Therapists in Riverbank, CA

Hello and welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Shallymar Bender and Iearned my Masters in Social Work in California in 2013 and have practiced in California since. I have experience in working with children ages 0-21 in individual and group settings, as well as working with parents to provide parenting skills and techniques to help achieve the child's goals. I have worked with children independently in school settings, office settings, as well as in their homes. My focus was helping to stabilize crisis situations (i.e. depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) as well as helping to maintain progress that had been made. In providing services, I have also acted as a parent partner in team treatments, and with this I helped parents learn and apply skills and techniques to promote positive behaviors and improve relationship with child and parents. Currently, I have been working with individuals struggling with depression and/or anxiety, providing support in meeting personal goals, as well as providing education about future goals individuals may have (i.e. college, work force, etc.). I use skills from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) as well as other areas to help individuals work toward feeling better. I feel that being open minded and non-judgmental is important when someone shares their personal story with me, as well as the client's comfort in working with a therapist. I do want to ensure that you are comfortable in the therapy relationship with me as it is important for you to get the best fit as possible. My focus is strength based, meaning I see strength in all my clients and will use this to empower clients to improve and work through life's struggles. I look forward to working with you and help you to meet your goals. Feel free to message me and we can connect and discuss best therapy methods for you. Thank you, Shallymar

Hello and welcome, I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. I received my Masters in Psychology, Bachelors in Psychology, Bachelors in Anthropology, and Minor in Business from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. I have been providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy since 2014. I utilize psychodynamic and attachment theory and a neurobiological approach to trauma during therapy (live chat) sessions. I am trained and have a specialized background working with complex trauma including childhood and sexual abuse, domestic violence, perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and parenting/ co-parenting. I work hard to provide a safe space where you can express your feelings and thoughts without judgment. You deserve to heal and find joy in life, and I am here to support you in this.

Hello! My name is Melissa and I love what I do! Counseling people is my life's work and I've been doing it 14 years. Whatever it is you are going through, I can assure you, I have worked with someone who has dealt with something similar. I specialize in treating addiction issues, as I've worked in 5 different in-patient drug and alcohol treatment centers/rehabs in my career. Though I have years of professional experience working with an array of all kinds of issues and different populations. I greatly enjoy working with individuals and families. I also have several years experience working with teens, including those who have grown up in the system, been abused, and at high-risk, or with behavioral or learning problems. Clients feedback is often reported to me as: I am "easy to talk to," "friendly," and "down to earth." I've also been told I am helpful and a "good listener;" that is important to me. I am mostly solution-focused, meaning...I want to understand the problem, but then want to get into the tough work of finding solutions as soon as possible. As a therapist, I have a lot of empathy, am caring, and invested in improving your life circumstances. I am non-judgmental and believe that no matter how similar or different we may be, we can work together and develop a rapport. We can start right away, opening lines of communication so I can understand where you are coming from and help in anyway I can. My hope is to develop a warm, and trusting relationship in which you feel comfortable, and heard. One of my favorite things to hear as a therapist from a client is, "exactly," because I know we are on the same page, and I smile when a client says after session, " I feel much better." That is my aspiration, to help, and get to know you. Please understand that this is not just a job for me. I am genuinely here for you! Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and learn more about me as a professional.

Hello and welcome! I know from experience that sometimes it takes a great deal of courage to take the step to contact a therapist. So, thank you for reading! I am a graduate of the University of Southern California (also the University of Michigan) with over fifteen years’ experience as a psychotherapist treating individuals, couples/partners, children/adolescents, families and groups. My clinical training was at Saban Community Clinic, treating a diverse array of patients with wide ranging conditions. I enjoyed the team approach at Saban, which included medical and psychiatric practitioners. I have been licensed and in private practice in Los Angeles, CA since 2017. I offer an individualized approach to therapy, beginning by meeting the client where he/she is in the moment according to the client's needs. The goal is for you to be able to express yourself, be comfortable and ultimately realize your human potential and be happy in your own skin. There are many ‘schools’ of therapy. Some useful approaches I have found have been: Person-Centered Therapy: a non-directive, collaborative approach, often called ‘guided discovery’ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): the relationship between emotions, thoughts and behaviors Solution Focused Brief Therapy: focusing on client strengths, skills and goals Mindfulness Training: being fully present in the moment without judgment Psychodynamic/Self-Psychology: self-identity; developing a healthy understanding of who you are These are brief descriptions. If there is something of interest you know about please let me know and we can discuss. My profession requires 36 hours of continuing education for license renewal every two years. Some common areas of treatment include: • Depression and Anxiety (which often occur together) • Obsessions, Compulsions, Phobias (which tend to have an anxiety basis) • Personality Disorders • Mood Disorders • Trauma and Abuse Survivors; Support and Recovery • Communication/Intimacy; Relationships; Attachment • Living an Authentic Life; Self; Identity • Parenting Support • Grief Counseling • Work and Career issues, Stress Management • Addiction & Recovery (Assessment and Referral) • Eating Disorders (Assessment and Referral) • Cultural Diversity Issues • Sports and Creative Arts Performance Among my skills is complex differential diagnosis. Since many symptoms overlap more than one diagnostic category (and therefore guide treatment planning), a deeper understanding of the client is important. Treatment doesn’t necessarily have to take a long time. CBT and Mindfulness may provide benefits very quickly. If a condition is beyond my scope of practice I will provide guidance and appropriate referrals. In addition to being a psychotherapist, I have substantial interests in the creative arts and am a songwriter and musician myself. I am committed to meeting the client where he/she is in the moment and collaborating on goals to meet his/her needs, provide support and help the client address whatever challenges he/she might face. My approach is to provide warmth, empathy and understanding to help the individual build on his/her strengths and attain the personal growth he/she is committed to accomplishing. Best of luck in your life journey. I look forward to meeting you!

I understand how challenging it is to come to therapy and speak of subjects that can bring about fear, anxiety and feelings of being judged. Therapy is the safest of environments to bring up topics that have brought about great pain or arrest in one’s life. My hope for you is that therapy becomes a useful tool to transform your life into how you envision it to be. Life is too short not to be lived out to its fullest potential. By working with you, I hope to collaborate in a transformation process where life goals come to fruition. As your therapist, I am your advocate and will support you in all areas where challenges, obstacles and barriers are encountered. I hope this message finds you well and instills a sense of hope that anything, if one’s mind I put to it, is possible to change for the better. I am Licensed Psychotherapist in the state of California with a focused practice dealing with client trauma. I use a number of treatment modalities from Cognitive Behavioral, Existential to Object Relations therapy to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, grief/loss. I have been providing individual and group therapy services in agency and private practice settings for over 15 years. My educational background consists of an MA in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University.

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I work solely with clients dealing with porn and sex addiction. I am nonjudgemental and I treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our sessions 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 clinically licensed in California with 5 years of professional psychotherapy practice. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder (expertise), psychosis, trauma/abuse, and bipolar disorder. 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 shows your own internal compass that desires wellness and emotional health, so that's great you are looking for the right fit!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience in mental health. Within my 10 years of providing service, 5 Years were Focused on Military Service Members & Families. Currently as a psychotherapist, I provide services to civilians and service members. I am dedicated to continuing to grow, I enjoy discovering innovative ways to serve those in need and consider myself as a dedicated lifelong learner. My clients describe me as an authentic, compassionate, and encouraging therapist who educates, provides a safe space for them to express themselves, and be understood while simultaneously being challenged to grow. My baseline and foundation for providing therapy is to have an unconditional-positive-therapeutic regard for my clients. Additionally, my approach is thorough, engaging, thoughtful, hopeful, person-centered and at times, challenging (when necessary). It is my goal to help my clients discover and/or reconnect with their higher self, increase peace and accept joy. I specialize in working with people who need guidance in the process to find their voice, improve self-esteem, recognize self-worth, rewire negative thinking patterns, increase hope, secure internal and external motivators, heal, develop, and thrive (living beyond survival)! I believe clients are the experts on their own situation and there’s so much to learn through actively listening. I value integrity, honesty, hard-work and education. As a social servant, it is my desire to assist individuals, families, groups and organizations meet their desired goals with emphasis in holistic wellness and social well-being.

Originally from Ireland, I have been living in California for almost 30 years. I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, 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. My overall training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy though I will tailor our time 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 and empower you in that journey.

My guess is you hate the person in the mirror because they are so different from what you pictured for yourself by now. You don't know how anyone else could love you because you can't even stand yourself. Are you lost in life and searching for purpose? Maybe you've lost that initial spark in your relationship and are desperately trying to get that feeling back. Or stuck in a rut at your job and just want to quit. You overthink everything and somehow you accomplish nothing. Life has got you overwhelmed, exhausted, unmotivated, hopeless and wondering why you even get out of bed in the morning. Are you getting in your own way? Imagine one day you wake up motivated for your dream job, you actually smile back at the person in the mirror, you are surrounded by people who light your fire all day, and you get excited for the life you created after work. That's what it feels like when you have developed self-worth. It takes a brave soul to get in touch with one's vulberabilities, but if you do that you will better understand what you truly need and how to effectively get it. The first step is learning to love and take better care of yourself. It's time to put you first! I have worked in a range of settings (community, residential, private practice) for the last 6 years. I have intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy which helps clients better regulate their emotions and work well with others. My specialty is working on mindfulness and mind/body connection because I believe that when we take some time to listen to our bodies, we find the ability to better take care of ourselves and truly understand what we need. I believe in the importance of self-care and self-love which will ultimately attract the life you want and help improve relationships with others. When we allow ourselves to embrace our vulnerabilities, we can come out on top as stronger, more confident individuals and accomplish our goals. My strongest specialties include helping clients improve self-esteem, understanding the weight loss journey, anxiety management, identity issues, and relationship issues. I can help you because I was that person above once. I've done the transformation myself and have the DBT and mindfulness skills that will teach you how to love yourself, work well with others, handle your emotions, and attract the life you want. Together we will discover ways to be more comfortable being you and better able to navigate the stressors surrounding you.