Therapists in Westlake Village, CA

We all have moments of difficulty in our lives. Sometimes these difficulties are due to unexpected life circumstances or life transitions and some difficulties are caused by underlining mental health challenges or disorders. Engaging in therapy is one tool that a person can use to assist with working through and managing these difficulties.

Do you feel overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts/images or unrelenting anxiety? Are you constantly seeking reassurance or performing rituals to feel better? You may be experiencing OCD or an Anxiety disorder. These disorders operate on what we call the Vicious Cycle: 1) encounter trigger or obsessive thought/image 2) experience distress 3) engage in compulsions or safety behaviors, which leads to 4) relief. The frustrating part about this cycle is that the relief is short-lived. Before you know it, the intrusive thoughts/images and compulsions are back, taking up more time and mental resources to cope.

Do you find yourself struggling with intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors? Are you noticing skin picking, hair pulling, or nail biting? Do you feel the need to acquire new items and/or hold onto existing items? You may be suffering from OCD, Anxiety, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), and/or Hoarding Disorder. These disorders can feel isolating and overwhelming, but there are evidenced-based treatments that can help!

Are you experiencing debilitating intrusive thoughts and obsessions that will not get out of your head? Do you have to engage in time-consuming rituals to get through the day? You may be suffering from OCD or another anxiety disorder. These symptoms do not have to control your life, and it is possible to break free from your vicious anxiety cycle! In my practice, I utilize Evidence-Based Practices to treat OCD and Anxiety, including CBT, ERP, ACT, and Cognitive Based Mindfulness.

I specialize in addressing concerns related to OCD, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life adjustment issues. I aim to work collaboratively with my clients to empower them to find the solutions that work best for them. Before beginning my career as a therapist, I spent several years working in various sectors of the entertainment industry. This experience gave me a keen understanding of the many issues individuals in the field face. I seek to use my experience to help other professionals navigate the complexities and common issues seen within the business.

Are you struggling to process depression, anxiety, relationship/family issues, and trauma? These emotional ruptures can cause major disruptions in our lives. The work to process these types of life events is multifaceted, and I can help you identify your feelings and potential relational patterns, build tolerance and acceptance around challenging ones, and set meaningful goals. In order to do so, I utilize various therapeutic approaches consisting of ACT, CBT, and Problem Solving Therapy and somatic interventions.

The toll of trauma, stress, anxiety, & depression builds over time, things that once seemed manageable turn into a life that's not our own, because we're stuck in survival mode. It's exhausting. As a therapist, my goal is to collaborate with you to safely navigate your inner landscape and put pieces together so you can uncover your unique abilities and create a mental health toolkit that will carry you through a lifetime. I am here to support you in working through unresolved feelings and conflicts and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

I have over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations who have a variety of presenting problems. While I am versed in numerous evidence based modalities, I most frequently utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I value ACT’s emphasis on helping clients learn concrete skills for managing distressing thoughts and feelings, including its mindfulness component. Additionally, the importance of the therapeutic relationship is not to be underestimated. I am often described by my clients as someone who is easy to open up to, warm, a good listener, supportive, and someone with a good sense of humor.

Are you experiencing challenges in dealing with anxiety, depression, and traumatic experiences? Do you struggle with effective communication and setting boundaries in your relationships with others? Life often presents obstacles and difficulties that might lead to these difficulties without proper tools, resources, and guidance. I utilize CBT, DBT, ACT, and Trauma-informed care to help you manage symptoms and promote healing and growth. With a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of each client and their lived experiences, I foster a collaborative and inclusive therapeutic environment.

Do you have trouble with anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues due to trauma? Past experiences can create imprints onto your brain that activate your fight/flight responses whenever your emotions feel dysregulated, but life without the constant feeling of being on edge is possible. Those traumatic memories don’t have to permanently influence who you are meant to be. Through therapy, you will gain control of your feelings/thoughts and your response to everyday life hurdles. Healing from trauma can create healthier beliefs about yourself and your relationships along with sustainable changes.

Whether you are looking for a therapist because of recent difficulties or challenges that started years ago, you will find that I offer a rare combination of rigorous training with a down-to-earth style to help you achieve your goals. As an established professor and author in the field, I am well-versed in the latest research to ensure your problems are resolved as efficiently as possible using the most effective methods available. If you have had difficulty connecting with past therapists or are concerned that I might act like therapists in the movies, I believe you will find my style refreshingly more relatable.

Perhaps you are having difficulties in your primary relationships, perhaps there are stressors at work, perhaps you face a great choice and several obstacles are hindering your clarity and peace. I have been honored to witness individuals and couples overcome many barriers that initially seemed insurmountable. Based on the lived experience of those I work with I believe that a full, happy, and peaceful life is within reach for everyone who seeks it.

Do you find yourself moving farther away from the life you want to live? Are you overwhelmed by unhelpful thoughts and difficult feelings? I'm here to help. My practice is designed to create a safe and meaningful place to explore your challenges and gain personal insight. I created Healing with Purpose because my passion is working with children and adults to help them identify their inner strengths and overcome life’s obstacles. Healing with Purpose strives for growth, acceptance, meaning and the formation of adaptive coping skills. Here you can develop the tools to navigate life’s challenges and not only survive but thrive!.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by experiences from your past, grief/loss, or anxiety and fear, you might wonder if it's possible to feel confident, calm, and connected again. With compassion, support, and practical strategies, I will guide you through a collaborative process to healing so you can feel grounded, present and hopeful. I'm here to provide a supportive space where you can be your authentic self and feel heard and understood. We'll work together to develop insight and awareness, change unhelpful patterns, and implement skills that allow you to be the person you want to be.

My clients typically come to me because they are struggling with anxiety or depression and they want to work on their ability to interact with others or improve relationships, complete tasks, sleep better or feel better about themselves. I use a variety of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions, Exposure Response Prevention, Dialectical Behavior Therapy interventions, Brainspotting and when indicated Behavioral Interventions. I work from a strengths-based perspective to find the best parts of you and/or your family and I work to build your strengths so you can grow and thrive on your own again.

You've been struggling for far too long obsessing about food and your body. You are ready for a change. It's time. Maybe you've been stuck restricting, emotional eating, binging, or over-exercising. You work hard to stick to the plan, but you just feel like you can’t be trusted around food. On the outside, everything looks great. People think you “have it all” but inside it feels like you’re a total fraud. Each day, you're determined to do things differently, to finally get things “under control,” but you're trapped on this never-ending cycle. You know there's got to be a better way, but you have no idea where to start.

My therapeutic approach stems from the belief that at some point in our lives, we all could benefit from speaking to a professional to help us navigate through whatever issues are holding us back. For some, the desire to seek support happens early in life and for others it happens later. Whether issues stem from life changes, mental health disorders, or external stressors, I believe now is always the right time to start working towards a greater understanding of yourself and your needs. Through working in collaboration with my clients, I hope to help them heal and become the best version of themselves that they've ever known.

I am Cheri McDonald Ph.D., LMFT, PATP, a creative visionary with a passion for healing individuals, families, and communities. Drawing from my 35-year private psychotherapy practice at A Place To Turn, I've cultivated wisdom and knowledge that form the foundation of my Holistic Integral Training (HIT). This modality leads to profound, long-lasting healing in the mind, body, and spirit. I stand as a holistic leader and mentor in the mental health realm. With the transformation of the world today and the increasing need to provide healing for the most complex times, I have founded Alternative Place 2 Turn, LLC..