Couples Counseling Therapists in Whittier, CA

Hello, my name is Areli Balvaneda, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My ideal client would be someone who has realized that coming to therapy is a way of growth which can lead to more intimate and positive relationships in there lives.

I have twelve years of experience working with at-risk youth, homeless adults with a chronic & persistent mental illness, and in the education system with students of all ages. I am passionate about working with preteens, adolescents, young adults, and individuals. I provide a safe & empathetic space, working with individuals who struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, identity issues, feelings of hopelessness, stress, low self worth, adjustment to life changes, school related challenges, and relationship conflict. I also have first hand experience with those involved in missions work, those that have been adopted, and those who have lost a parent to a fatal disease.

I understand recovery in these areas and how it is easy to say "I'll deal with these later" only to find out when you do deal with them they were not as overwhelming as you thought! Fear is a major factor in getting help and shared by many others who have found solutions to their life by facing this fear of HOW DO I CHANGE and IS IT POSSIBLE? Of course it is- we all know someone who have changed their lives for the better.

I imagine you have come here to find support to feel better and improve your quality of life and that something is adversely affecting you or your relationship with others. I have been licensed as an LMFT (47482) (see www.hollywoodtherapy.com) for many years and currently accruing hours as a psychological associate (PSB 94025773) supervised by Dr. Wray De Anda PSY 25484. I will work to align with you, understand you as a unique individual and your therapy goals, and help you find solutions to problems and take action to change. I use a positive, straightforward action-oriented, skills-based approach.

***NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. The process of finding the right therapist can be challenging and stressful. Finding the right therapist for you means finding a therapist who you can connect with, feel safe with, and who understands you. My hope is to make this process as easy as possible. I will offer you support in improving your mental health by collaborating with you towards achieving healthier & fulfilling relationships.

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started" (Mark Twain) As a licensed clinical psychologist, I am committed to helping others increase self-awareness, build resilience, discover inner strength, develop meaningful connections, and live a more productive, joyful life. Trained in CBT, I have an integrative approach, combining different therapeutic approaches & evidence-based techniques to fit the specific needs of each individual. Specializing in children & families, and as a mom of 3, I am passionate about strengthening parent-child relationships and encouraging a more mindful, compassionate, intentional approach to parenting.

It is an honor to provide you with guidance in finding solutions to your specific needs. You will receive a plan of treatment that is unique to you and with an approach that will help you meet your goals. My client history includes all ethnicities, individuals, couples , and families who seek to improve relationships, heal from trauma, adjust to a separation, relieve anxiety symptoms, manage anger, bereavement processing, and alleviation of depression symptoms. The goal of therapy is unique to each individual and serves to assist in recognizing problems and taking action to decrease or eliminate potential impacts to you and your relationships.

One of my favorite quotes about therapy reads, "The true counselor seeks to understand people from the standpoint of appreciation...it is like inviting the traveler in from a snowy and chilly journey to sit for an hour before the fire." This is my approach. I strive to provide a warm, non-judgmental presence with the curiosity and tools to help you free yourself of what you think you "should" be and accept and love who you are. I will support you in learning to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships and find safety in vulnerability and connection.

It's time to take back your life! Enjoy life on your own terms. You can create a life in which you are successful and happy. You no longer have to let the past, your relationships, pain or loss, your doubts or fears control your life. I can help.

Are you struggling in an unhealthy relationship ? Is overeating an issue? Are you or someone you love have an addiction? If you answered yes, you do not have to walk through this alone. I am here to serve you. It is my passion and belief that counseling/psychotherapy is absolutely one of the best tools needed to support empowerment through learning about oneself, working through personal past/present emotional pain and effective communication skills. I will provide you a safe, warm and nurturing environment to express your pain, frustration, thoughts and feelings.

It really is time. Time to bring forward your strength to overcome your sadness and pain. Time to heal the wounds of trauma, chaos, and fear. Time to bring a peaceful balance to your day to day life. You can do this! We can do this! With some help and direction, some practice and patience, you can find positive, life changing results. We will work together; to develop behavioral strategies that can overcome your emotional challenges, build a more compassionate awareness of self and others, and bring clarity/ healing to the impact of past and present.

Awareness allows for change. This is a phrase I have coined that you will hear from me often. Let's discuss this topic together – awareness allows for change. When we achieve awareness - awareness within ourselves, awareness of our environment, and awareness of our patterns of thought and behaviors - that's when positive changes can start to happen. One of the most important things that therapy can help you to achieve is awareness. As your therapist, I will be an additional resource for you as you endeavor to explore the areas of your life that need your energy and attention.

I have been providing counseling for 15 years to adolescents, adults, and families. I am psychodynamically trained and partner with my clients to address past traumas that may be impacting their current functioning. I believe that growth is essential in one's life and I am committed to helping my clients obtain their goals in life whether it's improving their communication skills or overcoming depression. I would love to meet with you and discuss your personal needs.

Offering Video Sessions for California and Texas. We are usually afraid of our feelings. We try to avoid them, mask them, hide them. We live in a world that tells us to be happy all the time. We try, but we can't, the feelings catch up with us. So we feel even worse. We feel lost, afraid, and guilty for feeling our feelings. In my practice, I provide a safe environment where you can start exploring your feelings, accept them, and work through them. I will help you get in touch with your inner/true self, accepting yourself for who you are, moving away from shame, guilt and fear, and starting the process of change.

When it comes to seeking help, no problem is too big or too small. I strive to offer a humanistic, client-centered approach that focuses on one’s ability to use true strengths to find wisdom, growth, healing, and fulfillment within themselves. I have worked with individuals, couples and families in dealing with numerous life issues such as depression, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, self-esteem and life changes. I am also bilingual and can provide services in Spanish if requested.

Seeking someone to listen? To aide you in improving yourself, your relationships, or in achieving emotional strength? I am a bilingual (Spanish & English) Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in helping individuals, families and couples better their communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. I have worked with children and adolescents in improving behavior, emotional regulation and school functioning. I provide a safe, trusting, and confidential place where you can express your thoughts and feelings in a positive healthy manner without fear of being negatively judged. Together we can determine appropriate treatment that meets your needs.

Citas en espanol estan disponibles. Dowrin Zuarez, is a Bilingual Marriage and Family Therapist (License number 124755) who specializes in solutions focus therapy, cognitive – behavioral therapy and family therapy. She works with individuals, couples and family units to alleviate suffering, mitigate problems, and reduce levels of stress in your life. She incorporates traditional therapeutic modalities with science-based interventions to assist clients reach their therapeutic goals. If you are ready to start therapy, give her call for a free 15-minute consultation.