Therapists in Sierra Madre, CA

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Doctor of Bioethics practicing psychotherapy in Sierra Madre. I am Masters and Doctoral trained in Bioethics at Loyola Chicago and completed an additional Masters in Social Work and psychotherapy training at USC. I am experienced in treating depression and anxiety, grief and loss, those with chronic illness, and working with challenging family systems.

You’re pretty resilient but life has thrown you a curve ball. Maybe you’ve recently experienced a major transition (marriage/divorce, birth/death, aging, job loss/gain) or; your identity disrupts essential relationships (sexual orientation, religious affiliation, loving outside your race/ethnicity). Maybe a societal ill is beyond your control (racism, sexism, implicit bias, global pandemic). Your spouse/partner, boss, family or a friend has noticed it too but; you can't seem to talk to them about what's happening or you don't feel understood by them when you do. All you want is to feel better and tolerate life's ups and downs.

My approach cultivates connection and collaboration, offering a judgment-free space tailored to your unique experiences and aspirations. My clients often compare working with me to a compassionate journey in which self-discovery leads to empowerment. Change is made possible by accepting your current situation. Together, we strengthen the muscles of sitting with your emotions, reducing the impact of challenges like anxiety & self-doubt. Invite Future You to act in alignment with your values, free from persistent thoughts that hold you back. Let's make space for growth and create a path that aligns with the best version of yourself.

My mission is to empower those that I work with to have meaningful connections to themselves and the world around them.I specialize in supporting individuals, couples and families who are in transition - specifically, if a family member is in treatment or struggling with abuse, trauma, eating disorders or chemical dependency. It is very important to me that I respect my clients' philosophies, values and goals in therapy. As I work with a family, I'm sensitive to the experience of being invited in and I only offer solutions that fit within the family culture.

I specialize in relationship issues pertaining to Infidelity; Youth (most often impacted by familial stressors) and Communication, which correlates and can manifest as obsessive thoughts, anxiety, depression and related addictions. Infidelity is a symptom of underlying issues. Trained in EMDR to identify and manage trauma, I became a therapist due to personal experience in dealing with affairs. I understand the emotional roller coaster infidelity creates. Emotional education and processing is important to understanding why you are experiencing the emotions you are dealing with.

~ ALL THINGS RELATIONAL ~ My work revolves around the interactions between & relationships among people.

I have had the privilege of working with adults and couples for over 37 years, helping with a wide range of issues including: depression, anxiety, self esteem, relationships, stress, ageing, family of origin issues, cross cultural issues, identity, grief/loss and mild addictions.

I help women get unstuck! Many women promise themselves they’ll do things differently from now on - but find themselves stuck in the same spot six months later. You don’t have to stay stuck or keep relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms to help you get through. Life’s too short to let your past keep disrupting your future. Choose yourself again. Stop feeling stuck. Live with confidence. In working with me you will become less reactive and triggered in your daily life; and feel more empowered and confident. Through our time together I will help you find happiness and peace, gain clarity, and get back on the right path for YOU.

I like helping people find contentment and happiness in their lives. I believe it is important to understand one's self and one's personal values and to make choices that are positive and life-affirming. I have had extensive experience working with people having experienced trauma and loss, relationship problems, and who have substance abuse problems. Creative people are also one of my specializations. My training is primarily psycho-dynamic along with cognitive-behavioral orientation. I believe mindfulness, spirituality and forgiveness are ways of helping alter patterns of behavior that can keep us stuck in our lives.

I am an out-of-network provider, which means I do not bill insurance companies for my services. For additional billing information please visit my website. I offer psychotherapy for adults, and young adults, who would like to be able to cope more effectively with their emotions and life stresses, heal from difficult experiences, and improve their relationships. Whether you're struggling with depression, overwhelming stress, addiction, relationship problems, life transitions, career direction or you want to work on taking your performance to the next level, we'll work together to explore and address your concerns and challenges.

I am known for working well with individuals who are shy and who may be fearful of entering therapy. I have a specialization in the diagnosis/assessment and treatment of AD/HD and learning disorders such as dyslexia. My therapeutic approach is primarily cognitive behavioral. Pragmatism describes my approach to treatment. Management of chronic mental illness, and adjustment issues relating to ethnic/cultural/generational and religious issues are also areas which I specialize in. I believe that at times addressing questions pertaining to meaning in life can be as important as changing behavioral patterns and emotions.

I utilize a holistic approach to mental health; addressing emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, while generating momentum towards transcendence

Whether it is time for you to mend an emotional wound, get relief from anxiety and depression, seek the right relationship, repair the current one, or to create a larger purpose for your life, including a therapist during your journey can help you discover what is possible for you. In addition to his main therapy approaches, Rudy believes that psychotherapy can be vastly improved by integrating deeper exploration into your EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ): Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social skills. Optimizing these primary components of EQ with your therapist can be a game-changer during your work together.

We all want to feel better from time to time. We get stuck, sad, scared, alone. And right now during these uncertain times, many of us are struggling. Well, there is good news! The field of psychology, through research in neuroscience, has uncovered new powerful and effective ways that really work to build our resilience, improve our lives and relationships, and help us feel more connected and alive. I want to help you experience all of that. You just need to reach out, which is hard. I promise you though, if you take that step, you will feel better.

I believe that all people have the ability to heal themselves and yet sometimes a little extra support is needed to get there. Are you driven, passionate and capable but struggling to maintain right now? I offer a safe, non-judgmental and compassionate space so you can explore whatever is currently holding you back. As someone who worked as a night attendant on the FDA-approved MDMA/PTSD study and having provided over 10 years of harm reduction services at music events, I find that my open-mindedness has been an essential component of my professional development.

Are you feeling stuck? Maybe you feel stuck in the past or present. Maybe it's hard to feel hopeful about the future. It's easy to become trapped in painful memories and negative experiences. A negative experience could be one life changing event or many smaller events that accumulate over time. I specialize in treating people who have experienced trauma. Trauma takes many forms but always takes a toll. Trauma can make you feel overwhelmed, insecure, and hopeless. Trauma can make you forget who you used to be.

Alison specializes in working with children, adolescents, teens and adults. She provides EMDR or Brainspotting and is passionate about helping children and adults overcome emotional difficulties while building healthy coping skills. She provides a safe, nurturing space for her clients to talk about their feelings and learn practical calming tools. She works closely with her young clients' parents, guiding them every step of the way. Alison also loves to work with premarital and marital couples, help adults going through breakups and/or those who have experienced narcissistic abuse.

Humorist, Mark Twain once wrote, "I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened." Left unchecked, fear-based thinking shapes reality and impedes potential and growth. The unknown and mixed messages surrounding the pandemic has reinforced this mindset and may have left you with perpetual feelings of sadness, uncertainty and doubt. The first step of our journey together is establishing a relationship built upon trust, respect, and safety. Through shared conversation, mindfulness, and self-regulating techniques, we create a bond that honors your unique story and circumstance.

Immediate openings for couples and adolescents! Are you ready to embark on a journey towards healing, self-discovery, and personal growth? Look no further! I'm here to guide you through life's challenges and empower you to become your best self. It's time to take that first step towards a brighter, happier future. Together, we'll explore your strengths, conquer your challenges, and celebrate your victories. Whether you're battling anxiety, depression, or the lingering effects of trauma, I'm here to help you regain control and find inner peace. You have the strength to overcome, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way.