Find a Therapist in La Crescenta, California.

Having the desire to deeply experience, explore, and feel our emotions that are related to both present and past circumstances is at the core of the process. Unexamined feelings can often lead to negative feeling or experiences which their cause is not understand. The process of understanding one’s feelings and emotions allows us to grow. Psychotherapy can awaken us to discover the real reason we choose our behaviors.

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.

I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is the most effective treatment for depression and anxiety. There are different subsets of CBT, therefore, depending on the diagnosis and symptoms, I will tailor the treatment to you. For example, many of the anxieties require "exposure" therapy, which will help you confront and cope with your fears in a controlled, safe and effective manner. It's all about coping skills, which is my job to provide to you. Many therapies do not provide this type of treatment, which is why many people still experience panic, phobias or OCD even when they've seen a therapist. It's important to find a therapist who specializes in CBT with exposure.

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 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.

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 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 psychotherapy is mostly relational. I take a family systems approach that addresses relationships in my clients' lives and improves their functioning for better health and happiness. Clients under my care learn how to unilaterally improve the functioning of a relationship through boundaries and self-confrontation. The result is individuals and relationships that thrive.

Psychotherapy is primarily about creating a safe place to be open with your thoughts and feelings. When you can be understood in what you are experiencing a new connection. In this process of connecting healing occurs. We change when we are understood. The therapy relationship is such a place where you can be more fully understood. As this occur's, new energy and hope emerges. We are set free to live our authentic and unique self.

Ask yourself, when was the last time I invested in me, my own well-being and overall health? Psychotherapy offers you the opportunity to express your unspoken fears and worries in a healthy way while learning insight as to the causes of the underlying issue. While supported by your therapist, you have the opportunity to explore and process the impact of life events (ie., childhood experiences/relationships, major life changes such as marriage, birth of a child, divorce, loss of a loved one, and current relationships) in a non-judging environment that will afford you the opportunity to improve your overall level of functioning.

Are you struggling with insomnia, or worrying constantly? Do you have a traumatic event in your past that is haunting you? Have your relationships become difficult to manage? Are you concerned about your effectiveness as a parent? Is your family in a constant state of conflict and unable to effectively communicate? Psychotherapy is an effective way for helping individuals and families better cope with these circumstances, as well as other overwhelming life events and concerns. Working with individuals and families to create a safe where they can work through their challenges and develop strategies for a more fulfilling life.

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.

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.