Self-Harming Therapists in Westlake Village, CA

A client said to a therapist, "I only feel stress two times a day... Day & Night!" For many of us, stress is a daily occurrence. Quality of life matters and sometimes we need professional support to help us navigate difficulties so we can get the most out of it. This is especially helpful when our own coping and problem-solving strategies are not cutting it. Therapy is a tool that can help us steer the course of our life in the direction we want to go. This helps us achieve our goals and improve relationships. I always take a non-judgmental stance and hope that you will find me down-to-earth and easy to talk to.

I work with children and adolescents, and their families. The issues addressed include divorce, death of a parent or sibling, chronic illness, learning or behavioral challenges, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, school refusal, social phobia, anxiety, depression, self harming behaviors, bullying and peer conflicts, step-families, and identity struggles. Many of my interventions involve experiential activities with a gestalt orientation. I have been trained for many years by Violet Oaklander, and I offer trainings internationally in her theoretical model created specifically for working with children and their families.

Through the therapeutic process, I foster a safe space to address complicated emotions and stressors, move towards growth, and facilitate healing. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. I work primarily with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, self-harm, depression, and low self-esteem. Therapy with me may include processing through traditional talking, art therapy, play therapy, building resources, creating support systems, and working on skills needed to help you or your loved ones reach their therapeutic goals.

I am a clinical psychologist with a large practice focusing on adolescents, young adults, adults and families. My practice has allowed me to gain significant experience in addressing anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors and addiction. A large percentage of my practice focuses on male mental health. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults and families of the Conejo Valley for over 11 years.

My clients typically come to me because they are struggling with anxiety or depression and they want to work on their ability to interact with others or improve relationships, complete tasks, sleep better or feel better about themselves; all of which may stem from past trauma. I use a variety of approaches including Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions, Dialectical Behavior Therapy interventions, and when indicated Behavioral Interventions. I work from a strengths-based perspective to find the best parts of you and/or your family and I work to build your strengths so you can grow and thrive on your own again.

Are you like me and have found when I seek to change anything in my life it is the most exciting, terrifying, rewarding, difficult and life altering experience? Deepak Chopra once said, “All great changes are preceded by chaos.” I have found this sentiment to be true in my personal life. Making the decision to change is a difficult choice, but I believe, the true path to healing and joy. In my career I have the pleasure of getting to know many different people from different walks of life and individuals in different phases. I have found the desire to better oneself to be the most amazing and rewarding work I could ever ask for.

All of life's unknowns can be terrifying, but everything you want for yourself to live your best life is on the other side of fear. Often it requires us to be much more compassionate with ourselves on our way towards growth. Compassion to recognize that growth takes time and moving from point A to Z doesn’t happen overnight. Change is clearly not easy. If it were there would be no need for anyone’s assistance as we grow and change. When we distract ourselves in any way, such as with tv, cleaning, alcohol, or any other means of checking out, we are in a state of avoidance.

When we seek therapy it is usually because we reach a point when our problems and challenges outweigh our ability to cope with them. Sometimes we feel stuck in old patterns of behavior or relationships that no longer work for us and we wish to make changes. I serve as a collaborator with you on your journey of self discovery as you find new ways of being and making more appropriate life choices. I provide safety and support as you experience psychological understanding and growth and remain with you as you develop ways to handle life's burdens in more empowering ways.

The benefit of therapy is that one can gain self-understanding, as well as a better understanding of other people. When a person tends to view the world from a negative perspective, without being aware of the source of these negative views, a belief begins to grow that the world and the components of daily-life experiences are negative. The same can be said for events that provoke anxiety, as well as for individual experiences of trauma. Holding these types of thoughts without processing them tends to skew our views on reality and lead to errors in thinking, such as generalizations about how the world should be.

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.

There are times in our lives when we are challenged by circumstances that seem too great to navigate and bear alone. The corona virus is truly one of these times. I am offering tele-therapy through video or the phone to those who need extra support during these uncertain time. I am a trauma specialist and understand how addictions and other self-destructive behaviors mask pain. To interact with another person who can respond appropriately and share your concerns and emotional experiences can bring about meaningful life changes.

I am a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern eager to guide and work alongside you as you begin the journey to resolve the obstacles you are currently facing. I demonstrate a passionate devotion to helping you build an enriching life; one in which you are able to accept and love yourself, as well as connect emotionally with your loved ones. I strive to provide a safe and secure environment, where you can start to understand, accept, and heal from the pain and trauma from your past.

My approach to therapy focuses on healing, connection, and emotional insight to allow individuals, couples, and families to reach their goals and improve their lives. We will work together to tailor your treatment so that whatever may be affecting you can be worked through in a safe, comfortable space. I utilize different treatment modalities like EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy and TRM to bring you the best treatment for your personalized needs. Some of my specialty areas include grief & loss, PTSD, couples and family therapy, depression, and anxiety.

Our practice offers a unique and diverse range of providers with a full scope of expertise, experience and perspective to provide a truly tailored approach to the clients individual needs. At A Place To Turn, we focus on healing the Whole Self, which generates an overall state of wellness. We know life is complex and everyone has a unique story, and incorporate the Whole Self; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Engage Psychological Services is a collection of highly qualified clinicians in independent private practices. Our clinicians offer a variety of services such as: individual therapy, child and adolescent therapy, family therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, gEEG neurofeedback, and neuropsychological evaluation. Engage Psychological Services clinicians work to collaborate with any community partners to best address the needs of the whole system. We have clinicians who have been supporting children, adolescents, adults and families in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas for over 27 years.

I offer mental health services to individuals, couples, and families who are seeking a safe and comfortable environment to discuss their current challenges and focus on their goals.

I appreciate the courage it takes for someone to seek therapy and ask for help. Even though it can be an uncomfortable process at the beginning, psychotherapy can be an extremely rewarding experience. I try my best to provide you with a very safe and supportive environment and to work collaboratively with you on raising your awareness about your process and helping you improve your quality of life. I am certified in Gestalt Therapy by the Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA) so I integrate gestalt therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in my work with you.