Find a Therapist in La Mirada, California.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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).

I believe that everyone can benefit from psychotherapy. We live in a busy world and because of this, we often put our own needs aside to focus on others. However, we all have difficult periods in our lives, along with issues that cause frustration and therapy is used to heal those upsetting feelings and learn constructive ways to deal with them. This is accomplished by making changes to the parts of your life that aren’t working for you or are contributing to your issues. Some of the main benefits of therapy are the feelings of validation and understanding that you receive, the new perspectives that you gain on various issues, and the learned techniques to cope with life’s frustrations.

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.

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.

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.

If you are anxious and feel sad, you probably would respond well to psychotherapy. It is often unwanted behaviors that prompt the search for a counselor. You can uncover the negative deeply held beliefs and feelings that are holding you back and influencing your behaviors. This is a freeing and healing process that can lead to well being and happiness that we all seek.

My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that by uncovering the source of our problems, we can work together to heal and find a sense of confidence and clarity. I provide unique and tailored psychoanalytic therapies to help my clients make sense of their lives and better understand the source of their issues. When the source is identified, a path to wellness can be established. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment, free of judgment and pressure, where my clients can look into their emotions, experiences, and behaviors to gain insight and clarity. I believe that understanding our emotions is the key to unlocking our potential and finding relief and healing.