Somatic Therapists in Westlake Village, CA

I Wendy De Augustine, L.M.F.T., MA., am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have a MA in Art Therapy. I specialize in individual, couple, group and family therapy. My areas of focus include art therapy, narrative therapy and working with children, adolescents and adults. I received a 62-unit Masters of Arts degree in Psychology with a major in Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. I work extensively with depressed teens and adults, utlizing different techniques through a Narrative and Post Modern lens to provide what is most helpful to my clients.

You've known that some issues have been always holding you back from reaching your full potential in life, career, and relationships. You realize that these unresolved and unattended issues do not serve your life, and keep sabotaging your happiness on different levels... Perhaps, you even tried working through some of them on your own, but deep down you know you need some external help and guidance to heal from them. You would like to reach some peace, let go of pain, learn how to accept and love yourself better, learn some real tools and skills to be more resilient, feel strong and confident, and be able to enjoy life.

My specialty is to treat Adult and Childhood ( Developmental Trauma), Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Fear of flying, driving, claustrophobia and agoraphobia , medical issues related to stress. I also provide couples therapy, and premarital counseling.

Do roadblocks get in the way of living the life you want? Do you and your partner argue over the same issues leaving you feeling disconnected and lonely? Do difficult memories and experiences leave you feeling stuck? Is your teen struggling with behavior, school or relationships? If you answered 'yes' to any of these, I can help. Deciding to seek therapy is not easy - it takes courage! Whether it's yourself, your relationship or your teen struggling, you deserve to feel happy & successful. I can help you get your life/relationships back on track. My clients experience me as a warm, skillful and compassionate therapist. You will too.

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.

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.

Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.

I know how scary it can be to take that first step in your desire to make changes and live your best life. Choosing to seek therapy is one of the scariest and bravest things you will ever do. I would love to help you on your journey and believe that healing and emotional well being is for everyone. My approach is holistic. I believe our minds and bodies are connected, and healing includes a whole person perspective. I will work with you to understand your mental and/or physical struggles and encourage you to find balance in your life, while also allowing for personal growth and healing.

Nobody’s childhood dream was to grow up and feel overwhelmed, alone, stuck or unworthy. I aim to help individuals heal from trauma-related issues such as anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues. If you find yourself living without a navigation system to understand emotional terrain or trauma that impacts your well-being; you are not alone. All of us go through rough patches in our lives. My approach is specific to meet your unique needs in a safe and non-judgemental space.

Are you struggling to process depression, anxiety, relationship/family issues, and trauma? These emotional ruptures can cause major disruptions in our lives. The work to process these types of life events is multifaceted, and I can help you identify your feelings and potential relational patterns, build tolerance and acceptance around challenging ones, and set meaningful goals. In order to do so, I utilize various therapeutic approaches consisting of ACT, CBT, and Problem Solving Therapy and somatic interventions.

I work from the belief that the answers are already within you, waiting to be unlocked. My role as your therapist is to help you remove psychological blocks that hinder you from fully becoming who you are meant to be. We will work together to explore and move past these blocks in an open, trusting, and non-judgmental way. The ultimate goal being a greater sense of purpose, meaning, and well being in your life.

It seems brave to me to make a decision to start therapy, to come and open up to a complete stranger. Whether coming to gain life skills as an individual or a couple; Or coming to therapy to process life events as a family or an individual, the one thing on my part most necessary is to listen without judgment or a personal agenda. Working collaboratively, creating a relationship based on trust and empathy is vital. I feel like it is my part to be professional, ethical, and supportive. I specialize in "interpersonal neurobiology" which is an interdisciplinary view of the mind and how it affects how we feel and behave.

If you are reading this page you are probably not living the life you want. Major life transitions, anxiety, fear and depression, or a traumatic past will impact the quality of your life. If you are interested in freeing your body and mind, I can help. There is a path towards a happy life, a sense of freedom and more loving relationships. I am passionate about helping adults, all ages, as well as children, teenagers, and families gently work through issues, both physically and emotionally. I support my clients with tools to ground, center yourself and how to best recover from and prepare you for challenging situations.

Trauma, stress, and other painful experiences can cause us to develop negative thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and the world, keeping us stuck, and preventing us from moving forward. You may feel overwhelmed, powerless, hopeless, depressed or anxious or experience panic attacks. You tell yourself to "get over it," blame ourselves when we can't, and are often ashamed to let anyone know that we are struggling. You do not have to keep repeating the same patterns; life does not have to be all about pain and suffering. You can heal from your trauma, moving beyond those old behaviors to live happy, satisfying, fulfilling lives.

Finding a new therapist may initially feel overwhelming, especially when trying to find the right fit. With that in mind, I aim to prioritize a positive therapeutic relationship. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable and seen. I work collaboratively with clients to identify and overcome obstacles that may hinder their quality of life. Additionally, I am dedicated to helping my clients develop healthy communication and coping strategies.

Therapy is learning to use yourself as source for truth. I believe it is our birthright to live an authentic and fulfilling life. I hold the perception that we are all creative beings who are artists of our own lives. I believe that every individual has a unique blueprint and a unique way of living. We can create the life we desire when we paint with the colors of our unlimited potential and authentic expression. When we paint with the colors that ignite our truest essence, we become radiant and we attract what is in highest alignment with us. It is in this impactful space where we can find tremendous healing, growth and elevation.

I enjoy helping clients better understand themselves so they can make a more informed choice about how they wish to move through the world. This is best achieved when a client feels safe, heard and not judged, so that is the essence of what I try to provide to all clients right away - a safe and relaxing space to be listened to with empathy and concern. Trauma and emotional pain can be difficult to deal with, and it’s a privilege to be able to support you as quickly as possible, with evening and weekend availability and your choice of in-office and remote sessions.