Dr. Karin Celosse, Psychologist

About me

(NO PHONE OR VIDEO at this time - but we can discuss live chat as needed after we start therapy, and come up with a schedule that works for us both)

One of the hardest steps to take can simply be to ask for help. Many individuals feel that this makes them weak, especially if they have been accustomed to being told that they need to be tough or “keep it in the family”. But the simple fact that you have reached out for help speaks volumes about not only your resilience but also your strength. It is very common to feel overwhelmed, confused, and lost in an emotional place that feels like it has no way out. But we can work as a team to help you rise above this feeling, to be able to see what is at the other side of the “hill”, and help you visualize a path that you can follow. My goal is to facilitate the process of helping individuals become aware of and make choices toward living what they perceive to be a more fulfilled life and helping them to identify and address any barriers (actual and perceived) they may face. My approach is client-centered and strengths-based – you are the expert on what you want and what you need. I can help you when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or lost. My goal is to facilitate, gently challenge at times, and guide your journey to wellness by helping you to change the things that are no longer working for you.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist, based in the Orange County Area of California, specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and the psychological effects of living with chronic medical conditions. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with substance use disorders, have a history of trauma, including work-related trauma such as that experienced in first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, and military, as well as individuals struggling with severe and persistent mental illness, as well as mood disorders. Additionally, individuals who are working on reintegrating with their community and adjusting to life after a period of incarceration are always welcome and encouraged to seek assistance in this process and this is something I am experienced in facilitating. I utilize a range of treatment methodologies including Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Object-Relations, Existential, Humanistic, Person-Centered, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), and Strength-Based approaches in my work with adult clients, and can offer Psychological Testing and Evaluation as well.

In terms of my therapy approach, I will always meet you with unconditional positive regard. My approach is always individualized and based on approaches that you are most comfortable with and can best benefit from. I provide a safe holding environment that includes empathetic listening, guidance, and support based on what your goals and objectives are. Together we can explore your cognitions, behaviors, and beliefs that seem to be standing in the way of what you want for yourself, to provide you insight on them, and to help you grow from them. Perhaps uniquely among clinicians who provide services in this setting, I have extensive experience working with individuals in the community mental health setting as well as in the forensic setting (state prison and probation), and with individuals struggling with substance abuse, severe and persistent mental illness, as well as homelessness. Some fun trivia (which also gives me a unique insight into trauma and health effects on mental health - prior to my work in the field of mental health, I was actually a medic and field training officer in the emergency medical services field for well over a decade, so I also have extensive experience in dealing with individuals who struggle with trauma especially as it relates to work.

**Please be aware that I check into the platform on the five days I work online (weekdays). Please leave me a detailed message and understand that I will get back to you within 24 hours (during reasonable business hours). It is important you are aware of this not being an emergency service. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. **

Professional experience

Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant personality, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Communication problems, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dissociation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hearing impaired, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic brain injury

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

License information

CA Psychologist 29839

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Karin Celosse. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.