Family Counseling Therapists in Manhattan Beach, CA

Hi, I’m Dr. Irma. I am a bilingual, Spanish/English, licensed clinical psychologist with more than 17 years of experience in the mental health field. Since 2006, I have been an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. ​I specialize in the psychological treatment of the total person: mind, body and spirit; in children, adolescents, adults and families struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, inner conflict, stress and LGBTQ+ issues. I offer a personable approach to therapy in a supportive and nonjudgmental client-centered environment.

My ability to connect with and assist individuals is an accumulation of my professional education, life experiences and interest in people. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology as well as licensed as a Marriage, Family Therapist. I spent 22 years as a Physician Assistant in Family Practice and Industrial Medicine giving me a well rounded medical and psychological approach to therapy. I find that my clients solve their problems, heal their wounds and find direction under my care, which has given me a great sense of satisfaction over the last 20+ years.

Do you believe that there is power in connection? That the healthier we are as individuals, the healthier our relationships are? I believe that it is through connection that we can heal. We must first be able to create a healthy connection with the self to be in healthy contact with others. However, oftentimes challenges such as life transitions, parenting, school, career, anxiety, depression, trauma, and loss may inhibit us from connecting with the self and others.

Seeking more peace and purpose? Craving deeper, more meaningful relationships? Seeking more happiness? Dreaming of a calm family life? Let me help! Through my holistic method including emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being, we work together to create lasting change by shedding what isn't working for you and building up what does, all in an effort to help you achieve a manageable, balanced, fulfilling life that inspires and nurtures you for the long term. Using a variety of customized approaches, combining CBT, EMDR, mindfulness and narrative therapy, I work to get to the ROOTS of distress and create personal freedom!

I offer over 20 years' experience in Mental Health and Substance Use treatment services providing direct care across many settings & populations including adults, children, families and couples. While my style is based on presenting goals, attention to mindfulness, personal strengths and narratives are strong foundations to our work. I see people as being expert in themselves and want to honor their experiences in life to help guide treatment. I have success working with interpersonal and family issues, trauma, addiction, substance use, anxiety, depression, anger management, parenting, and crisis intervention.

I believe a successful therapeutic relationship is rooted in a deep academic understanding of human development, but is most effective when expressed as a pure, honest and simple communication between client and therapist. My approach is to actively engage, creating a supportive and collaborative environment that is equally empathic and challenging. By focusing on both past experiences and present circumstances, I seek to access the client's inner strengths in order to overcome difficult situations, make life changes and break unhealthy patterns.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have been practicing for over 17 years. Specializing in working with children, adolescents, and families from primarily a solution-focused, cognitive behavioral approach, I offer a variety of interventions best matched to fit my client's individual needs. Adept in working with childhood disorders, trauma experiences, grief and loss, anger management, and parenting issues, I strive to look at the "whole picture" and incorporate collaterals and family members, as needed.

Feeling stuck? I am so glad you landed on my page. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you shift to feeling more empowered and on a positive path of growth and authenticity! As a person-centered therapist, my goal is to understand your life struggles and be a guide to help you in your path to self discovery. I am dedicated to being an empathetic witness to your healing and provide you a safe space for that to take place. My belief is that therapy can help the healing process, whether you are dealing with transition of life issues, trauma, depression, family issues, or just having a bad day.

I am a psychotherapist licensed in California and Arizona and I have 15 years of experience in research, hospital agency, home visiting and private practice settings. I specialize in working with individual adults with childhood trauma and I like to help others navigate difficult relationships and work through distressing and overwhelming life experiences. I have a Certificate in Infant and Family Clinical Practice and an enduring interest in psychological crisis and how our early relational worlds shape who we are. I also specialize in play therapy for children 6-10 and child custody evaluations.

I have success working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems. I help clients adjust to life transitions such as, divorce, re-marriage, grief and loss, and other major life changes. I am a USC trained therapist, practicing therapy in Los Angeles since 2000 and I am an adjunct professor in the master's of social work program at USC.

You might be looking for support to manage a challenge that has come your way. This is a wise and life affirming choice. I find that obstacles arise as a way of offering an invitation to develop as human beings. It definitely doesn’t look and feel that way at first, but, as we look back on experiences, we know this is so. Meeting that invitation head on by having the neutral and clear guidance of a trained third party can make all the difference.

As an EMDR therapist at Q Psychology Group, I focus on trauma recovery. Trauma is not just an event that happened in the past, but an experience that has imprinted on our mind, brain, and body which impacts us in the present. This can interfere with the way we connect emotionally, physically, and spiritually to ourselves and to others. To aid in recovery from this experience, I look to enhance the mind-body connection so you can regain safety in your body. I do this by utilizing a polyvagal and nervous system approach, where I focus on giving you the tools to understand and regulate your own nervous system.

The STRESS is never ending. Pushed to the edge of every limit, belief that there is no solution. Feeling stuck, and not knowing the next direction you want to take whether it be careers or other life transitions. The overwhelming pressure to make decisions that would best benefit you and your family . Having difficulty finding balance in any aspect of life between work, family and time for yourself. Frustrated that everything else you have tried up to this point has made no improvements or significant changes. The crushing reality of transitions into different stages of life is overwhelming. Almost impossible knowing where to start.

I'm here to listen and help, daytime, evenings after work, and Saturdays. I treat teens, adults, couples, and families . I offer counseling and life-coaching for ordinary everyday challenges, and therapy for relationship problems, addiction issues, anxiety, depression, or a traumatic experience. I also treat those having difficulty coping with a crisis, a stressful life transition, or a painful loss due to a break-up, divorce, or death. You'll find comfort to explore these aspects and identify solutions that help you feel better, develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and healthier relationships.

Are you dealing with Anger, Childhood Trauma, Relationships, Addiction, or Perceived Roadblocks? Unable to function at work or lacking a social life? Don't live in fear of your past or allow the past to affect your present and future. Are you or a loved one suffering from an addiction.? Is it tearing your family apart, are you and your spouse not seeing eye to eye? Having difficulties communicating with one another. I focus on the client's needs at the time he/she is demonstrating an unwanted behavior. Learn to live free from emotional burden. I am a Counselor, Hypnotherapist, Speaker, Life Coach, and Award-winning Author.

Are you or your child experiencing anxiety, low mood, or trouble with your interpersonal relationships? Are you finding it difficult to communicate effectively with the people in your life? I specialize in working with teens, adults, families , and couples who are struggling with boundaries, communication, and overall barriers in their relationships. In addition to seeing these individuals in my private practice, I have worked within multiple school districts, a treatment center, and a non-profit community mental health center. I also work with first responders and their families dealing with stress, anxiety, and PTSD.

Hi, I’m Michelle and I want to help you cultivate a healthier relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you. I will create a safe space to unpack your experiences. We will work towards an increased understanding of one another and your true identities. I provide therapy to children and families of diverse populations experiencing behavioral and emotional challenges. When working with clients, I utilize components and tools from Evidence-Based Treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify cognitive distortions through thoughts, feelings, and actions.

"When we close ourselves off, we're not just closing ourselves off to other people, we're closing ourselves off from ourselves and impeding ourselves. When we open up, you allow yourselves to be who you are" - Amy Cuddy. My goal is to provide a supportive environment for individuals on their journey of self-discovery and help facilitate change through restoring hope for children, young adults, and couples struggling with depression, anxiety, personal relationships, grief, and loss. I work on helping individuals access their inner world and assist them in self-awareness.

Hello. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, couples and families . I can help you find relief. Together we can face the challenges in your life in a way that will empower you and open the doors to greater possibilities. My private practice offers a safe and open atmosphere, free of judgement, and grounded in authenticity. Here you can experience heightened self-awareness and understanding, self-acceptance, enhanced mind-body health, personal growth, and freedom.