Lena Dicken, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

From a young age Dr. Lena Dicken has been passionate about empowering others on their journey toward personal growth and greater fulfillment. Her family’s holistic lifestyle and meditation practice led her to an early career as a yoga and meditation instructor in the early 2000's. She taught for several years in the US, Hawaii, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Seeking a deeper understanding of the mind and body she studied Psychology at The University of Maryland and later Integrative Medicine at The University of Hawaii. She moved to California to earn her Master’s in Counseling Psychology, followed by a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her love for the outdoors led her to Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she earned a certification in Ecopsychology, blending her expertise in psychology with a profound connection to nature. She further deepened her skills with a certification in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at InsightLA, equipping her to guide others toward resilience and balance in today’s fast-paced world. Dr. Dicken’s doctoral research delved into the transformative effects of self-compassion, nature immersion, and awe on well-being.

Dr. Dicken is also the visionary founder of Saltwater Sessions, one of the first therapeutic surfing programs in the United States, which she established in 2014. The groundbreaking program integrated surfing, mindfulness, and positive reappraisal to help participants work through mental blocks, quiet their inner critic, and increase self confidence. Although Saltwater Sessions concluded in 2020, its impact continues to resonate. Dr. Dicken’s innovative work with Saltwater Sessions has been spotlighted by prominent platforms such as GOOP, Chalkboard Magazine, The Fullest, The Inertia, and a wide range of other media outlets and podcasts. In 2015, Dr. Dicken was invited to speak about Saltwater Sessions at the Recovery 2.0 conference, sharing the stage with luminaries such as Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Daniel Amen, establishing her as an emerging leader in integrative mental health.

Dr. Dicken was recently featured in Al Fresco: Inspired Ideas for Outdoor Living by Julie Pointer Adams (2022). In the book, she shares how awe-inspiring moments in nature can reshape the brain, fostering neuroplasticity and encouraging prosocial behaviors that can improve both individual and collective well-being.

Dr. Dicken is a licensed psychologist in California (PSY31107) and has been in private practice since 2012, splitting her time between Santa Monica and Montecito, CA. A passionate environmentalist and advocate for social justice, she balances her professional work with family time and enjoys traveling, hiking, and surfing. Her latest venture, The Outdoor Psychologist will be launching soon.

Therapy with Dr. Dicken

Dr. Dicken utilizes a holistic approach, looking beyond surface symptoms to uncover the complex psychological dynamics—including personal history, relationships, societal pressures, and environmental factors—that shape each individual. Specializing in working with high-impact leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals, she integrates Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Mindfulness-based therapies with the latest advances in neuroscience. Dr. Dicken guides her clients with thoughtful insight and practical strategies, helping them uncover, process, and reshape thought and behavior patterns that may be interfering with their ability to thrive. Understanding that each person's journey is unique, Dr. Dicken is dedicated to helping clients navigate their individual challenges. Her compassionate and collaborative approach empowers her clients to foster meaningful and transformative growth, emerging with a deeper understanding of themselves and a more resilient foundation for the future.