Find a Therapist in Del Aire, California.

My view of psychotherapy is a very personal one. My relationship with my clients is of utmost importance, because our work needs to feel safe, respectful, caring and effective. My clients and I decide together on goals for our work. The safety can allow my clients to explore parts of themselves and their histories that have shaped their views of self and views of others, including the meaning of life and their deepest fears and needs. Our work will respect who you are, what you have experienced, your fondest desires, and the blocks you have learned to set up for your protection and that perhaps no longer serve you. You may find that you no longer have to feel alone and untended.

I truly believe psychotherapy provides a healing, transforming relationship that will ultimately empower you to make long-lasting life changes. One main goal in my personal therapeutic approach is to fundamentally change the struggle you likely have with your thoughts and feelings, so you can be free to experience a better quality of life. I tend to utilize a variety of therapeutic frameworks to conceptualize and fit your specific needs, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Relational Therapy, Family Systems, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

I enjoy working with adults and adolescents and specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, self-harm and other maladaptive behaviors (including underlying issues of anxiety, depression and trauma), which may be preventing my clients from living a life of inner peace and enjoying fulfilling connections with others. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist through the California State Board of Psychology (PSY 27951).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on a person's thoughts and beliefs, and how they influence a person's emotions and actions. As a client, you will learn how to identify distorted or unhelpful thinking patterns, recognize and change inaccurate beliefs, relate to others in more positive ways, and change behaviors accordingly. CBT's ability to help change a person's thinking to be more adaptive, effective, and healthy, while helping them change unhealthy behavior patterns, will lead to the alleviation of symptoms and an improved quality of life.

My clients often find me easy to talk to and say they feel comfortable with me, trusting quickly. This can make the psychotherapeutic process easier and more effective for my clients, especially if they are nervous or don’t know what to expect. Therapy with me can range from just talking casually with each other, leading to insights, increased self awareness, and processing through emotional issues, or it could be more intensive deeper therapy like EMDR.

Psychotherapy can provide you with insights and concrete strategies for coping and growing. We all have experienced frustrations from childhood that can develop into triggers, provoking intense feelings. Therefore we look for triggers and their roots, explore thoughts and feelings to facilitate understanding and healing. The focus is on new coping skills, relaxation techniques, restructuring your thoughts. You also learn to live more consciously and apply new strategies. It takes time -- it’s like building muscle strength. In close collaboration, we will together monitor your changes and process your reactions to weekly events as they relate to our work.

Processing and validating experiences with a trusted professional can facilitate healing. Therapeutic relationships provide an opportunity for self-reflection, connection, and growth. Increased self-awareness can benefit our relationships, decision-making skills, and overall well-being. I am committed to supporting your individual process and maintaining a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Psychotherapy is a fun, engaging, and transformative process! As your therapist I will work closely with you to identify what is working in your life, as well as what is missing and what isn't working. We will identify your real, hidden and emergent dreams, and goals. I will hold you accountable to making the changes you desire real, and this will further assist you in becoming more of the person that you want to be. I have assisted countless individuals and couples in the process of self discovery, living your truth, and living an identity of your choice, not one ascribed to you.

I have 20 years of diverse professional experiences and extensive training. I am a published writer, lecturer and passionate about my field. I specialize working with Individual Adults and Teens. My style is conversational, and I strive for a collaborative and compassionate practice with my clients. Though, I am trained in a variety of therapies, I primarily work in narrative and psychodynamic theory. Additionally, I may draw upon other similar or complimentary theoretical approaches to create a highly personalized treatment plan based on your needs and goals.

People go to therapy to address a problem that is distressing them and causing interference in a significant aspect of their life (work, social life, interpersonal relationships, sleep, etc.) After the immediate problem is resolved or significantly reduced, most of my clients continue to stay in therapy because they have started noticing a change in themselves that they like! To me, therapy isn't just about reducing symptoms. It is about much more. It's about experiencing meaning in life. It's about connecting with the best version of ourselves and knowing that person is there within us. That's true self-confidence. My clients tend to tell me they feel more "whole". That's therapy to me.

If your young adult is feeling isolated and alone, I can help them explore the circumstances that have led them to this place in their life. Sometimes healing is derived from simply gaining understanding of how their life experiences have impacted them and shaped who they are. I can help your young adult examine how their early childhood experiences have influenced the lens through which they currently view the world. I can also help them evaluate any rules they made up about the meaning of life. Together, we can design a new and more fulfilling story for their future.

As a psychotherapist, it is my belief that by entering therapy, a client is entering a journey of self exploration that leads to personal growth and fulfillment. I believe it takes courage and strength for an individual to accept the challenges in their lives and take steps toward health and happiness. I am a directive therapist who educates, teaches, and instill insight for my clients that enhances their relationship within themselves and with others. I guide clients in obtaining insight as to sources that hinder their potential for happiness as well as provide coping mechanisms and tools clients can utilize to manage their emotional challenges.

VOBH helps individual and group clients strengthen the relationship between human behaviors and the well being of the body, mind, and spirit. We provide a wide array of behavioral health services that will help you achieve a greater sense of self-awareness, which grounds you in your daily life and creates a more joyful existence. We value diversity and recognize the importance of finding a psychologist and therapeutic approach that works best for your current needs.