your permission)
Fit and Access
I am a private-pay practice and can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement. If a different fee or specialty would serve you better, I am glad to offer referrals.
Where I Meet
In person: 720 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 204, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Online: secure video for California residents
Ready to connect?
If you want steadier days and more room for what matters, I would be honored to work with you.