Narrative Therapists in Van Nuys, CA

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

My name is Jennifer Kolbow, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Corona, CA, and providing telehealth to clients throughout California. I enjoy working with families, parents as well as children and teens individually, in order to reduce symptoms and improve relationships. My approach works well with children and teens struggling with anger and irritability, withdrawal and isolation, low self-esteem, and excessive worry. I also help adults struggling with all stages of parenting from infertility to postpartum to empty nesters, and all of the transitions in between.

Ilya Belitsky is an LMFT in CA specializing in anxiety, depression, and other problems that may interfere with daily life. My approach includes CBT, DBT, Solution focused, Narrative. I work with clients who have anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and life transitions. I provide a safe environment with an empathetic approach where I allow clients to be able to express themselves without any judgment. I love the work that I do, and the reason why is because I get to help clients become the best versions of themselves.

Our life experiences can lead us to question our identity and purpose in the world we live in. This can lead us to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Do you want to improve how you face challenges, function in your relationships, and face overwhelming feelings? I place heavy importance on addressing trauma. Trauma disintegrates the parts that make up your whole self, which can leave aspects of who you are hidden from your awareness. Left unaddressed, anxiety and depression can worsen, which can rob you of the necessary connection that all human beings need to thrive. I aim to help you process unresolved trauma.

Are you struggling with trauma, grief, or loss? As a first-generation Armenian-American from an immigrant family, I understand the unique challenges that come with navigating relationships, family, and work while carrying around the complexities of intergenerational trauma. Grief and loss can take many forms, and not all are widely recognized or supported by society. This is called disenfranchised grief, the type of grieving that can leave you believing you are alone, but the truth is that you are not.

Finding a good therapist can feel a bit like shoe shopping...you may try a few pairs before you find one that fits. I hope to be your pair "that fits." My therapeutic approach is Narrative Therapy. This type of approach, if you are not familiar with it, uses the idea that we are not our problems...Problems are problems. We will explore, discover, and name your problem, identify unique outcomes, and build your preferred identity separate from "problems."

Accepting new clients. "There is a crack in everything, That's how the light gets in." Licensed since 2008, I bring a wealth of experience across diverse settings (hospital, community, residential treatment and private practice). My passion lies in the collaboration and co-creation of preferred stories. A lifelong love of art, nature and travel imbue my practice. I enjoy working with creative people, teens and couples as they grapple with questions related to identity, roles and life transition. I work from a strengths based model which views the client as the expert.

The toll of trauma, stress, anxiety, & depression builds over time, things that once seemed manageable turn into a life that's not our own, because we're stuck in survival mode. It's exhausting. As a therapist, my goal is to collaborate with you to safely navigate your inner landscape and put pieces together so you can uncover your unique abilities and create a mental health toolkit that will carry you through a lifetime. I am here to support you in working through unresolved feelings and conflicts and guide you toward healing. Therefore, you can feel empowered, rejuvenated, and enthusiastic about life again.

Life is a journey. Sometimes we are climbing mountains and sometimes we are walking through valleys. It is difficult to walk the path alone. It would be my pleasure to walk alongside you, through the uncertainty, the fear, and the despair, into joy and freedom. Whether you're just discovering your spirituality or faith has always been a central part of your life, my faith-based counseling services can help you find guidance through the power of God.

Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, identity, and difficult life transitions? Do you find yourself feeling stuck and can’t seem to focus or move forward? There are many ways to get unstuck, and this is the work I love to do to help you heal, grow and live a more fulfilling life. I use an integrative approach including attachment-based work, DBT, CBT, IFS, and mindfulness, bringing in each as needed. Above all, I strive to hold space and empathy for your life experience.

When we are exposed to trauma at an early age, it can seriously impact how we feel about ourselves and our relationships with others. Trauma can also profoundly affect whether we feel this is a safe world and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and relational/familial issues. My practice is from a strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective with a non-judgmental framework. I aim to understand clients’ internal responses and to provide more options for emotional regulation and problem-solving.

Hi, I am Amanda Johnson, LCSW (101426). I approach therapy from a client centered lens. It's important to me that my client's feel safe, heard, and have input in their treatment. I use a Strength Based approach with a variety of other therapeutic modalities to work with many DSM5 diagnosis. Depression, anxiety, attachment, personality disorder, bipolar, and substance abuse are some of my most worked with disorders. Some of the populations I have served are, families that have encountered the CPS system, domestic violence survivors, teens released from psychiatric care, and pre-teens.

Ms. Posternak through her training and knowledge, provides clinical services to help people empower themselves to live a fuller life; managing feelings of depression, anxiety, worry, loss, anger, having a better understanding of themselves, increasing their self confidence by learning new tools including problem solving, assertiveness, effective communication, relaxation techniques and anger management skills to enhance daily functioning. "Life is not about surviving the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain..."

Experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma can be hard to navigate on one’s own. Through the use of integrative modalities, my goal is to help you find your way so that you can manage symptoms, feel your best, discover who you truly are, and move forward in the direction of your dreams whereby your past no longer holds you back. Using warmth and compassion, I also aim to provide trauma-informed care to discuss your struggles without judgment and safely process unresolved trauma and feelings.

Do you feel as though your anxiety and depression are unmanageable? How about feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness like you’ve hit rock bottom and are struggling to find hope for tomorrow? Once we start to unravel the details of our past and trauma we give ourselves the ability to process feelings that we have long suppressed. I aim to collaborate with you and provide tools to decrease the challenging feelings you are currently facing and achieve a more integrated and balanced sense of self, leading to emotional healing and personal growth.

My name is Kelly Smarkel, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Sacramento, California, and I work with clients statewide via Telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. I utilize Talk Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help clients gain greater insight and understanding to make progress toward their goals and start to feel better. Through my educational background and lived experience, I can relate to many issues that often take the form of anxiety, depression, stress, and feeling lost or hopeless.

Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, and trauma? Do you experience difficulties managing family and relationship issues? I believe that healing happens when we pay attention to all the parts that make us whole—our mind, body, and soul. The subconscious mind controls most of our reality and choices, so building awareness and active presence can improve the quality of daily living and assist in not only surviving but thriving through life. As an intuitive & holistic therapist, I will assist you in strengthening your inner psyche and developing new tools to manage negative feelings and thoughts.

Do you find difficulties with feelings of depression, anxiety, relationship/family problems, and trauma? These emotional disruptions can have a significant impact on our lives. Coping with these events requires various approaches, and I can assist you in recognizing your emotions and identifying possible patterns in your relationships. I can also help you develop resilience and acceptance towards challenging emotions, and support you in setting meaningful goals. I utilize EMDR, CBT, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, & person-centered therapy to reduce anxiety and trauma symptoms, foster resilience, and enhance the quality of life.

My particular expertise is in joining any client on their journey towards reaching their goals, whether it be anxiety management, a successful life transition, processing recent or older trauma, or anything else that may be making life a bit more difficult right now. My ideal clients are adolescents or adults wanting to make change, but who aren't sure how. You are dealing with life and all of its uncertainties. I feel privileged to be invited to be your partner in helping you find the solutions that already live inside of you.