Therapists in Agoura Hills, CA

Our life experiences shape who we are and how we see ourselves. They contribute to how we view our relationships with our friends and family. Perhaps you feel stuck, or anxious and aren’t sure how to move past those feelings. You may be struggling with the loss of a loved one, the pains of past trauma, or regret about where you are at this stage of your life. By forming a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients, I help create a safe space for you to explore where you came from and where you want to be. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with over 25 years of experience.

When searching for a therapist it's vital that we find someone we can truly trust and believe can help us. Security and comfort with a therapist is very important. When a client finds these features in a therapist then they are better able to set and reach goals to fulfill their dreams and to find their meaning and purpose in life. I provide a warm, safe and supportive environment for clients so they may feel that they are seen and understood. The basis of my work begins with the birth of a secure attachment.

The goal to good therapy work is in creating a safe therapeutic relationship of deep listening and empathy. Empathy is a strange and powerful thing. There is no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It's simply deep listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of, "You are not not alone." Take some time to heal. Give me a call and let's begin to re-write your story.

I believe that healing, growth, and change are available to all people, regardless of their present circumstances or their past misfortune. I believe therapy is a collaborative effort and each individual is an expert on their personal experiences and goals. I seek to explore and build from each client's personal strengths to find viable solutions, enhance coping skills, and nurture the path to positive change. I believe no one is truly alone, and that feelings of loneliness can be very real and overwhelming. There is strength in reaching out for help. I seek to provide an empathetic environment of self-discovery and change.

Whether you are looking for a therapist because of recent difficulties or challenges that started years ago, you will find that I offer a rare combination of rigorous training with a down-to-earth style to help you achieve your goals. As an established professor and author in the field, I am well-versed in the latest research to ensure your problems are resolved as efficiently as possible using the most effective methods available. If you have had difficulty connecting with past therapists or are concerned that I might act like therapists in the movies, I believe you will find my style refreshingly more relatable.

I am a licensed, clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in psychology and psychotherapy with individuals, family and couples. I've been involved in private practice as well as numerous pro-bono projects including organizing a counseling program for Soviet immigrants, providing lectures and seminars for parents on issues of teenage substance abuse and behavior problems.

I believe that each person has the capacity to grow emotionally and create satisfying relationships both with themselves and others. I do this by addressing and resolving old pain and paying attention to the ways in which you continue to be stuck in patterns of behavior that no longer bring a desired response from the world. I am psychoanalytically trained and bring in your past experiences only as much as they continue to influence your present life. I will also help you address any crises and ongoing issues you are struggling with.

Have you lost interest in things you used to love? Are worries dominating your life? Are you struggling to be yourself or just get through the day? I want you to know you are not alone!

Individuals come to my practice when their usual coping skills/communication are no longer effective, often leading to anxiety, frustration and at times feelings of hopelessness. These problems often interfere with normal daily routines. The Good News is that Things Can and Do Get Better. My approach to working with adolescents and adults is active, collaborative, and practical, in a safe and supportive setting. My goal is to bring clarity, new perspectives, and understanding to these situations.

If you are considering therapy, you have taken the first step toward making a positive change. It takes courage to seek support and talking with someone can help. When we experience painful events, feel our life’s plan has been taken out of our control, and experience disconnect in our relationships, we can feel hopeless, alone and lost. I believe that, through life’s challenges, we can learn how truly strong we are.

My practice is devoted to working with adults, adolescents and couples to help them deal with difficulties in their relationships and in their personal lives. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and I am continually honored and intrigued by being able to help people in their lives. I received my degrees (Summa Cum Laude) from Washington University, and my doctorate in Psychology is from CSPP. In addition to my years of work in private practice, my experience includes years of intensive supervised client counseling, and now I am a supervisor at a well established clinic, in addition to my practice.

As a counselor, I work with clients to restore trust, joy, purpose and meaningful connections in life. If you have been through a trauma or loss, if you are overcoming abuse & victimization, job loss, or divorce, if you are feeling disappointment with the direction your life has taken, or if you feel you are simply "going through the motions" ... I will come alongside you to provide a safe and gentle environment for healing. You may be surprised by how much healing and joy is possible. Take your first step today!

When it comes to mental illness, treatment and outlook can feel daunting. My therapeutic approach is developed on an individual basis with an emphasis on reshaping personality organization in order to create long-lasting change. I truly enjoy assisting my patients in defeating their symptoms and regaining control of their lives. I have experience working with an array of individuals, ranging from young children to adults suffering from a multitude of mental health issues. Aside from my private practice, I work as a group therapist in an intensive outpatient program with individuals just released from emergency psychiatric care.

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.

My focus is to assist individuals, couples, and families in understanding how their thoughts affect their feelings and behavior. By using this approach, problems in every-day living (including but not limited to depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder [especially in adults and adolescents] eating disorders, post-partum concerns, couple conflict, and teen/family problems) are addressed and resources are mobilized to provide effective change. Also, in an effort to strengthen marriage and families, I have created a comprehensive pre-marital program and effective parenting course.

There are moments in everyone's life when things can begin to feel overwhelming. Deciding if therapy is right for you or a loved one is not always easy. I provide a safe environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings so that together we can come up with the best treatment plan for you. With the right therapist I believe amazing growth can happen. My goal is to have you leave with enough tools and resources to use throughout all the difficult times in your life not just this one.

A commitment to excellence has been the guiding principle in my career. I received my training and education from prestigious programs including USC, Univ. of Michigan Medical School, UCLA Medical School, and the Ann Arbor VAMC. I have a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and a Masters in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. I was taught and trained by some of the best in the field. I am regarded as an expert in different areas by authoring numerous peer-reviewed publications and giving dozens of presentations. I am committed to and passionate about helping people grow, change, and live fuller, happier, more productive lives.

Neuro-Psychotherapy: This unique therapeutic modality combines psychotherapy with a brain and behavior perspective. The integrative format helps you better understand your brain patterns in relationship to your behavior and emotional output. This information will help you to permanently correct the negative feeling or behavior, allowing you to establish positive patterns instead. We offer individual, family and couples therapy to children, adolescents and adults with the following problems or difficulties: sadness/depression, mood swings, anxiety (panic attacks), social phobia, poor social skills, OCD, substance abuse (relapse prevention), video game/internet/pornography addiction, gambling, eating disorders, sleep difficulties, impulsivity, anger problems, relationship issues, trauma/abuse, PTSD.

Are you dissatisfied with your life? It takes strength to reach out for help. I provide a comfortable, supportive environment to explore how to live a more fulfilling life. My therapeutic approach is interactive and collaborative with an emphasis on solution-focused, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My specialties include treating grief, depression, anxiety and relationship issues. In the past 32 years, I have helped hundreds of people (just like you) to overcome life obstacles and reach their full potential. So stop struggling on your own. You can change your life, and I can help.