Find a Therapist in Laguna Woods, California.

I have a warm, compassionate, down-to-earth style. I focus on helping people improve self-awareness, learn self-acceptance and create greater intimacy in their relationships. I believe in creating a sacred space where individuals can honor their true feelings and learn to let go of shame. I do not offer trite clichés or stereotypical therapeutic interventions; my treatment approach helps individuals develop mindfulness, curiosity and self-compassion. Your wounds will be honored, your imagination will be cherished and your dreams will be respected. Most importantly, I am dedicated to supporting your healing and growth.

Therapy is not a one size fits all experience. Though I extensively trained to understand specific theories of practice, I utilize a "prescriptive" approach. This means I will adapt to your needs in treatment. Therapy is co-created, it is relational, and it is in the therapeutic relationship where we seek personal growth to apply outside the therapy room. I work with adult individual clients who are grieving a significant loss, LGBTIQ+ adults, adults with creative blocks, neurodivergent adults, people pleasers, those recovering from trauma, and adults burnt out about their work.

Therapy can provide teens and college students with a safe and trusting environment that facilitates healing, transformation, and growth. The therapeutic relationship is built over time to create a safe refuge from the storms of life. Dr. Parke has a highly relational approach that also integrates what the research has shown to be most effective in addressing people's suffering. Therapy is an opportunity for you to examine your life story and create new meaning for a brighter tomorrow, regardless of the circumstances of your past. No matter what your story has been, there is hope and change is possible.

Individual therapy can be one of the most exciting journeys one may ever take. The willingness to "look within" with a professional therapist will help you discover new insights, awarenesses and self knowledge. Looking at your strengths as well as your weaknesses can help you grow. Looking at your fears, your insecuritiees, your esteem, your counter productive behaviors and discovering the "core" can help you break free from negative thoughts, depression and anxiety. Self awareness can lead to a better understanding of self, which will usually lead to better relationships. The quality of your life can be increased on the journey of therapy.

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.

I work with an entire person--the mind, emotions, body, spirit, relationships. I offer an alternative approach to traditional psychotherapy because sometimes we are stuck beyond our thoughts. I believe we are often stuck beyond how we think about something, but by how our body holds and remembers the experiences. After all, we feel the anxiety in our chest, shoulders or stomach. When we are depressed, we struggle to move, sleep, concentrate etc. I work to remove the block from wherever it is stuck. My clients come to me after years of ineffective therapy. They are looking for more than talking about their struggles or identifying how they think about them in favor of a change in living.

Finding the right therapist is vital to the growth and healing of the individual. My goal is to uncover what my clients need and find ways to help them activate this within session and within their lives. I am very active, encouraging, using humor and stories or videos to help them reframe the areas were they are stuck or confused. My goal is to help them see that the tapes that they believe are no longer helping them and to give them the freedom to see themself with new eyes.

Many of us seek therapy to get relief from emotional distress, or to manage a problem that we are having in our lives. But often, those problems are connected to something deeper and causes us to feel “stuck” in patterns that we are unaware of. A full exploration of your history helps to uncover those more unconscious thoughts and reactions. Learning to manage the problems, while also addressing the underlying triggers is a crucial part in feeling more effective.

Over the past 30 years I have developed proficiency in a range of approaches to help people overcome dysfunctional patterns of behavior, emotions/physiological reactions, thinking, and in their relationships with others. Out of this experience I have developed my own approach to psychotherapy which integrates all of the styles I have learned. Now, I don't do a one size fits all approach. Instead I work with each person that comes to me to construct their own individualized treatment that usually pulls from several different approaches.

After 30 years as a practicing pschotherapist, I have learned effective ways that allow my clients to feel safe, empowered, and to heal in an invironment that is both confidential and respectful. I am a solution oriented therapist and while I feel that the past experiences do have an impact on who we are today, I believe the current experiences are much more telling and important. My clients are actively involved in their therapy goals and outcomes, as we work together to achieve healing, growth and change. There are many effective tools I introduce in therapy that can help in communication and assisting you with expressing feelings and emotiions more effectively.

In laymen's terms, psychotherapy is the opportunity to talk about and process your problems or challenges with a trained therapist. Sometimes, we don't need someone to try to fix our problems for us, which is what most of our friends try to do when we talk about them. Sometimes we need someone who will listen and be a sounding board so we can think through and process for ourselves. I want to support you with your goals and your needs and we can make a therapy plan (psychotherapy or other types) that you feel will best suit your needs. Most importantly, I provide that safe environment for you to be able to be vulnerable, talk about, and process whatever is on your heart and in your mind.

My approach to psychotherapy is very customized. Every individual comes with their own beliefs, values, and family of origin. Because of this, one size does not fit all. I am very careful to take the time to learn my clients and their needs. I help my clients walk toward the directions they desire. I come to you with over 35 years of experience in helping others to heal. Whether it is addiction, abuse, grief, relationship struggles, or stress, I can help. I look forward to assisting you with your life challenges.

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.

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.

Laura Adams PsyD MFT and Psychoanalyst is located in South Orange County CA with offices in Mission Viejo and Newport Beach. Dr. Adams uses a psychodynamic approach with individuals, couples and families dealing with long-term issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, grief and loss, addictions, anger, infidelity, and fear. Call Dr. Adams directly at (949) 244-1992 or visit www.SouthOCTherapist.com

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.

Are you tired of feeling unhappy? Do you know that things need to change, but are uncertain how to get there? Would you like support in getting your life back on track, finding yourself again, or making a change that will help you feel better again? We all go through periods where we need a change, but are uncertain or feel unable to get there. Counseling can help. Having someone be there to support and encourage you, help you make important decisions, and hold you accountable can make all the difference. I will help you create the life and relationships you've been wanting to live.

I do short-term solutions-oriented therapy to help you think differently about yourself and your world and then develop skills to better deal with your issues from the past or to better deal with current areas of difficulty. We start by assessing problem areas, and then deciding together how best to approach them and what result we would like at the end of therapy. Therapy itself involves talking in sessions, and feedback from me,but also many other skill-building activities such as reading, practicing new behaviors between sessions, and doing things to reduce life stress.