Therapists in Los Gatos, CA

For 25 years I have had the privilege to help people navigate difficult passages in their lives, in a variety of settings. Give yourself credit for reaching out, because a good therapist during these times can make a huge positive difference. In retrospect you may see that ill fortune, suffering and emotional pain helped you grow, and that without these challenges you may not have learned what you needed to progress. As Eckhart Tolle has said, suffering can be your greatest teacher. I did not become a therapist until midlife, and have had my own share of major life changes, transformations, suffering, and loss. These experiences have deepened my empathy and compassion, which I hope to bring to you. I have learned that creating trust in the therapeutic relationship is a vital part of the process, and like all therapists I am sworn to hold you with unconditional, non-judgmental positive regard. I have earned two Masters Degrees (in Psychology and Counseling Psychology), and hold two licenses – Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Whether you are seeking longer term therapy to illuminate hidden patterns, or solution focused brief therapy for a specific problem, we will tailor our work accordingly to your goals and wishes. I am committed to helping you discover your ability to heal and grow, to listen to your inner wisdom, and find peace, self-acceptance, and self-confidence instead of fear. I have expertise with relationship struggles of all kinds, including dating, and alternate lifestyles. Addiction is a special interest, having developed a comprehensive alternative addiction treatment program in India suitable for any addiction – alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, polysubstance cocktails, internet addictions, and others. I am open minded and abide by the principles of Harm Reduction. As an EAP counselor, I enjoy helping people with workplace and career issues. Other areas of expertise include grief and loss, blended family issues, stress, coping with the narcissists in your life, mild depression, anxiety, social anxiety, procrastination, guilt, anger, self blame, PTSD, family conflict, highly sensitive people, spirituality (mindfulness) and existential issues. I wish you all the best in your journey, and should you choose me, I look forward to working with you.

Hello, I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of California and have an online therapy practice. I completed my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2009. I have worked in various settings including outpatient, school-based, and residential, and have provided therapy to a diverse group of clientele on a wide-range of concerns. I specialize in providing therapy to individuals, teens, couples and families who are struggling with life stressors, relationship concerns, parenting difficulties, depression, and anxiety. I approach therapy by looking at each person as part of a larger family system. The way we each grow up influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors throughout our life. Some of these influences are positive and others can cause us difficulties and get in the way of the person we want to be and the relationships we want to have. I utilize a combination of CBT (Cognitive-Behavior-Therapy), Psychoeducation, and Mindfulness practices within my therapy in order to help my clients obtain knowledge and develop skills to assist them in difficult times. I believe we all have the ability to grow and overcome our personal difficulties and life stressors to live the life we want to have. Therapy is a great tool to help one learn more about themselves and guide them to a better and happier self. I’m excited to be on this journey with you!

Hello, my name is Melinda Meyers and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Thousand Oaks, CA. I have been licensed and in private practice for over 10 years. I earned my master degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. Seeking out help from a clinician is always the hardest step to take and finding the right clinician for you makes that step easier. I believe we all have the power to find the tools within ourselves to guide us toward a happy and fulfilling life, and I love to help my clients take their first steps toward their goals. I work with my clients from a Humanistic Approach. Your personal worth, your value, creativity, and ability to overcome hardship, pain, and crisis in your life, is the center and most important aspect of my work. As a therapist I am there to help you find that value, creativity, and your ability to overcome issues in your life with guidance that works for you and in your life. I look forward to working with you.

I am a marriage and family therapist and I have been licensed in California with almost 30 years of experience working as a Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, Program Manager, Regional Director and Executive Director of various clinical and community based programs. Over the years, I have worked with a wide variety of individuals and families of all ages, in many different environments including private practice, schools, clinics, field work, etc. I am experienced in working with multiple issues such as depression, anxiety, phobias and OCD, self-esteem and confidence issues, trauma/PTSD, homelessness, severe mental illness and more. I believe strongly that each person has unique strengths that can be discovered and magnified to achieve one's own path to happiness and wellness . My approach to therapy is empathetic and supportive, but I understand that the client and their needs direct the therapy work itself. I view my role as one of providing structure, guidance, and motivation as it is needed. I encourage my clients to be vocal about their needs and what they hope to get out of therapy. I am accepting and supportive of all people, and I honor diversity. I often utilize CBT techniques to challenge and change negative thinking patterns, and encourage and assist people to find their own strengths and talents that will be critical along the journey to wellness. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the single most important ingredient to transformational healing and growth. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued for who they are. As your partner in this process, you can count on me to be fully engaged, meet you where you are, and affirm your worth every step of the way. The therapeutic process should be intriguing, empowering, and rewarding throughout the journey. I look forward to working with you! I am a Solution-Focused Therapist who incorporates a variety of Psychodynamic and Evidenced-Based therapies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Mindfulness. SPECIALTIES Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Bipolar disorder Depression Coping with life changes Also experienced in: Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Grief , Parenting issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Compassion fatigue , ADHD , Aging and Geriatric Issues , Read more... Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy Years of Experience: 30

INTRODUCTION Hello my name is Eric Howell, and I want to welcome you to Better Help. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist, and have been licensed in California for more than 15 years. I am originally from the North East. I am third generation in this country, of a mixed European decent. I moved to California when I was 25. I have worked in a variety of settings, including: Non Profit, Government, and Private Practice. Whether you are a first timer to therapy, or you have been a client before, I want to acknowledge and congratulate that you took the first step in reaching out to get some help today. This is a big first step. _________________________________________________________________ SPECIALTIES • Depression • Anxiety • Life Changes • Grief and Loss • Self Esteem • Relationship Issues • Family Stressors/conflicts • Anger Management • Mood Swings • Sexual Orientation • Communication • Having a family member with a Chronic and Persistent Mental Illness ALSO EXPERIENCE IN: Substance Abuse, addiction, trauma and abuse, multi-cultural experiences, children to older adult, aging, bipolar disorder, co-dependency, career difficulties, intimacy issues, blockage to creativity. CLINICAL APPROACHES: Cognitive Behavioral, Gestalt, Humanistic, Attachment Based Theory, Psychodynamic, Narrative Therapy, Post-Modern Theory, and Solution Focused. WHO AM I -PERSONAL BACKGROUND Because choosing who you pick for a therapist is essential, I have decided to share some personal information about myself along with how I approach therapy. Although it is lengthy, I believe it will be helpful for you in choosing if I will be the right therapist for you. So with that said, I came to becoming a therapist after having such a positive experience with therapy myself. So, I come to you not only as an experienced therapist, but with a deep understanding of what it is like to be a client. I was approaching 30, when I was feeling as if my life was no longer working for me, and I was deeply unhappy. I made a commitment to attending weekly individual therapy sessions to get help. The safe space my therapist created was critical in helping me explore and understand the factors that were contributing to my unhappiness. It allowed me to look inward and reflect on painful experiences that have happened and shaped me. Revisiting these experiences in a safe supportive environment helped me better understand how they impacted me, and incorporate them into my being. As this process progressed, my therapist provided me with psychoeducation, giving me new coping skills, improving my communication, and seeing things with a new and different perspective allowing further change to happen. I started feeling as if I could direct my own life, and not have life directing me. I was brought up Catholic, but do not see myself as a religious person, but have a deeply spiritual understanding of the world. This can easily be brought to our sessions if it will be of use to your experience. I also have the unique experience of growing up with close family members who have been diagnosed with serious mental health disorders, such as Schizophrenia. With this comes unique challenges for all members of a family system. Understanding how this has impacted you, navigating and managing your relationship with these family members can be complicated and stressful, as well extremely rewarding. I have a depth of knowledge and experience with multiple areas within Mental Health, including Chronic and Persistent Mental Disorders, if this is something that has impacted your life either with a family member or close friends we can spend time understanding its impact. I am a gay male and have had training and experience at the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles. This impacts how I see the world and my perspective. Although, I see myself as an all-inclusive therapist this is a self-disclosure to assist with you choosing the right therapist for you. _______________________________________________________________ ELEMENTS OF MY PERSONAL STYLE OF INDIVIDUAL THERAPY Balance and creating Meaning are critical in being a whole fulfilled being. How we blend and focus our time is important in shaping your mood and overall mental health. Exploring how you currently spend your time with the mixture of family, intimacy, career/work, social, community, serving others, spiritual, being in nature, and engaging in creative endeavors will be part of our work together. One of the key ingredients to a successful experience in therapy is your experience with your therapist. It will be my focus and goal to offer you a warm friendly environment free of judgement. This will allow the space for you to understand your unique life experience and how it has shaped you. I do believe unraveling how culture, gender, gender preference, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and family dynamics impact you and your world. I believe it is an important part of understanding who you are. It is particularly important in our sessions for you to feel listened to. This is one of my strengths that I will be bringing to our sessions. My ability to put my full attention and focus on listening to what you have to say, and formulating what it all means. Often growing up, or in our daily lives, the people around us may not have the time or attention to allow us to feel fully understood. My goal is to have you feel fully listened to and understood. I believe in a collaborative approach, where we work together to understand your problem, and develop goals for therapy. It is important from the beginning, that the goals we develop together are realistic and achievable. I welcome feedback, when you feel as if the sessions are no longer effective for you, or if I am not in tuned to your experience. There will be times I will remain silent to provide you the space to search within yourself for the answers. There are other times I will be providing you feedback from a place of concern and healing to help you learn about yourself and encourage change. Another important part of our sessions is providing you with psychoeducation. Whether it is introducing you to new coping skills, teaching you effective communication skills, helping you make sense of what your experience is, putting experiences into a context, being able to put words to your thoughts and emotions. This often helps you feel as if you are getting something more concrete from our sessions. This is an area where providing handouts to read or to complete can be helpful. If this is something you appreciate, we can certainly incorporate more of it in our sessions. Also, if you respond well to reading and increasing your education in a particular area that we may be discussing. Please let me know, I will see if we can add some recommendations to our sessions for us to discuss. Lastly, I typically blend an eclectic mix of therapeutic interventions to assist and support you. This helps me tailor interventions to your unique needs. The on-line experience is different than in person, so I believe it is important to acknowledge this. There are some real strengths, such as convenience, and affordability. I am hoping to hearing feedback to improve your virtual therapy experience. Some clinical theories inherently are more conducive in a virtual setting, so this will be taken into in account due to the medium in which we will be working together. I believe in exploring the past, when appropriate, to understand your present, but not staying stuck in the past. I want to help your today. Join now, don't put it off any longer.

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have seen 30 clients per week for 12 years. I have experience in helping clients with stress, panic attack, phobia, anxiety & trauma and PTSD, addiction, and abuse via EMDR therapy, mindfulness, somatic experiencing and Pranic Healing (non touch energy psychotherapy). I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety & trauma and abuse. 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! An emotionally hurt powerless adult sets out on a journey to reunify with one’s separated small hurt inner child who has got lost and stuck somewhere and looking for a savor. The adult stumbled wherever one went. However, the one will find the separated inner child and walk together toward a bright future.

Hello! My name is Elysa Thangchaipinyokul and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Southern California. I attended the University of Southern California and graduated in 2010 with my Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree. I've worked in mental health for over 10 years providing psychotherapy primarily to adults and older adults. I always make it a priority to provide a safe space where my clients will feel supported and validated to speak freely and express their emotions without judgment. I particularly specialize in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. I truly believe that I can work with my clients, facilitate positive change, and support inner healing.

I am licensed in California with 40 + years of professional work experience as a school counselor, In-Home Outreach Counselor, Adventure-based Counselor, Eco-therapist and ceremonialist weaved into my private practice. As a mindfulness practitioner, I utilize authentic compassionate communication, and nature's therapeutic qualities to relieve stress and anxiety, to honor life's challenges and transitional points through ceremony, and discover together new horizons for healthier choices. My non-judgmental approach to therapy creates opportunities for a co-creative process that allows our treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Working together we will develop action steps and choose a path that leads to our treatment goals. The first step to creating change is awareness, and you having the courage to reach out for help already shows me that you are ready and willing to begin the healing process. I look forward to exploring alternative choices with you.

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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 in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & depression. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.