Therapists in South, Pasadena, CA

It is in our nature to live our lives through stories. Often our stories can become overshadowed by the effects of problems in our lives. Trauma, anxiety, depression and difficult life transitions may have taken you away from what you value most, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected. My goal is to honor all parts of your story, providing a compassionate space for you to heal and re-claim your own agency in your life.

Thanks for clicking on my page! I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) with a passion for helping clients find greater peace, purpose, and fulfillment in their lives. Using an evidence-based approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I work with individuals, couples, and families to overcome challenges and cultivate resilience.

I have over 20 years of experience helping people reclaim their personal power and live a life of greater authenticity and fulfillment. I support clients to heal past wounds, build self-esteem, and begin saying "yes" to their dreams and values in their relationships, careers, spritituality, etc. I use a blend of traditional psychotherapy, life coaching and spiritual teachings to support my clients in self-actualization. For LGBT clients and family members dealing with coming out issues I support them in authentic self-expression, honesty, and self-acceptance.

When things aren't going right and it's time to seek help, I will be there to individualize your treatment and focus on your particular needs. I work with young adults, adults and older adults around many issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, difficult emotions, women's issues, recent losses, struggles in parenting, health crises, caring for the aging parent, as well as dealing with the transition of aging. I also have specialized experience with life span issues-emerging adulthood and adult children of aging parents, as well as with couples who are in business together.

Do you find yourself fighting with your partner about the same issues over and over again? Do you believe that you and your partner are having trouble communicating your wants and needs, often feel unheard and frustrated? I can help be the non-judgmental bridge between you both, teach new skills, and help recreate the connection and trust that was once lost. Or, you may be having trouble finding yourself after a break up, or a traumatic event, have lost of sense of self, anxiety or depression. I can help you regain your confidence where you can live a more fulfilling life. You don't have to suffer alone!

Hi, I am Estel! My specialties are marriage counseling, parenting, traumas, and issues relating to multigenerational family dynamics and cultural identity. Are you struggling with feeling overwhelmed, a sense of belonging, and connection with others? Do you want to improve communication with your loved ones? I help couples and families recognize negative cycles and resolve conflicts so that they can build trust, connect, and restore relationships. Together, we will explore how one's family and childhood impact current relationships, restore connections & support systems, and reclaim a life of hope, meaning, and purpose.

Trudy is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of invaluable experience in the field of mental health and family counseling. Her unwavering commitment to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges has made her a respected professional within the therapeutic community. With a deep understanding of the human experience, Trudy specializes in working with diverse populations dealing with a range of issues.

I work with adults and teenagers who are looking to manage symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. I will be with you on the journey of healing to discovery, recovery, and connection to your true self. I also specialize in working with individuals experiencing life transition issues such as career/academic concerns and relationship stress. I approach therapy with a person-centered mindset to create as comfortable and welcoming an environment as I can. I believe the trust built between you and a therapist is one of the more powerful tools we as clinicians can offer, and I hope to garner that trust in my own practice.

Has trauma, anxiety, or depression interfered with the potential to become the best version of yourself? We often feel defined by traumatic or emotionally difficult experiences then often leave us feeling stuck in place rather than moving forward towards our goals. I’m here to provide a safe, affirming space for you to develop an understanding of yourself to overcome past experiences or fears that define you. Our work together will be met with unconditional acceptance, creative approaches, and the utmost compassion.

Do you struggle with feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, or low self-esteem? Do you find yourself avoiding social engagements or so preoccupied with excessive worrying? Finding ways to navigate these difficult feelings can help you get back on track. I use a psychodynamic approach and CBT that focuses on uncovering patterns of behavior and ways of relating to ourselves and others that are often outside of our awareness. I also consider how our past impacts who we are today. Through acceptance and empathy, we will establish a trusting therapeutic relationship and work together toward your personal growth and self-discovery.

The first step to healing is the step you are taking now. Searching for the ‘right’ therapist can feel daunting. I believe the right match is so important to building the trust needed to have a successful therapeutic experience. I have been in practice since 2005 helping adults, adolescents and families.

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.

Are you struggling with anxiety and trauma and turning towards unhealthy coping mechanisms in an attempt to manage your emotions? Now is a trying time for almost everyone, and if you have a trauma background what's coming up in the current environment may be reminiscent of the stress, isolation, and fear induced by early childhood experiences. You don't have to handle this alone, and with clinically tested techniques to regulate the mind and body, it's possible to shift from a place of disempowerment to strength.

Do you feel overwhelmed? Hopeless? Scared? Stuck? Do you feel like your world is spinning out of control? Are you taking care of a family member with a disability or illness? Do you wish the chaos would stop? What would it be like to not feel that way? Sometimes past hurts affect present relationships. Sometimes what you know in your head doesn't match what you feel in your heart. Sometimes multiple stressors can overwhelm you. And sometimes we just need a tune-up for our lives.

Do you struggle with anxiety and depression due to your childhood trauma? Are you having problems with your partner or family members due to life transition issues? Are you experiencing increased stress, fears, and doubts around the future? I believe that we all have the capacity to heal our emotional wounds and create meaningful changes. My goal as a therapist is to offer you a safe place in which you can process insights, concerns, and emotions associated with trauma.

I see adults and couples for therapy.

We all want to be understood and feel like we are making progress towards our life goals. My approach is comforting, humorous, humble, creative and lovingly direct. Everyone needs connection and in my experience the benefits of connecting and being seen by someone in therapy are many. Are you interested in working on an issue related to a relationship, major life change, depression and/or anxiety? Visit my website www.rachelwardlmft.com or call at 626-327-3456 for a free 25 minute consultation to see if we are a good fit. Making sure we connect is very important.

Feeling stuck in your relationship because it keeps cycling over and over the same way? Does it leaves you with a sense of frustration and helplessness that everything you have tried to fix it has not worked? What was once wonderful has turned into either constant fighting or the cold distance of loneliness. And it feels like it will never change. This is where most couples find themselves when they reach out to me. There is a difference between pain and suffering. Life has painful events but suffering results from suppressed love with the sense that it will never change.

Distracted. Lonely. Confused. Sound Familiar? Are you your own worst enemy? Has indecision or a "dumb" choice messed up your career, school or personal growth? Do you agonize over decisions? Or are plagued by critical thoughts? You may ask, "Why is this so difficult?" You want help. You want more than being asked, "How does that make you feel?" You want someone who gets you, gives honest feedback, and offers tools to take ownership of your life. Let's have a conversation that start moving your life forward.