Find a Therapist in Northridge, California.

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.

There's an old saying: "If you can't talk about it, you can't work it out." I agree. This is where psychotherapy can help. If you choose to work with me, we will work together to help you learn how to express yourself in ways that help you to identify your needs and how to get your needs met. This isn't always so easy, in particular if we are feeling guilt, anxiety, or shame. Many people simply aren't used to talking about some of the challenges of their lives. Perhaps this speaks to you. I understand. That was me at one time. What I can tell you is this: for over 25 years my clients typically report feeling better because they feel heard, understood, and truly cared for.

Psychotherapy can be a powerful tool in one's life. Most everyone can benefit from therapy regardless of what the problem or issue may be. There is always this misconception that you must have something wrong with you if you go therapy, but that is a myth. Psychotherapy can be very helpful and powerful within one self by expressing your internal feelings.

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.

People often find themselves struggling in life. Whether it is due to a particularly difficult life transition, a failed relationship, confusion about life direction, or general communication issues, there is always ways to find balance and happiness. I can help you work through the struggles that you are facing in life and bring out the happiest, most productive version of yourself. Let me help you create the life you want.

My private practice serves a diverse population of individuals, couples and families in the greater Los Angeles area. Areas of specialization include: Aging Challenges related to a cancer diagnosis for individuals and their loved ones Navigating challenging life transitions - including change of relationship status, job/career change, new parent, adjustment to college Premarital Counseling Women's Issues Anxiety and Depression Development of Self Worth and Self Esteem Grief, Loss and Bereavement Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Questioning, Poly and Transgender Support Parenting

Psychotherapy provides an opportunity for deeper understanding of our selves and how we are in the world. First, psychotherapy offers a space to finally speak about your past and present experiences with someone who is attentively listening. Putting words to these experiences and having these be heard can be incredibly grounding. From there, psychotherapy gives us a chance to be curious about patterns that we repeat again and again in different arenas without being aware. Building an awareness of ourselves helps to increase the sense of peace and satisfaction with life.

Psychotherapy is another word for counseling. Most people who are seaching for psychotherapy on the internet are wanting to work on themselves, changing patterns that are interfering with their lives and relationships. Often psychotherapy refers working a bit deeper than just a few sessions, to get at the root of problems for the most effective and most lasting change. It can be very hard work for both of us, but immensely beneficial. If this sounds interesting to you, please contact me so we can discuss it further.

The issue is not what happened to you, it’s the impact it had and how you are able to deal with it. Psychotherapy helps. It involves our talking together to address the problems you’re having in your life. We’ll see what works, what doesn’t, why not, what you’ve tried, and what other options there may be. We’ll look to understand how the difficulties came to be and what gets in the way of changing them. We’ll see what’s happening in your life now and how old patterns of thinking and behaving may interfere for you. We’ll explore other alternatives. I strongly believe people can change, and I see that happening in my office regularly. You’d be surprised how therapy can change your life.

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.

Therapy is about change, it is about conflict, it is about emotion, and it is about our relationships. People who seek therapy may feel stuck in their relationships, their jobs, or their lives in general.They may have great difficulty coming with their families, friends and partners. Often, when individuals are struggling, their perspective of people, relationships and situations in their life can be affected. Sometimes previous or ongoing trauma seriously impacts how individuals think, cope and feel about themselves. The psychotherapy I provide, works in looking at, understanding and changing those perceptions and providing skills necessary for a new/different way of relating/communicating.

I love helping people transform their lives and get the Aha moments that lead to real change. Therapy to me is about making internal changes to the way that we think, as well as, understanding why we feel what we feel. I believe it is the little choices we make that make huge impacts in our daily living. Great therapy transforms your relationships, your confidence at school or work, and your perspective on life.

My approach to psychotherapy does not involve years of talk about issues until the client reaches a "catharsis," and suddenly is cured. It is more of a collaboration and involves the client to engage in his own therapy. We look for solutions, rather than talking about "problems" endlessly. As a person-centered therapist, I believe an authentic, respectful and caring relationship with the client fosters growth and self-actualization. The use of cognive-behavioral methods, allows us to look for underlying beliefs the client may have about his place in the world, and unrealistic thought patterns, such as "all-or-nothing" thinking. These can be redirected to provide positive outomes.