Therapists in 92647

As a parent, there is nothing that you wouldn't do for your child and their success. However, sometimes the day to day stress and demands of everyday life impact our relationships in a negative way. I have over 15 years experience working directly with children, adolescents, and families struggling with a variety of issues.

Nobody’s childhood dream was to grow up and feel overwhelmed, alone, stuck or unworthy. I aim to help individuals heal from trauma-related issues such as anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues. If you find yourself living without a navigation system to understand emotional terrain or trauma that impacts your well-being; you are not alone. All of us go through rough patches in our lives. My approach is specific to meet your unique needs in a safe and non-judgemental space.

If you find yourself feeling lost, isolated, depressed and unable to make positive changes in your life, then I can help. I can work with you to gain more fulfillment in your own life with your partner, family, children or friends. My clients state that my caring heart and non-judgmental style are key factors which help them navigate through difficult times. I will walk with you and together we will move towards a brighter future.

Needing the help of another person is one of the most complicated challenges we face as human beings. It can make us feel we are broken, that we are too little or too much, and that it would all be best kept inside rather than talked about in the open. Good help, however, can transform shame into acceptance, stuckness into movement, and self-distortion into alignment with our true selves. I specialize in and have extensive training and research experience in treating trauma, including PTSD, dissociative disorders, and childhood abuse. I also have specialties in and enjoy working with interracial relationships and men's issues.

Life can be difficult. Often what we envisioned for ourselves is not matching the reality. We feel overwhelmed, sad, angry, we question ourselves and sometimes life itself. This can be lonely. A client and therapist relationship is key to creating a sense of comfort and trust for clients to open up, talk about their situation, discover their true thoughts and feelings, begin to heal, and feel empowered to handle whatever life puts before them.

Do you feel you are cruising through life without having any clue who you truly are, what your passion is, what your talents are, and who you want to be? Do you feel stuck in a job you hate, a toxic relationship, or a negative mindset? If questions like 'who am I?' and 'why am I here on earth?' bug you because you can’t seem to find an answer, you are not alone. This is where I step in & work with you to answer these tough questions.

I believe therapy is an opportunity to be fully heard and supported as you navigate your way through what may be a tough time for you. Perhaps you have been struggling to figure things out on your own for sometime now and could use some additional support. I see therapy as an opportunity to be heard, understood, identify strengths and develop skills and resources that may increase quality of life. I love to support people to enrich their relationship with themselves and others as well as increase their self care.

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, mood disorders, anxiety, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

I am a licensed psychologist. My work is based on the contemporary research in the areas of development, attachment, neuropsychology, and psychoanalysis. This research indicates that a therapeutic relationship can help rework a person's internal emotional world and cognitive capabilities. The growth in therapy allows individuals to engage in more genuine and intimate relationships with others and to see themselves differently. It helps them be more effective in school and at work. I use a compassionate, practical, relational, and researched approach to help clients achieve meaningful lasting change.

Life can be more challenging and painful than we would like it to be. Sometimes we feel stuck and confused, and may have a difficult time figuring out what to do next, or how to make things better. My hope is to support you through these challenging moments, and to help you process and move forward from these sources of pain. I work with a range of clients and issues, but am passionate about issues involving self-esteem, relationship issues, childhood trauma, depression, and anxiety. I gravitate towards working with adults and teens struggling to navigate the world and looking to develop a stronger sense of self.

My ideal clients are adult victims of the repercussions of childhood trauma, war veterans, work stress issues, end of life, relational problems. I work especially well with men in retirement and those caught in the fight/ flight/ freeze response that shuts down their limbic system resulting in physical illness, anger/ dispare, dysfunctional memories, insomnia, dissociation and gross negative thinking. I focus particularly on working with men of all ages. Those who get caught in male stereotypes hide their pain and hurt resulting in loneliness, addiction especially men experiencing allenation from families, work in later life.

My counseling style is warm and empathetic. I consider it a privilege to be allowed to know your story and bring any tools I can to help you on your journey. I believe in being an authentic person in therapy sessions, as such my style is interactive and engaging. I believe in challenging the thoughts and patterns which can keep us stuck but always doing so in a respectful and inquisitive manner.

Welcome to my practice. I have about 15 years of clinical experience and have been featured on NBC/KCAL/HLN as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the game.” -Randy Pausch Have you found yourself tired of your current situation thinking something has to change? Do you struggle knowing where to start or implementing changes that lead to long term success? I believe change and healing begin with awareness and like most things in life, a willingness to put in the time and effort for long term gain.

I provide individual, couples, and family therapy at my private practice on the Huntington Beach Hospital campus. Much of my work is with clients struggling with anxiety, dysphoria, or depression, or in their relationships with their romantic partners/spouses or their families-of-origin. I find strengths they've forgotten they have that can be used to defeat their problems. I use Narrative and Cognitive-Behavioral therapies and when working with couples I use Emotion Focused Therapy. Research has shown that 70-75% of couples who undergo EFT become closer and more intimate and 90% of them show significant improvements.

It takes an incredible amount of courage to admit our own insecurities and difficulties. To seek help through therapy requires even more determination and strength. Therefore, I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment and work together collaboratively to achieve your mental health goals.