Find a Therapist in Gardena, California.

Meetings typically feel like engaging conversations where together we take on a problem (or a set of problems) that has been affecting your life in a way that is not what you want. Over the course of these conversations, you might expect to gain a better sense of where you stand and how you want to proceed, based on your skills, your resourcefulness, and what is truly important to you.

I'm a seasoned licensed individual therapist with a focus on how relationships shape our personalities and overall mental health. I use a comprehensive blend of therapeutic approaches including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, and Object-Relations Psychotherapy. Tailoring to the unique needs of individuals seeking personal growth, I empower clients to explore underlying patterns and emotional complexities. With an empathetic and goal-oriented perspective, clients find a path towards self-awareness, emotional balance, and confidence. My deep commitment to individual well-being positions me as an ideal guide for those seeking to transform and enhance their lives in therapy.

I take a strengths based, humanistic, person centered focus toward psychotherapy. This allows us to approach your issues directly based on your experience with the issues you are facing. Beginning with your strengths, we will look at how you have managed the issues so far focusing on what has worked and expand on these options. At times you may be challenged and confronted with difficult yet realistic options for change. I work to provide positive feedback and encourage you to consider new techniques which may be just a little bit outside of your comfort zone. Through discussion in an open, honest, safe and supportive environment, we will work toward your growth toward your goals.

My approach to therapy incorporates the belief that the way people function, behave, think, feel, and relate to others is impacted by their life experiences. As children (and even in adulthood) we learn about ourselves and the world around us from the experiences we have. The choice to come to therapy is a courageous one rooted in a decision to explore how past (and/or current) experiences may be contributing to current challenges. I work with my clients to help them increase overall wellness and life satisfaction by exploring past experiences, current challenges, and how their choices, actions, and beliefs can be used to promote healing.

The unconscious always wins. Often times we think we know why we do what we do---but we don't. The opportunity cost of not knowing can be huge. In my work I help clients get to the bottom of why they are doing what they are doing. When we have the insight, we can make new choices. Maybe you're dealing with a big decision in your career or relationships, maybe you struggle feeling confidence or self esteem. Whatever the case may be--I'm here to help.

The fact that you are considering psychotherapy shows that you are taking a powerful and courageous step towards enriching your life. I specialize in providing psychotherapy in an empathic, stimulating, and collaborative environment that will help you heal, grow, and find fulfillment in your life. Together we will explore your unique personal circumstances and come to understand how these circumstances have effected and continue to effect your life. Ultimately, we will explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that you can heal and grow.

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.

The most important indicator of success in therapy is the therapeutic relationship. From the moment we meet, we will build the trust and rapport which will crucial to your success in therapy. I use a variety of approaches including attachment, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy in my work to help my clients attain their goals of maximum well being. My clients are wonderfully individual, so I base my orientation on their insight and understanding of their situation.

Psychotherapy on it's own or in combination with medication services can have a profound positive impact on a person's livelihood. Often times, there are patterns and cycles in life that an individual might be unaware of. It is my job to learn about a person through talk therapy, and conceptualize and help bring awareness to these patterns and cycles. Awareness is the first step towards change.

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.

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.

I am a psychodynamic trained therapist. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of depth psychology and is similar to psychoanalysis. It is also known as insight-oriented therapy and focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behavior. The goals are for a client to become self-aware and understand the influence of their past on their present behaviors. The psychodynamic approach enables the client to examine unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from past dysfunctional relationships.

My approach to psychotherapy is specialized to each individual I work with. Even though symptoms of eating disorders and the underlying issues may be common amongst people who suffer from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, understanding one's own personal history, story and psychology is what helps develop insight and sustain change. It is my clinical belief that eating disorders, self injury and compulsive shopping each provide a sense of emotional soothing and regulation that may be absent or limited in the person who suffers from one of these "hunger diseases". In my clinical work, I help people develop emotional regulation skills and insight.

Are you interested in getting relief and finding solutions? Would you like to feel good about your life and relationships? I use empirical research and science across multiple disciplines to show clients just like you how you can get real-world, tangible, time-tested, and long-lasting, results that lead to optimal mental and relational health. Mental and relational health is not just a reduction in symptoms and problems. Instead, they are increases in self-control and empowerment, as well as acceptance, freedom, kindness, compassion, safety, and understanding - for yourself and others.

Nobody said you have to do it all by yourself! If you've never seen a professional counselor, you're probably a bit nervous or uneasy--it's nothing like in the movies or on TV. At CCRG, we know what it's like to start with a new therapist, and our aim is to make you as comfortable as possible. Call us for a free phone conversation--we'll connect you the right way!

I have almost 20 years experience treating individuals and couples in psychotherapy. I find that finding a good match with your psychotherapist is of utmost importance. One needs to feel safe with the therapist and in the environment in order to feel more comfortable to share extremely personal and become emotionally vulnerable for the process to be more beneficial. I have treated individuals and couples of ethically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQ community who have offered me the feedback of feeling surprisingly comfortable undertaking the psychotherapeutic process with me.

Are problems from your past creating issues for you today? Do you need help learning more constructive ways to deal with life's challenges? Do you feel stuck in the same unhealthy patterns, and can't find your way out of them? If this sounds like you, I'd like to help. I am committed to creating a place where you feel safe to heal, and uncover emotional wounds and memories, so that you don't continue with self-defeating, maladaptive behaviors.

Psychotherapy can be a frightening word because “psycho” brings up images of Norman Bates and he is certainly someone none of us want to be associated with. The truth is that psychotherapy is just a fancy word for counseling. If “therapy” is used alone, people ask if it is physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc. A prefix was needed to distinguish it from other therapies and unfortunately “psycho” was chosen. Please don’t let the word stop you from seeking any necessary help you may be seeking. Needing help doesn’t mean you are crazy or that you are weak. We all need help at various stages of our lives and if you are in need now, please let me assist you. Call me at 714-751-0888.

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.

Most of us don’t think about our mental health until we have a disorder or a serious problem that impacts us negatively. Many of us have learned communication, coping skills, and parenting skills from our caregivers which have not always been positive or helpful. Through our life experiences we develop good or bad habits, a positive or negative world view, effective or poor communication skills, healthy or unhealthy coping skills. Therapy by a professional can teach you new skills and behaviors to improve your relationships, increase your satisfaction and happiness, and improve your overall well being.

Psychotherapy provides a supportive and steady space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while uncovering the patterns that hold you back. My approach is both compassionate and practical, helping you gain insight, develop healthier coping strategies, and create meaningful change. Whether you are navigating stress, trauma, relationship challenges, or personal growth, therapy offers tools to build resilience, self-awareness, and clarity so you can move forward with confidence and purpose.

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.

My goal is to provide a safe and non-judgmental place where I can help my clients reach their full potential by processing feelings (past and present issues), improving communication, and exploring family issues that may be a barrier to success. I have worked with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families with various issues including: Depression, Anxiety, Communication, Coming Out Issues, Increasing Intimacy, Sexual Identity, Attention Problems, Self Esteem, Anger Management, Addiction Issues, Bereavement, Relationship Issues and Trauma.

Psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods to help a person change behavior and overcome problems in a positive manner. Its aim is to help people understand the thoughts behind feeling anxious or depressed and addressing these thinking patterns. Psychotherapy will help you change behaviors and habits that are limiting you, to experiencing your fullest potential.

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.