Therapists in California

I am a marriage and family therapist licensed in California. I have been working in the mental health field for many years now focusing on supporting individuals, couples, and families with overcoming various challenges and reclaiming quality of life. I have worked with clients with a wide range of challenges including addictions, anger, anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, parenting, and family conflict. I have also helped people with emotional and physical trauma. My counseling style is warm, interactive, and empathetic. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, compassion, and being non-judgmental. My interactive approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, and family therapy modalities with a focus on acceptance and unconditional positive regard. I will work with you to identify your strengths and tailor treatment to your specific needs. It takes courage to acknowledge a need for change, and begin to work toward a more fulfilling and happier life. If you are ready to take that first step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you! "No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." - Robin Williams

I am a qualified, California and Florida State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 23 years experience in providing effective mental health services to diverse populations of individuals, couples, and families. My services have included therapy and counseling, case management, career counseling, crisis intervention, grief and loss counseling, and successful management of large community based mental health programs and clinics. Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy related approaches, I am able to provide effective intervention for all types of presenting problems from individual issues, like management of depression and anxiety to relational issues such as concerns with communication between partners or family members. I enjoy working with diverse groups and have counseled every one from young babies with their parents to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, disabled individuals, members of the LGTBQ community, other professionals, and veterans. I have also worked extensively with individuals coping with trauma; trained in TF-CBT and other models of trauma informed care. I enjoy helping others and my solution focused approach yields results.

The therapeutic relationship is an alliance for your health and growth. Congratulations for giving your self the time and support to grow and deal with life’s challenges. It takes courage and wisdom to ask for help. It is my intension to be helpful and assist you in reaching your goals. The information that you give me is helpful in determining the specifics of treatment. During the course of therapy, we may evaluate where you are in the process of meeting your goals. If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please talk to me about them. You input is essential. I cannot predict how long therapy may be needed. Of course, you may end therapy at any time. I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), who has been licensed by the State of California since 1988. I have a master’s degree in family therapy from California Family Study Center (Now named Phillips Graduate Institute) and a doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. I have additional training in Emotional Freedom Therapy, also know as Tapping. While I know many forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral, my favored approach is psycho-spiritual. I combine family therapy and depth psychology, specifically Jungian and archetypal psychology , to work on relationship issues on many levels. I help individuals and couples improve communication, deal with transitions and losses, and deal constructively with conflicts. Depth psychology helps people to develop emotional stamina, to discover hidden parts of one’s self and narratives that govern relationships. This work honors the illogical, the mysterious, and the unexplained. People have rational, logical parts and illogical, emotional or intuitive parts. A goal is to be a whole person. The work encourages people to operate out of their Higher Self and to look for the larger picture. Although the practice is psycho-spiritual, it is not based upon any particular religious teaching. Traumatic events get locked in the body, like kink in a garden hose. EFT-Tapping helps shift the energy to help people get out of anxiety and be able to meet their challenges with more clarity and stamina. Emotional Freedom Therapy employs the body’s acupressure points and works with specific events in people’s lives to reduce distress. Clients tap on themselves with verbal guidance. This method helps eliminate distressing feelings and ease the effects of trauma. Addiction is prevalent in our culture. I work with people struggling with addiction. In my opinion, addiction is a thinking disorder that there is never enough, one has to be perfect, there is no help, and one has to grab at gratification or someone will take it away. The focus is on healing shame, expressing feelings, self-care and practicing gratitude and humility. It is also a spiritual disorder of looking for love in all the wrong places and thinking one is in total control. It often requires a team effort with programs like AA , AlAnon, Celebrate Recovery, and a Sponsor. In my opinion, Lifestyle makes a difference in mental health outcomes. Thing to think about: Do you eat foods that nourish & love you back? This means fresh, diverse, colorful, minimal processing, grown with no poisons, best locally grown. Feed your gut, to feed your brain to improve mood with foods that have fiber and fermentation. Do you move your body on a regular basis, such as walking, dancing, yoga or Tai Chi? The latter two, yoga and Tai Chi help intentionally to change internal states to calm. Basically movement and posture changes consciousness. Do you rest and restore when tired? Do you reach out to friendly, respectful people? Do you have a spiritual practice? Are you careful what kind of media you watch or listen to? Does it calm, inspire or agitate and anger you? Our literal hearts are in coherence with gratitude, appreciation, love & in incoherence with anger or frustration. Do you have a pet or a garden that you take care of? Do you spend time in nature? Walk on the earth, among trees, listen to water? Do you have a balance between work and play? Do you have a way to give back to something larger than yourself ? These are areas to consider or add to your daily life. The following guidelines help preserve the difference between a friendship and therapeutic relationship. Privacy of Communication: Our communication and even the fact that you are in therapy is confidential and must be kept private. You have to sign a written waver for me to talk, write, or communicate in any way to anyone with some exceptions. Safe Storage of Records:Any paper notes are kept in safe files. You have the right to electronic privacy and safe storage of these records. Exceptions by law: There are exceptions as mandated by federal, state, or local laws that do not require your written authorization to release private information. Harm to Others: As mandated by law, I am legally bound to report child abuse and neglect, dependent adult abuse and neglect, and elder abuse and neglect. This includes domestic violence that puts children at risk. Harm to Self or Others: I will disclose limited information to prevent serious harm to others or yourself. Consultations with Professionals: There are times when it is desirable or mandated that I seek a consultation with another professional about our work. Should this need arise, I will disguise all identifying data. This could include a consulting psychotherapist about your case or a lawyer to discuss legal issues that pertain to your case. If I need to speak to your doctor, I will ask for a written consent. Exceptions with lawsuits: If you file a lawsuit in criminal or civil courts or pursue an administrated action, your information may be required by the judge or by his or her subpoena. If you bring in the issue of your mental health in such a case, you give up your right to confidentiality. Appointments: At the beginning of therapy, it’s helpful to have consistent weekly meetings. Once we agree upon a time, I will hold it for you, unless you no longer need that time. Should you not be able to attend your session, as a courtesy to me, please give me twenty-four hour notice. You will do better for yourself if you bring up difficult issues at the beginning of the therapy session. If you have an emergency, please indicate that in your message. However, in the event of a medical or psychiatrist emergency, where your safety or the safety of others is involved, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Please know that I am not available 24 hours, normally maintaining business hours between 9-5. Please know I can only talk with you in California. If you travel to another state, I may not be able to, except in an emergency. Each state has their own licensing requirements. Ending therapy: When you are ready to leave therapy, please schedule one or more goodbye sessions. The amount of sessions depends upon how long you have been in therapy with me. This time is used to review what you have accomplished, what needs reinforcing, and to identify work that might be done in the future. It is important to be able to say,” Goodbye," talk about the feelings surrounding the endings of this relationship. This is good practice for your life beyond therapy. There are times when I may end therapy. Reasons may include that your needs are outside the scope of my practice, a referral is made, or we agree that no progress is being made.

I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and a Licensed Independent Mental Health Independent Practitioner/Clinical Social Worker in Nebraska. I have experience in helping clients with LGBTQ+ related issues, career difficulties, coping with life changes, & executive and professional coaching. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the states of California and Texas. I have more than 10 years of combined professional experience working in child welfare and abuse, domestic violence, mental health court programs, substance use disorders and complex trauma. As well as working with law enforcement/first responders. *EMDR trained therapist *Certification in Domestic Violence Peer Counseling and Advocacy *Certification in Child forensic Interviewing *Currently working on a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Certification I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I work within a client centered focus forum and frequently utilize cognitive behavioral therapy. My focus is to help you unravel those thoughts/behaviors that create negative responses in your life and guide you through developing realistic tools that will yield a positive outcome, whatever that may look like to you. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I believe in establishing rapport and trust with my clients, so they are able to feel as open as needed to unpack things that hinder you from being your best self. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support and guide you through that process.

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & executive and professional coaching. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 10+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and identity issues, and addressing barriers keeping clients from reaching their goals, dreams, and potential. I believe all humans have innate value and deserve to be treated with dignity. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to pursue a more fulfilling and joyful life. I am here to come alongside of you in pursuit of your healing journey.

I am licensed in California. I began working with clients struggling with addictions in 1984 (40 years ago). I have have worked in various settings (Clinics, Hospitals and Schools). I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. My style of therapy includes Solution Focused, Feedback Informed Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!