Therapists in Mission Viejo, CA
Psychological Testing & Evaluations - Dr. Dean
Psychologist, PsyD, QME, Author
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
I’m Dr. Dean Leav. I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I conduct ADHD / autism / learning disability evaluations, legal / forensic evaluations for court, risk assessment (violence / sexual), cognitive / neuropsychological evaluations, diagnostic psychological evaluations, immigration evaluations, adoption evaluations, parenting / bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, fitness for duty evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME) evaluations, and other types of psychological evaluations / assessments.
I’m Dr. Dean Leav. I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I conduct ADHD / autism / learning disability evaluations, legal / forensic evaluations for court, risk assessment (violence / sexual), cognitive / neuropsychological evaluations, diagnostic psychological evaluations, immigration evaluations, adoption evaluations, parenting / bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, fitness for duty evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME) evaluations, and other types of psychological evaluations / assessments.
I’ve been a licensed clinical social worker in California for over 37 years, dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate their challenges to find deeper connection, understanding, and growth. My approach fosters open communication, leading not only to a clearer understanding of the issue at hand but also of oneself. By guiding clients toward self-awareness and resolving internal resistance, I help them overcome obstacles rooted in past traumas.
I’ve been a licensed clinical social worker in California for over 37 years, dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate their challenges to find deeper connection, understanding, and growth. My approach fosters open communication, leading not only to a clearer understanding of the issue at hand but also of oneself. By guiding clients toward self-awareness and resolving internal resistance, I help them overcome obstacles rooted in past traumas.
Bradley specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD, using practical, results-oriented methods that promote long-term improvement in mental and emotional health. His approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, manage emotional responses, and strengthen self-awareness. He also incorporates Family Therapy when appropriate, recognizing the vital role relationships play in the healing process.
Bradley specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD, using practical, results-oriented methods that promote long-term improvement in mental and emotional health. His approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, manage emotional responses, and strengthen self-awareness. He also incorporates Family Therapy when appropriate, recognizing the vital role relationships play in the healing process.
I'm Dr. Barek Sharif, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I believe that healthy relational engagement is at the core of our search for purpose and meaning. By developing and maintaining authentic relational interactions we discover compassion, value, and strength within ourselves.
I'm Dr. Barek Sharif, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I believe that healthy relational engagement is at the core of our search for purpose and meaning. By developing and maintaining authentic relational interactions we discover compassion, value, and strength within ourselves.
I'm Rachel Kim, a licensed clinical social worker. My therapeutic approach is grounded in strength-based and attachment-focused therapies, tailored to each person's unique needs. With a warm and collaborative style, I emphasize creating a comfortable space for clients to explore their past and how it affects current thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. My practice focuses on balancing processing, teaching new skills, and understanding how to change current patterns that no longer serve you.
I'm Rachel Kim, a licensed clinical social worker. My therapeutic approach is grounded in strength-based and attachment-focused therapies, tailored to each person's unique needs. With a warm and collaborative style, I emphasize creating a comfortable space for clients to explore their past and how it affects current thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. My practice focuses on balancing processing, teaching new skills, and understanding how to change current patterns that no longer serve you.
It would be my honor to begin this journey with you. I am here to help you and your family improve communication, function more peacefully and be your best self. You can learn to honor yourself, live your truth, and enjoy fulfilling relationships. Of course, making that happen requires your commitment and effort. I'll provide safe, non-judgmental listening and proven tools; you bring willingness and commitment to change. I am a gender-affirming advocate for LGBTQ+ people and families. Sessions can be conducted via telemedicine, in-person or by phone.
It would be my honor to begin this journey with you. I am here to help you and your family improve communication, function more peacefully and be your best self. You can learn to honor yourself, live your truth, and enjoy fulfilling relationships. Of course, making that happen requires your commitment and effort. I'll provide safe, non-judgmental listening and proven tools; you bring willingness and commitment to change. I am a gender-affirming advocate for LGBTQ+ people and families. Sessions can be conducted via telemedicine, in-person or by phone.
Hi! My name is Junise Dorestin and I am a License Marriage and Family Therapist. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a children social service worker with Child Protective Services. I have been working in the field of mental health for over 10 years. I obtained my Masters of Art in Psychology emphasis Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2008. I have experienced in working with incarcerated individuals, families, children and young adult. I use a broad range of treatment method to assist individuals and families in the process of reaching their goals.
Hi! My name is Junise Dorestin and I am a License Marriage and Family Therapist. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a children social service worker with Child Protective Services. I have been working in the field of mental health for over 10 years. I obtained my Masters of Art in Psychology emphasis Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2008. I have experienced in working with incarcerated individuals, families, children and young adult. I use a broad range of treatment method to assist individuals and families in the process of reaching their goals.
I believe that my clients already have the answers, wisdom, and capacity within themselves. My purpose is to help them access these resources by removing the obstacles and understand why they are here in the first place. I have noticed that in many cases, the root of the negative thoughts, emotions, or behaviors is trauma. While I am passionate about helping clients reprocess traumatic experiences through EMDR, building skills like acceptance and resilience through self-awareness is at the core of our collaborative work.
I believe that my clients already have the answers, wisdom, and capacity within themselves. My purpose is to help them access these resources by removing the obstacles and understand why they are here in the first place. I have noticed that in many cases, the root of the negative thoughts, emotions, or behaviors is trauma. While I am passionate about helping clients reprocess traumatic experiences through EMDR, building skills like acceptance and resilience through self-awareness is at the core of our collaborative work.
Hi! My name is Ellie, and I am so excited to meet you! I love working with preteens, teens, college students, and young adults, helping them navigate the unique challenges of growing up today. My approach/style is collaborative and personalized — we’ll work together at your pace, and I’ll adapt interventions based on your age, needs, and goals to fit what is needed for treatment. Whether we’re exploring coping strategies, building emotional regulation skills, or working through self-doubt or relationship stress, I’ll check in regularly to make sure we’re focusing on what’s most important to you during our time together.
Hi! My name is Ellie, and I am so excited to meet you! I love working with preteens, teens, college students, and young adults, helping them navigate the unique challenges of growing up today. My approach/style is collaborative and personalized — we’ll work together at your pace, and I’ll adapt interventions based on your age, needs, and goals to fit what is needed for treatment. Whether we’re exploring coping strategies, building emotional regulation skills, or working through self-doubt or relationship stress, I’ll check in regularly to make sure we’re focusing on what’s most important to you during our time together.
Jennifer Riley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Waitlist for new clients
Are unmanageable emotions, disruptive symptoms or nagging beliefs getting in the way of relationships, work or your overall happiness? Have you been through a significant life event or a trauma that you feel unable to move past? Whether it’s one of life's big things or small things, therapy is a great place to unpack, process and heal.
Are unmanageable emotions, disruptive symptoms or nagging beliefs getting in the way of relationships, work or your overall happiness? Have you been through a significant life event or a trauma that you feel unable to move past? Whether it’s one of life's big things or small things, therapy is a great place to unpack, process and heal.
We all get stuck sometimes, and investment in our mental health is more important than ever. With over 15 years of experience, I have a strong passion helping adults work through their Depression and Anxiety. I utilize an eclectic approach to meet your specific needs.
We all get stuck sometimes, and investment in our mental health is more important than ever. With over 15 years of experience, I have a strong passion helping adults work through their Depression and Anxiety. I utilize an eclectic approach to meet your specific needs.
I am passionate about working with you on your path to healing. I have a warm, understanding, and direct approach. My role is to create a nonjudgmental, compassionate safe space to better facilitate you in gaining the insight and tools necessary to meet your goals. I strongly believe the relationship between the therapist and the client is the most important as it is the foundation where trust is built which promotes sharing your thoughts and emotions, leading to healing and a sense of peace.
I am passionate about working with you on your path to healing. I have a warm, understanding, and direct approach. My role is to create a nonjudgmental, compassionate safe space to better facilitate you in gaining the insight and tools necessary to meet your goals. I strongly believe the relationship between the therapist and the client is the most important as it is the foundation where trust is built which promotes sharing your thoughts and emotions, leading to healing and a sense of peace.
All meaningful lives involve pain, there is no escaping this. Even if we cannot avoid pain, we can learn to rise above it and still create a life worth living. Life will never be unbearable due to circumstances, but only from a lack of purpose and meaning. My job is to help you look at your situation differently, and to develop a committed action plan to make the positive changes you have been wanting to. Like the Serenity Prayer says, we need to accept the things we cannot change, and have courage to change what we can, starting with ourselves.
All meaningful lives involve pain, there is no escaping this. Even if we cannot avoid pain, we can learn to rise above it and still create a life worth living. Life will never be unbearable due to circumstances, but only from a lack of purpose and meaning. My job is to help you look at your situation differently, and to develop a committed action plan to make the positive changes you have been wanting to. Like the Serenity Prayer says, we need to accept the things we cannot change, and have courage to change what we can, starting with ourselves.
Life can be messy and painful and beyond frustrating. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families to cope with a variety of challenging "life curve balls". No matter what you are facing and/or experiencing, there is a path that leads to understanding, growth, and healing. I have the utmost respect for my clients and their life journeys. When life circumstances provoke fear, anger, sadness, or suffering, we have an opportunity to face these challenges and ultimately become even better versions of ourselves.
Life can be messy and painful and beyond frustrating. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families to cope with a variety of challenging "life curve balls". No matter what you are facing and/or experiencing, there is a path that leads to understanding, growth, and healing. I have the utmost respect for my clients and their life journeys. When life circumstances provoke fear, anger, sadness, or suffering, we have an opportunity to face these challenges and ultimately become even better versions of ourselves.
My work is solution focused. I work in the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Orientation and Family Systems to offer tools to manage our emotions and improve our relationships. Our past family experiences are important. What we learned in our family is very much related to how we do life today. But sometimes, I think, people may invest an inordinate amount of their time and resources analyzing the problems of the past. In doing so they may miss the exceptions to those problems that hold the key to change.
My work is solution focused. I work in the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Orientation and Family Systems to offer tools to manage our emotions and improve our relationships. Our past family experiences are important. What we learned in our family is very much related to how we do life today. But sometimes, I think, people may invest an inordinate amount of their time and resources analyzing the problems of the past. In doing so they may miss the exceptions to those problems that hold the key to change.
How much do you know about your emotions? Did you know that learning a “feelings” vocabulary to process your experiences supports emotion regulation? Many of us learn adaptive strategies as children, allowing us to survive in a rigid environment while meeting some of our needs. Later you may find that the strategy that kept you safe in childhood interferes with your capacity for connection as an adult. We can explore the patterns that put distance in your relationships despite your desire to increase intimacy. Whatever your childhood lacked should not predetermine your happiness in adulthood. You deserve to thrive.
How much do you know about your emotions? Did you know that learning a “feelings” vocabulary to process your experiences supports emotion regulation? Many of us learn adaptive strategies as children, allowing us to survive in a rigid environment while meeting some of our needs. Later you may find that the strategy that kept you safe in childhood interferes with your capacity for connection as an adult. We can explore the patterns that put distance in your relationships despite your desire to increase intimacy. Whatever your childhood lacked should not predetermine your happiness in adulthood. You deserve to thrive.
If you’re looking for quality Private Counseling sessions with providers who care, then you’ve come to the right place. At our group practice, Bellator Psychological and Consultants Corporation, we guide our patients every step of the way and implement methods to help them develop new attitudes towards all of life’s most complex matters. Clearing away obstacles and dysfunction can occur faster than expected and allow us to engage life with a clear mind, a healthy view, and joy.
If you’re looking for quality Private Counseling sessions with providers who care, then you’ve come to the right place. At our group practice, Bellator Psychological and Consultants Corporation, we guide our patients every step of the way and implement methods to help them develop new attitudes towards all of life’s most complex matters. Clearing away obstacles and dysfunction can occur faster than expected and allow us to engage life with a clear mind, a healthy view, and joy.
Trauma can completely shake our sense of safety in the world and in relationships, but when we are able to process through that trauma, then we can feel empowered to make different choices instead of repeating past patterns. Maybe you are realizing how your childhood trauma is showing up in your present interactions or how the betrayal trauma you have experienced in relationships is causing you to feel disconnected. Either way, therapy can help you feel unstuck and hopeful about what you want your relationships to look like.
Trauma can completely shake our sense of safety in the world and in relationships, but when we are able to process through that trauma, then we can feel empowered to make different choices instead of repeating past patterns. Maybe you are realizing how your childhood trauma is showing up in your present interactions or how the betrayal trauma you have experienced in relationships is causing you to feel disconnected. Either way, therapy can help you feel unstuck and hopeful about what you want your relationships to look like.
I am extremely good at working with teens, MFT interns who are looking to do some interpersonal work while gaining their 3000 hrs., blended families, divorce Recovery, Drug and Alcohol abuse/use, Gay and Lesbian, grief and loss, as well as Parent/Child Conflicts. I enjoy working with the above clients as well as receiving the internal benefits of watching my clients grow. I receive a "natural high" by working with and helping clients find their true selves. I believe the work I do help my clients enrich their personal and relational growth s well as enhance their emotional healing.
I am extremely good at working with teens, MFT interns who are looking to do some interpersonal work while gaining their 3000 hrs., blended families, divorce Recovery, Drug and Alcohol abuse/use, Gay and Lesbian, grief and loss, as well as Parent/Child Conflicts. I enjoy working with the above clients as well as receiving the internal benefits of watching my clients grow. I receive a "natural high" by working with and helping clients find their true selves. I believe the work I do help my clients enrich their personal and relational growth s well as enhance their emotional healing.
Sophia specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, as well as relational challenges through compassionate care to those facing complex emotional struggles. By integrating evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Sophia equips her clients with tools to manage symptoms and build resilience outside of the therapy room. Her practice also incorporates inner child work, mindfulness, and somatic body healing techniques, providing a holistic approach to mental health.
Sophia specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, as well as relational challenges through compassionate care to those facing complex emotional struggles. By integrating evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Sophia equips her clients with tools to manage symptoms and build resilience outside of the therapy room. Her practice also incorporates inner child work, mindfulness, and somatic body healing techniques, providing a holistic approach to mental health.
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How does your Therapist compare?
Number of Therapists in Mission Viejo, CA
400+
Average cost per session
$175
Therapists in Mission Viejo, CA who prioritize treating:
| 93% | Anxiety |
| 88% | Depression |
| 76% | Relationship Issues |
| 72% | Self Esteem |
| 71% | Coping Skills |
| 65% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 63% | Stress |
Average years in practice
13 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
| 79% | Aetna |
| 71% | Cigna and Evernorth |
| 56% | UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH |
How Therapists in Mission Viejo, CA see their clients
| 64% | In Person and Online | |
| 36% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
| 80% | Female | |
| 19% | Male | |
| 1% | Non-Binary |