Therapists in Irvine, CA

Hello! I am a California- and Arizona-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with 25 years of experience counseling children, teens, and adults. I have trained and practiced extensively as a cognitive-behavioral therapist, and I also have a passion for mindfulness-based and holistic approaches for greater well-being. As a recovering worrier and formerly fierce self-critic, I find great peace and joy in Eastern and Western spiritual wisdom. I am happy to offer these perspectives to those who are interested. I also love to share self-compassion and mindfulness approaches to better cope with emotions and to address patterns of thought and behavior. In counseling, I encourage people to cultivate greater self-acceptance; release themselves from the burden of limiting, distressing beliefs; and find meaning and opportunity in challenging experiences. I offer a Spiritually-oriented, compassionate, research-based, and collaborative approach to counseling. I have a passion and specialty in assisting adults who are experiencing anxiety and those who wish to be more loving/accepting of themselves. I also enjoy helping individuals who are seeking deeper contentment or meaning in their lives - people who want to put new perspectives and skills to use, empowering themselves to feel greater peace and joy. Most of my clinical experience has been in outpatient settings (group and private practice). I have also worked in intensive-outpatient programs, providing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness therapy. In addition, I am trained in a dream interpretation model developed at the University of Maryland, for those interested in using their dreams to better understand and enhance their waking lives. My other professional interests are: astrology, Reiki (Japanese energy healing), and functional nutrition (food for mood). Personally, I enjoy hiking, meditation, Spiritual talks and films, learning Spanish, and caring for animals. I lived in Southern California for two decades and relocated to Southern Arizona two years ago. Thank you for viewing my site. It will be a joy to connect with you!

Hi All! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California with 11 years of experience providing services to children, youth, adults, and families. I have great experience providing mental health therapy/services to clients enduring anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, change of life circumstances, and various forms of trauma. I earned my stripes with providing community based mental health services to low income families and the coordination of a residential facility's mental health treatment program for adolescent males on probation. Currently, I am supervising the next generation of mental health professionals as they embark within this career. When working with individuals and families I strive to assist each member with developing personal awareness of triggers and applying healthy coping skills to manage their reactions to triggers. I promote self-expression and self-esteem to guide each individual to find their desired balance and coordinate through the many obstacles of life. In therapy session, I often utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy concepts, however, I do consider my style as eclectic as I tailor my services to fit the individual's needs. I strive to assist others with their personal growth and and gaining of self-confidence to navigate through the everyday and out of ordinary life circumstances. Now that you know about me, lets get started. Looking forward to meeting and getting to know you!

I am a marriage and family therapist licensed in California and Utah with over 23 years of experience working as a Substance Abuse Counselor and 12 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting challenges, career transitions, substance abuse issues, addictions, grief and loss , stage of life issues and relational violence. I also helped many people who have experienced trauma or emotional abuse. I provided a holistic approach that includes many spiritual practices and traditions, including Christianity. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, inner childhood work, family systems theory, dreamwork, EMDR, psycho-dynamic and Jungian psychotherapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

I have over 30 years of experience in mental health and have been licensed in the states of California; Oregon and Washington. I possess a Master of Addiction Counseling and have supervised 5 mental health and addictions treatment programs in addition to my experience with counseling. My diverse professional background includes experience in residential; in-patient psychiatric hospitalization in two countries (United States and United Kingdom); school based; military; forensic and community-based counseling services. In addition to this, I possess an extensive background in early brain development consulting; closed head and traumatic brain injury; developmental counseling; couples, family and life-stage counseling and all issues pertaining to human lifespan identity. I have taught the following coursework at a university level: Human Development; Child Development; Attraction and Romantic Love; Pediatric Neuropsychology; Abnormal Psychology; Introduction to Psychology and Death and Dying. My approach to counseling is client centered; empathetic; non-judgmental; and solution focused aligned with your personal priorities and goals. My client’s drive the direction of treatment and decide when they have reached a level of satisfaction to discontinue therapy. My door is always open for brief, intermediate or long-term depth work. I can't wait to meet you!

When I moved to California to accept the job of my dreams I experienced a significant JOLT! Nearly everything in my life changed - I lost a lot of my support system, I lost some of my self, I lost my ability to tap into my strengths and positives in my life. Fortunately I was guided to an excellent therapist who encouraged me to invest in people and activities that brought joy. The most important lesson I learned was to talk less and DO more! I re-connected with nature and began painting - and I still love to paint after 18 years. What is your story? What do you fear? What strengths can you count on? I was fortunate to train with professionals who are at the top of our field. I've mastered Family Systems Theory, Problem-solving, Divorce Mediation, Solution Focus and Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Resilience and Mindfulness. If you would like to know more about evidence-based therapies I'm glad to share the research and my thoughts about what is effective. However, after many years sitting with people who are experiencing anxiety from change, confusion about growth, grief or loss I believe that the alliance between therapist and client is the number one factor for success and change. So, we can borrow or practice anything from these excellent therapies I listed - for example, using mindfulness or distress tolerance skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy - but I will always honor our alliance and insure that you feel heard and that you are my partner in directing therapy. A bit more about me - I am a Lesbian. I have three grown children and a wife who is African American. I don't claim to have mastered all the diversity in my life. That is a life-long journey. I feel graced by these layers of respect, forgiveness, open-heartedness and curiosity in relationships. I would not change any discomfort for what I have shared. So, I am excited to work with anyone who is willing to increase transparency and to let go of what is not working. My experience may be an asset, but I assure you that the best I can offer is to see each of you with fresh eyes. You are the strongest ingredient in growing your life.

In my long career as a parent, a therapeutic horseback riding instructor, a school counselor and a psychologist, I have learned the following truths: We are all on our path, always striving to heal ourselves. Emotion is the language of the body, communication to our soul. We can recognize where we need to go, by following our enthusiasm. It is okay to ask for what you need and receive help and encouragement. We learn and heal best through play, making mistakes, and trying again. All situations can be turned therapeutic. You may feel you have lost your way, or that your feelings and emotions are running away with you. You may not know what to do with yourself, or with your child. You may have lost your enthusiasm for life, or don’t know how to ask for what you need. Or maybe you are so afraid of making a mistake. I understand, I have been there, too. And you can find your enthusiasm as well, as a human being, as a parent, as child, a partner, a friend or a co-worker. I can help you find the building blocks you need to build your better life. Let’s talk and play this out together.

My name is Julia Cho and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed #: 140336 and have been conducting therapy since May of 2016. I graduated with my masters (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2017 and graduated with a Neuroscience, B.S. undergraduate degree from University of California, Riverside in 2011. I have worked with adults, groups, couples, families and adolescents. Most of my experience has been working with the addiction, substance abuse, trauma and incarcerated populations. I am aware of the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection and realize that everyone is their own individual with differing needs. I would love to help you with your unique journey.

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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.

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I specialize in trauma and attachment using both EMDR and EFT. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. 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.