Adoption Therapists in South, Pasadena, CA

Therapy is about finding the right fit with someone you trust. I recognize the importance of beginning where you are at through collaboration, empathy, and guided self-examination. If you are feeling stuck in your life or healing from old wounds, I will help you develop new coping skills, healthy boundaries, and turn insight into action. The most courageous moments provide the greatest growth. Collectively, we can add more tools to your toolbox. Through introspection, depth work, and a strong working relationship, I will listen to each important detail of your life story and build upon your strengths and abilities.

Stress and anxiety can drain emotional and physical energy, making even the smallest life obstacles seem impossible to overcome. When we are anxious or stressed, we have trouble sleeping, feel exhausted from worrying, and have difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Anxiety and stress can also make people socially avoidant, risk aversive, or hypervigilant, as if something catastrophic is just about to happen. If you are often worried, tense, or keyed up, or have frequent panic attacks, know that anxiety can be treated successfully.

For 23+ years I've specialized in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families to help them live with more confidence, connection, and aliveness. I bring extensive experience in therapy, supervision, consulting, and research in the areas of child, teen, & family life, social and emotional development, and building solid and nurturing relationships. I work with clients in a talk therapy approach that is warm, interactive, and active, but that is also flexible in including support for new behaviors, creative expression, and practical help in developing new skills for living.

I specialize in trauma and all the symptoms that stem from it. These symptoms vary person to person, but often look like anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms (headaches, stomachaches), an inability to make decisions, relational difficulties (codependency, people pleasing, inability to connect), dissociation, sleep disturbance, and an inability to get ahold of your emotions in times of high stress. I also work with those suffering with identity struggles (gender, race, culture, sexuality), family conflict and/or relational wounds, adoption , infertility, parenting complexities, and LGBTQIA discrimination.

Everyone has challenging times and hurts in their life they want to move past. Many need someone to accompany them to move through these times. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is key to helping people overcome trauma, grief, and disappointments to move toward the goals you want in your life. I have over 25 years of experience with children, youth and families who have experienced trauma, conflict, behavioral challenges, and life transitions including moving toward independence, exploring sexuality, and managing disabilities. I have seen the healing and growth that happen. Give yourself the chance.

I believe in human resiliency and transformation. My therapeutic style focuses on your strengths & I seek to understand your personal experiences within your cultural context. I often explore how past relationships & unresolved issues may be connected to your current concerns. By assessing your relational skills & addressing the challenges to living authentically, I can help you discover a sense of empowerment resulting in meaningful, healthy relationships & the ability to live a purposeful life.

Intimate relationships could be difficult to maintain and understand. Sometimes we are left confused and hurt by the behaviors and words of others. Our responses to these unfortunate behaviors might create a negative reaction which could worsen the feelings of despair. Having a personal psychotherapist with whom to explore some of these problems could be very rewarding and healing. Finding assertive ways to express our emotions using a win/win approach might assist in the healing of those injuries. Anxiety, depression and interpersonal conflict could be minimized or eliminated with the appropriate interventions.

So much can get in the way of our ability to receive and give love in healthy relationships. I enjoy working with people who are seeking healing from past wounds so that they can love themselves and others. I help people develop self-confidence and self-awareness that promotes creativity and deeper connectedness. If you’ve experienced trauma or if you struggle with negative beliefs about yourself, EMDR may be a helpful resource and is a specialty of mine. I am also certified as a Safe and Sound Protocol provider, which helps people experience a felt sense of safety and calm.

When we experience painful events and the trust in our relationships seem compromised, it can feel like the ground is taken from under our feet. From the bottom of the hill, the journey upward can feel steep and daunting. It takes courage to reach out and find a supportive and experienced therapist who can help you restore your life. Our team is committed to walking alongside you or your family to overcome stressful experiences and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others. We will work towards helping you build secure and fulfilling relationships so you do not need to journey alone.

As the Founder and Clinical Director of Oakwood Family Treatment Centers, I have been treating adolescents, young adults and their families for over 30 years as a psychotherapist, clinical director and consultant in both outpatient and residential programs. I treat such disorders as anxiety, trauma, family conflict, drug, alcohol and behavioral addictions, co-dependency, depression, ADHD, self-harming behaviors, and self esteem issues.

I enjoy working with people of all ages facing various kinds of transition. Each new phase of life brings somewhat predictable changes, and then there are other changes that cause us to adapt and grow in somewhat unpredictable ways. Whatever you're facing, my goal is to work with you to find unique strengths and creative solutions that allow you to thrive in the midst of change.

Healthy psychological development throughout child, adolescent, and young adulthood is the focus of my practice. I utilize family strengths to aid my clients in overcoming a wide range of academic, behavioral and relational challenges while uniquely offering a variety of data collection tools to direct interventions, measure progress, and create meaningful change. I realize that choosing a therapist is a difficult decision, especially when it comes to your children, so please feel free to inquire further to determine if my knowledge and experience fits your needs.

You're grieving, on edge, frustrated, or dealing with anxiety and/or a difficult transition - whatever has brought you here, you want to feel better. I want that for you, too and that's what compels me to do this work. In session, my sole focus is on you. I am here to help you make sense of what you're feeling and experiencing. You can be however you need to be and talk about whatever you need to talk about. There is a reality where you can feel better. (Sat appts now available!)

There can be multiple reasons that bring someone in for a psychotherapy consultation. When a distinct problem occurs (marital separation, depression, a difficult parenting challenge, anxiety over one's relationships, self-destructive thoughts or behaviors, etc.), or, when one becomes aware of more amorphous and global issues in one's life (lack of growth, a pattern of isolation, lack of pleasure, etc.), it is useful to talk to someone with lots of clinical experience to begin to sort out and make sense of what is going on externally as well as internally. Careful listening to your particular situation is the first important step.

Change is possible. If you feel overwhelmed, burned out, or find yourself repeating the same relationship cycles, there is hope. Working with a therapist can help you confidently face obstacles and create lasting, positive change in your life. I am committed to helping you achieve your goals and reach your full potential using practical tools designed to improve your self-confidence, happiness, and personal insight. I offer a warm, interactive, and non-judgmental space where we can explore the underlying causes of your distress while honoring your individual needs.

Each person has their own story and own experiences that are unique to them. As we navigate life, our relationships and daily live's can be impacted by these experiences and past experiences. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment to help you navigate feelings and experiences that may cause discomfort, pain, sadness, happiness, and joy along with other emotions. It is my goal to meet each client where they are and create safety to help your inner self take up space in your mind and body, to allow for growth. I am also trained in EMDR and specialize in attachment work.

My emphasis in counseling is to help my clients live a balanced life through the healthy integration of spiritual, psychological, and social life. I also believe that the health of our relationship (individual, marital, family, ...)is the foundation of our community. That's why I specializes in helping my clients develop a healthy relationship with others. I also specialize in helping couples prepare for marriage and support married couples to have a satisfying relationship.