Adoption Therapists in Thousand Oaks, CA
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Chelsea Kunapuli
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
Verified
I have helped families navigate the foster/
adoption
system, as well as people thrive through their transitions.
Do you struggle with a sense of belonging? Maybe you feel like you do not belong where you were, but also not where you are going. Are you a new parent struggling to figure it out? Well, I may be able to help you. I know that not everyone is the right fit, but I would sure like to try. I try to help instill confidence in yourself no matter where you are or where you are going in life, and knowing who you are is the start of your journey.

Heidi Michelle Taylor
Psychologist, PhD, MS, BS
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Complicated grief and breavement, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, loss, pain and illness, supervised and monitored visitation, addiction and recovery,
adoption
and foster care, blended families, personal empowerment.
Do you want to stop skimming the surface and get to the heart of what's holding you back? Do you want to do that in a safe, supportive environment at your own pace? Do you want to do that with someone who believes you have the ability to free yourself and move ahead? There's never a better time to start than now.

Kelly Nicassio
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have experience treating children and adolescents with a variety of concerns, including behavioral issues, trauma, attention disorders (ADHD), adjustment disorder, issues related to
adoption
, obsessive-compulsive disorder, grief, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety and depression.
Is your child experiencing problems at school, difficulty making or keeping friends, tantrums, constant worrying or nightmares? I have a passion for working with children and families, and I'm here to help. There is so much pressure today to be a "perfect" parent, and admitting that you need support can be difficult. My goal is to create a safe space for you and your child to work together to problem-solve and get through challenging times.

Sarah Wuu
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Hello, I’m Sarah. Life’s transitions can be categorized in many ways, but they can be challenging to navigate when they cause us pain, anxiety, or feelings of being stuck. One’s personal experience should never be compared to another, as it is unique, but there is hope. You deserve a safe space for mindfulness and restoration, no matter your struggle. Facing life’s challenges, difficult emotions, and an uncertain future is not a journey meant to be taken alone. With your strengths and resiliency, you can begin to build your sense of self. And through it all, I will be your supporter and advocate.

Jennifer Anderson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
You think you're handling things, but then somewhere along the way, you've lost your grip. You can't sleep, you can't calm yourself down, and it seems like everyday stress deeply impacts you. You've tried but you can't reason with your thoughts. You know they're dark, or dramatic, or too anxious, but you can't seem to stop the cycle. Maybe it's impacting you internally only. Maybe it's affecting your work. Maybe you're losing friendships or relationships because of the emotions that take over so easily. It's exhausting. Whatever the case, you know it's time for help. Surely somebody knows the way out of this mess.

Michelle C Gross
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Does anxiety keep you awake at night? Do you worry about what you should or shouldn't eat? Do you feel guilty over your food choices and feel the need to compensate by exercise, restriction or purging? Do you like the person you see in the mirror? Together we will explore your need to focus on food choices, calories, exercise and weight. There are many reasons that contribute to your emotional struggle that have nothing to do with food or how you look in the mirror. I will help you to discover the root of your anxiety and emotional pain so that you can learn to love and accept yourself as worthwhile and perfectly imperfect.

Brigitte Wilburg
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Hello and welcome to my page. I am available to help you with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief & loss, and life transitions. If you are struggling in any of these areas, feel free to call for an appointment. I'm offering tele-health services at this time, either phone or virtual, whichever works best for you. I help my patients set realistic goals and teach them to use evidence based interventions. Everyone is unique and will be evaluated and treated as such.

Stazan K Sina
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Although I work with children and adolescents individually, working with them alone is not sufficient. As a parent myself, I am very aware of what it is like for me to entrust my childrens' care into the hands of another. In order for treatment to be successful and for my clients to feel secure in the treatment process, I thus believe it is essential to incorporate working with parents into the treatment of the child. In addition to specializing in treating children and adolescents, I also offer services to college-aged individuals and older adults.

Christopher A Burr
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
My couples therapy work has spanned 20 years. In addition to the attraction and happiness of being a couple, there are always challenges. I use an interactional model to help you understand the sources of difficulties so that you can emerge from therapy with ways of solving conflicts. I have worked with couples who are thinking of moving in or marrying, are married or living together, are considering divorce. are divorcing or are in post divorce situations. Parenting issues are an area of particular interest to me.

Darlene Joy Manick
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in treating treating high achieving individuals & couples, with perfectionist tendencies. My priority is your emotional safety. Non judgmental support allows for your sharing openly and honestly. The need to "be right" can be unconscious, & you may be hurting those you love. My skilled intuition, and 25+ yrs. of clinical success, knows hope is available for the motivated and committed recovering anxious, obsessive, & over analyzing adult. Our trusting relationship inspires you to reflect upon your life/relationship goals; together we explore, & honestly challenge: "Do I want to be right?" Or, do I want to be loved?"

Fred Harlan
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MA, MFTI
Verified
Verified
Are you missing the passion in your relationship? Does it seem like you and your significant other just can't communicate and you keep having the same arguments? Do you feel more like roommates than a couple? Are you finding it difficult to trust or has your trust been broken? Wondering whether the two of you are going to make it? I help couples re-establish the connection that brought them together, improve communication, increasing trust and acceptance, and creating lasting strategies to stay together.

Maurissa Joan Szilagi
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, EdM
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I imagine that on most days we all work hard to do the best for our children. No matter how hard some of their challenging behaviors may be; you have love, patience, understanding, and most of all you continue to try to be creative and consistent. But in the end, something just is not working. You continue to ask your friends and family for support and advice, yet you are growing more stressed and tired by the minute. I can help your adolescent come to understand, and work through their struggles and challenges.Adolescence can be a time in life that can be complicated, demanding, and sometimes confusing for both you and your teen.

Suzanne Grace
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MAFT
Verified
Verified
My desire is to help you live a full life, to listen openly and without bias and to understand you outside of your problems; to help you see that you have strengths and resources that will help you get through this difficult time. My goal is to help you feel hopeful again. When dealing with trauma from divorce, childbirth, loss or when trying to manage motherhood including post-partum issues, a career, or if you are feeling stuck, sad, confused, or anxious, I will aid you in identifying those obstacles that stand in your way of reaching your goals. Together, we will work collaboratively and holistically to work through it.

Sara Rector
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
I am here to help and support you in achieving what you want in life Healthy Relationships, Career/Life Satisfaction or Overcoming Obstacles. My specialties are: Communication/Relationship Issues, Women Professionals, Codependency and Infertility. I look forward to helping you improve the quality of your life. Please call me so I may answer any questions you may have and so you can get started on the rest of your life.
Waitlist for new clients

Rebecca Johnson Osei
Psychologist, MA, PsyD, ABPP
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Many people have discovered the benefits of psychotherapy. Some may be dealing with life transitions, others with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, while some just want a safe place to express their thoughts and work through their feelings. Rebecca Johnson Osei, Psy.D., provides clients with a neutral, judgement-free environment where they can learn and grow without social pressures. Concierge therapy at it's best, Dr. Osei will provide in-home and mobile therapy to residents of the Atlanta metro area, allowing you to remain in the comfort of your own home.

Terry Nestel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As a parent/caregiver, a certain level of stress is normal, however when your stress level becomes unmanageable, it is time to seek professional support. I help infants and their parents; individuals and their families repair the effects of trauma and stress in their lives. I believe the earlier we address emotional, developmental, relational, social and individual (behavior) functioning, the better we can assist the family or individual to make life-long changes.

Sousan B Amiri
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Do you, or a loved one, struggle with the weight of depression or anxiety? There are moments in all of our lives when we feel stuck, indecisive, and confused. Life gets messy, things don't go according to plan, and there is no clear right or wrong. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life.

Sona DeLurgio
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT, CEDS
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Are you wishing you had more peace with food, your body, yourself, and those people who are important in your life? If you're struggling, I can help. We will work together collaboratively to help you discover who you are at your core, heal what hurts, and engage genuinely with your true self, your relationships and your life. Deep conversation, deep listening, and deep connection for your healing and transformation. Let me help you discover your most authentic self and the joy that comes along with that. Together we can work on lasting change.

Cheri L McDonald
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT
Verified
Verified
To put it simply, I love people. I work from a direct approach so my Ideal client includes those who are willing to do the work by actively participating in their personal growth as we combat the current challenges they may face. I believe in the mantra, "Two minds are greater than one." As a result, I advocate innovative ways starting where you are at for change in mind, body and spirit. I offer tools and modalities together with you toward gaining the necessary insight and increase awareness for change for health, well-being and happiness.

Alicia Vilanova
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Feeling stuck? Depressed and anxious? With over 14 years of experience, I take the mystery out of therapy. Using a solution focused approach, I am skilled at addressing explosive behaviors, anger management, non-compliance, divorce reaction, narcissism, developmental disorders, self-harm, impulsivity, low self-esteem, trauma, drug use, criminal behavior and family therapy. Often times positive behavior changes are visible within the first few sessions. Over 14 years' experience working with the Military, First responders and addictions.
See more therapy options for
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.