Therapists in East Central, Pasadena, CA

Therapy is a place where we can learn to enrich our lives. At times, different factors can become overwhelming and make it difficult to maintain the meaningful life we strive to achieve. By providing a safe and supportive environment, clients and I work together to develop a deeper understanding of how one's thoughts, feelings and behaviors impact their well being.

**NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR TELEHEALTH** "Change is to give up what we are... to become what we could be.” - Anonymous. I believe that change and healing are possible for everyone, and that happiness comes from awareness and gratitude.

Life is complex and it can lead you to feel unbalanced, or disconnected from yourself and others. Do you find yourself questioning your self-worth or having difficulty creating healthy boundaries? Maybe you’re experiencing anxiety or depression, or processing difficult life events and changes. I understand that life can present its share of challenges due to the systems, communities, and families we live in and come from. I'm passionate about creating supportive and liberating spaces for individuals and I strive to create a space of understanding and safety for people of color, and women during pregnancy and their mothering journey.

“These are challenging times." What an understatement, right? No matter where you find yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic, things may seem more tough, more confusing, more stressful and difficult with the uncertainty and chaos of our world today. As someone who has worked in healthcare and practiced as a mental health clinician for over 20 years, I have seen the increase in stress, anxiety, depression and, at times, hopelessness in my clients AND my colleagues. But I have also witnessed tremendous resilience, reprioritizing, reorganizing and increased motivation during this time.

I have over a decade of training and experience providing therapy to children, adolescences and adults. I believe that people have a great deal of resiliancy and strength and that there are times in our lives that we need help to uncover and remember how strong we are. I work with people to uncover their own strengths to help themselves out of any situation that arises in their lives. I have a great deal of experience in treating trauma related disorder such as depression and anxiety.

Humorist, Mark Twain once wrote, "I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened." Left unchecked, fear-based thinking shapes reality and impedes potential and growth. The unknown and mixed messages surrounding the pandemic has reinforced this mindset and may have left you with perpetual feelings of sadness, uncertainty and doubt. The first step of our journey together is establishing a relationship built upon trust, respect, and safety. Through shared conversation, mindfulness, and self-regulating techniques, we create a bond that honors your unique story and circumstance.

Are you sick and tired of suffering with ADHD? Is your life anxious and overwhelming? Are you frustrated and depressed by having great potential but no plan? If so, I get it. I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of forty. Before then, life felt like one long battle that was grinding me down. But it doesn't have to be that way. Unemployment/under-employment, failing relationships, money stress, distraction/disorganization, lack of motivation, impulsive behavior, overwhelm, chaotic emotions, shame, low esteem, self-medication, no purpose in life: these are all things my clients overcome. You can too.

I work with individuals and couples who have tried to grow and live a full life but find themselves stuck. Pain comes in many different forms such as trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, discrimination, betrayal, anger, or just feeling lost. This pain can be like quicksand, constantly trapping you no matter what you do or try. My specialty is working with people whose pain is made more complex by intersecting identities (Religion/Spirituality, Culture/Race/Ethnicity, LGBTQ+, immigration). In addition, I have specializations in working with, multiracial people, emerging adults, helping professionals, and men.

*All sessions are conducted virtually*** NEW PHONE NUMBER 626 318 8450*** I provide research-supported therapies customized to fit clients' unique personal and cultural characteristics. I work best with motivated clients to: Increase insight into maladaptive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; Identify causes for personal distress, decreased functioning, and harmful behaviors; Create a sustainable action plan to increase wellness; utilize strengths and resources; and Plan for potential future setbacks. I use therapeutic techniques from C(B)T, DBT, ACT, Brief Dynamic, Interpersonal, and solution focused.

People come to therapy at different times, for different reasons, and with different needs. Perhaps you need a space to process current or past events in your life, or maybe you know there is a difficult change you need to make. Maybe both, or maybe you're not sure. My approach to therapy is to provide the specific balance you need between support and challenge. As we develop the therapeutic relationship, it is my hope that you will feel safe and supported to do the kind of work that is most beneficial to you at this time.

Are you a spiritual person wanting psychotherapy that addresses all of who you are? Are you looking for healing painful past issues that keep surfacing? Do you suffer from childhood traumas that have been difficult to heal? Do you want to have better relationships, more meaningful work? Do you want a deeper spiritual life? I would be honored to be of service! I love working with clients that want an integrated psychotherapy that deals with mind, body, and spirit. APPLYING LOVING TO THE PLACES INSIDE THAT HURT LEADS TO HEALING!

Another wave of anxiety and depression sends you reeling. You hold on tight, waiting for the wave of emotion to pass, but you know that the next one’s right behind it. Out of necessity, you’ve learned some tricks to help you through these trying times but coping with your problems is not the same as dealing with them. You’ve slowly come to accept that the unresolved issues from your past are holding you back, but you don’t know how to access these long-hidden memories. You worry that if you can’t get to the root of your overwhelming emotions, you’ll be forever doomed to struggle with them. Something has to change, and soon.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have served clients of all ages, in all life stages, and of various backgrounds. My therapeutic abilities have been honed and fine-tuned by solid training, my own emotional work, and from walking with those who have allowed me into their sacred process of growth for the last 22 years.

Now accepting new clients for telehealth or outdoor sessions. "Ultimately it is the quality of our relationships that will determine the quality of our lives" - Esther Perel. Our relationships are everything. When our connections with each are not what we hope for, it is natural to feel unsteady in the world or even sad or anxious. We often get in our own way from finding and maintaining our deepest connections with those we love. Looking to our past can give us clues to our future and how to "live our best lives" (I think Oprah coined that one!). I offer telehealth sessions as well as outdoor sessions in a local park TBD.

Pregnancy or being a new mom can be a challenging time. Whether you are currently pregnant or postpartum you could be experiencing feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and worry. You just want these negative feelings to go away so you can enjoy your pregnancy. Then you give birth, and you think that all these feelings will go away but sometimes they get worse. You may ask yourself “What is wrong with me?” This can lead to feeling disconnected from yourself, your partner, and even your baby.

I offer psychological assessment services for individuals from birth through 25 years of age. I provide some testing for adults over 25 as well depending on the reason for they are seeking testing. My assessments include neuropsychological, psychoeducational, diagnostic and developmental evaluations. I have experience providing Independent Educational Evaluations for parents of children who dispute the findings of an assessment conducted by the local public school district. I am able to modify my fee to accommodate families as best as I can and am usually able to develop creative options to help families get the testing they need.

La Cresheia Lee, MA MFT, LMFT I am a marriage and family therapist licensed in California, with over 12 years of experience (combined licensed and intern hours), and I hold BA degrees in Psychology and Africana Studies. I have worked with diverse clients experiencing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, cultural & racial identity, stress management, and grief and loss. I have also helped many clients who have experienced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and those struggling with suicide ideation and co-occurring disorders.

As someone in recovery, I know the importance of having the support from peers and those who understand. I spent many years utilizing substances as my coping skills. Now I am able to give back to those who are in recovery or still in their addiction. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified drug and alcohol counselor. I understand the issues associated with the legal system or how hard it can be to make changes in your life. If you are looking for someone to help support you while you get sober, I would love to work with you.