Adoption Therapists in West Central, Pasadena, CA

I have extensive experience working with families who are currently fostering a child or have built their family through adoption . I use a trauma informed and neurodevelopmental lens in all of my work, and understand how in utero and early developmental trauma affect children in many areas of their life. As a former foster parent and now an adoptive mom, I further understands how close relationships are created through a sense of safety and trust.

Together we can explore what it means to be human, to embody compassion towards oneself and others, to hold both joy and sorrow, to experience connection, to move away from internalized messages of shame, to feel liberation, to bridge our past to our future and be present in our experiences and relationships.

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.

Therapy is a process of self-discovery that often entails delving into past relationships and trauma to uncover their affect on our relationships with ourselves, our families and the outside world. My work with children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families is designed to restore trust, joy & zest and to develop meaningful connections and skills to thrive-mindfulness, authenticity & inner strength. As a Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist, I work with an attachment focused interpersonal neurobiological approach creating a safe space to nurture individuals, couples and families in any orientation or socio-economic status.

I work with clients who are creative and want to use their talent to make a difference. I also specialize in individuals and couples who have not received the necessary support, love, limits, and validation needed during childhood. I see adults who are cautious regarding a romantic commitment because they've experienced parental abuse, addiction or divorce in childhood. I'm an adoptive mother, with a specialty in adoption . I work with birth parent grief, adoptive parent child management, adoptee resolved issues, within the context of open, closed or reunion adoptions.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on NBC, KCAL, HLN, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre- adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

Do you want to make changes in your life? Do you want to make healthy choices that will enable you to reach your full potential? Psychotherapy provides a healing relationship - a second chance at discovering our capacity to grow, to love, to reflect and to change how we react to the world around us. Through the connection of the therapeutic relationship, one is able to transform patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Today you are one step closer to creating positive changes in your life. It would be an honor and a privilege to join you on this journey!

My practice has primarily derived from an education in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, emphasizing close attention to your developmental history, relational patterns, inhibiting defenses and the neglected power of your inner life. I understand the vulnerability it takes to open yourself up to a therapist, and I promise to join you with patience, strength, and hope on your path to self-understanding. With collaborative and creative intention, I can help you widen your point of view, increase your tolerance for variegated emotions, integrate fragmented parts of yourself, and discover the uncharted material within you.

With over 20 years of experience in providing comprehensive psychological assessments, Psychological Assessment Services specializes in assessing cognitive functioning and identifying Dyslexia, learning disabilities as well as attention and concentration difficulties (ADHD) that may result in behavioral or social issues. We also perform pre- adoption evaluations, competency evaluations and pre-surgical evaluations. Psychodiagnostic testing can distinguish the psychological contributions to behavior that may confound accurate diagnosis and treatment. I can provide expert court testimony and workers comp evaluations.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on NBC, KCAL, HLN, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre- adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

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.

Dr. Wei-Chin Hwang is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of clinical psychology. He has two practice locations, one in Pasadena and one in Claremont, California. In his practice, he provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. Dr. Hwang has over 24 years of education, training, and experience in the field of psychology. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA (ranked #1 in clinical psychology) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He is a professor at Claremont McKenna College (ranked #6 among liberal arts colleges in the U.S.).

Are you looking for online therapy resources to support your child, teen, or family during the coronavirus health crisis? Do you have a college student in your family who is home and looking for support? Would your child or teen appreciate being able to connect with a small group of peers in an online therapy group? As a telehealth therapist, I offer secure online therapy. Like in-person therapy, online therapy or telehealth offers support and skills to navigate this time of difficult change, loss, and uncertainty. It provides therapeutic structure and positive connection to help your child be their most resilient self.

I bring to the treatment setting over thirty years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist , first working with families and children who have experienced trauma, then as a graduate psychoanalyst with expertise in recognizing and treating unconscious patterns that play out in current relationships and behaviors. Every situation is unique, and difficult problems must be deeply understood to effect lasting change. Together we will identify and work through the underlying dynamics that contribute to your current concerns. Psychodynamic work is beneficial for those who have an interest in, and a capacity for, self-reflection and personal growth.

The ultimate goal of therapy is to heal and experience personal growth while being supported throughout the process. I provide a nurturing supportive environment and allow you the opportunity to explore the challenging issues you face in your daily life.

Are you concerned about a child or adolescent that is struggling? Are they shutting down and sad? Worried or mad? Are they having trouble functioning at school or with friends? How about at home and with their family? Has something in their life changed? Maybe they need a little more support at this particular time... Therapy can help. I work with individuals of all ages, couples, and families.

When considering our experiences in the human tribe, the process of discovering or rediscovering our truest self can be a journey laden with challenges and difficulty. However, it is often when we believe that we have attempted everything we can or know how to do to make difficult transformations, to cease our suffering, and to change unhelpful patterns, that we may find ourselves poised for growth and evolution.

Sometimes in life we experience seasons of feeling adrift and lost. Other times we have faced immensely painful circumstances which have left a lingering impact on our thoughts, mood and behavior. Working together we can illuminate pathways to resolve these challenges and reach a sense of safety, connection and purpose. As a Somatic Psychotherapist, I specialize in restoring a mind/body connection along with focusing on overcoming the distress caused by a sudden transition, loss, violence, burnout and betrayal.