Therapists in Valencia, CA

I'm a licensed psychologist and a marriage therapist. I have a specialty practice in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I hold a diplomate from the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists and I'm registered with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. All this fades into the background when I am with my patients. What matters is understanding and connecting with the person in front of me. I treat adults and adolescents who are mature enough to participate in talk therapy. My work is primarily with individuals and marital couples, but I also work with whole family systems when it is appropriate.

What is the impulse that gets you up in the morning? Do you struggle with knowing what it is? Do you feel that you are constantly working towards a goal only to see it move out of your grasp? In my practice I work a great deal with clients who work in the creative professions. I work with clients to uncover their internal dialogues and behaviors. I believe that every person is operating from a desire for love, dignity, and grace, and it can begin with the therapeutic relationship. I also have a business doing mental health consultation for the entertainment industry (Media Psychology Services).

I learned long ago in my own therapy that to be happy, first I had to learn to love myself. Now, as a marriage and family therapist, I help my clients do the same. Therapist Carl Rogers said, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." You don't have to be perfect; it's okay to make mistakes. To realize your dreams, you must face your fears and take risks. It's easier when you stop worrying so much about reaching your goal, and learn to savor the process itself.

I work with clients who are struggling with trauma or who may be facing personal or relationship problems creating friction or functional problems in their lives. I can help address the feeling that something is just not quite right in one's life, that one is not living to ones fullest potential, and identity issues. Invariably, these problems arise as a result of loss and disillusionment, whether it be through traumas including heartbreak, the loss of a loved one, or feelings of abandonment, isolation, or not being understood. I have significant experience and training in working with men and teenage boys.

Life challenges can motivate us to overcome obstacles and solve problems; but sometimes these challenges can slow us down and make us feel hopeless and helpless, worried, and unfulfilled. If you feel isolated and unable to function effectively in your daily life, allow me to work with you in finding the YOU within that can better manage emotional, behavioral and communication challenges. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, or low self-esteem, contact me for a consultation session. I look forward to being of service to you and join YOU in your journey.

I believe in offering my patients a confidental non judgemental approach to psychotherapy in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I can help you with your couples or family problems, your teen and children issues. I also deal with blended family difficulties with my background from an inpatient hospital experience, I am here to offer my specialities in Panic Disorder, Post Trumatic stress disorder, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Depression. When dealing with the disorders listed above I believe in taking an investigated approach of the source of the problem as well as teaching relaxation and positive thinking to help the patient gain control.

If you are feeling stuck due to a traumatic past that you are struggling to deal with and you need an empathetic, knowledgeable, experienced professional to help you navigate through the broken and dysregulated pieces then email me today. Trauma can show up in so many different ways from depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors, dysfunctional relationships, and so much more. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional it is my goal to not only assist you in the process of healing but to help you establish coping skills to manage distress and maintain appropriate self-care so that you can obtain peace and emotional well being.

Can't focus? Are you overstimulated or struggling with negative thoughts, painful memories, imposter syndrome, self-esteem, or decreased motivation? Do you fall into patterns in relationships, friendships, or work and wish you could break the cycle? Sometimes, it isn't obvious why we do the things we do, but we can sense we're not our most authentic or successful self. Even when we know the cause of our distress, changing our behavior can still be hard. That's where I come in. My job is to listen without judgment, pressure, or bias and help you examine the root causes of your challenges to create the change you want in your life.

Life brings us many challenges & changes, which can be disruptive & can negatively impact our mood and decrease motivation. I bring 20 years of experience of working with individuals who are either experiencing pain or are feeling "stuck." My passion lies in helping individuals, families & couples who struggle with issues such depression, trauma, anxiety & interpersonal conflicts. This includes helping people with unexpected losses, excessive fears, intense emotions or lack of trust in relationships. Specifically, I enjoy working with couples who are experiencing miscommunication issues & are striving to strengthen their bond.

The techniques I use are tailored to each client's unique needs and challenges. I use a holistic approach that is clinical, psychological, medical, and spiritual. These techniques help me plan, diagnose, and treat individuals as well as couples in relationship counseling. This creates a confidential, non-judgmental atmosphere based on kindness and respect. Only in this environment can you begin to make healthy, confident and mindful decisions so that you can reach your personal and relationship goals. I will walk with you through whatever challenges stand in your way.

Choosing a therapist is a difficult process. In the time when you may feel most vulnerable, you are inviting a complete stranger in to discuss very personal information. I believe safety and non-judgment are among the most important aspects of the therapeutic environment. I create a place for clients to ventilate emotions and build coping skills that make daily life more meaningful. Even though it may be difficult to initiate the process of therapy, having someone assist you in making sense of internal confusion can result in insight and clarity that is often very difficult to achieve alone.

Are you feeling disconnected, stressed, stuck, scared, or angry? Are you repeating relationships, patterns, or situations and wishing you could break the cycle? Maybe life feels more frustrating or stressful than usual. Sometimes we aren't sure what causes our distress, but we know we're not reaching our potential for health, happiness, or success. And even if we know what the issue is, change can feel impossible. That's where our team of qualified professionals can help. Our job isn't to judge you or your choices, it's to help you understand the root causes of your issues and work together to create a custom plan for change.

Congratulations on taking the initial steps to address the painful or troubling issue in your life. I find it very important that you take the time to explore the right match for you when choosing a psychotherapist. Ask yourself: Will I be comfortable in sharing painful or personal issues with this therapist over time? Do the area(s) of expertise match with my needs? Will my values and worldviews be respected during the course treatment? I offer a free, no-obligation, initial consultation to discuss issues at hand, and to determine if we are a good fit for each other.

As your provider, my goal is to help you succeed in reaching change, resolution, and growth. I work to customize treatment to your specific needs.

I Specialize in Couples Therapy, so if you're feeling like you’re struggling in your relationship and it’s time to make some changes, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll help you to communicate issues you repeatedly argue about and never get resolved, issues you’ve avoided or have been afraid to discuss, or anything that is important to you. We'll talk about how the stress of these issues and problems have affected both of you individually and as a couple and we'll develop new and more effective ways to reduce conflict and increase empathy, acceptance, respect, and connection.

It takes a great deal of courage to embark on an experience of bettering one’s life. I feel honored to be a part of that process. Clients arrive in therapy for a myriad of different reasons, but most of all, seem to have a very clear goal of bettering their lives. I truly enjoy collaborating with Clients to make this happen, and strive to give my Clients tools to use many years into the future. I work with children, adolescents, adults and couples with a variety of presenting issues, including anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, relationship issues and addiction.

Affordable! A Place for the Uninsured, Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. We pursue therapy for a number of reasons. Maybe we’ve lost someone special to us. Maybe we feel apathetic or anxious, or we’re having feelings of agitation, remorse, and fear. Whatever our reasons might be, we know that the most vital reason we seek therapy is because we want to grow. We’ve imagined something different, and we want to see change within ourselves. Our amazing therapists provide a safe environment that enable our clients to begin the process of soothing and healing. The space created at SDFHC allows for comfort, growth, and support.

Anxiety, depression and associated disorders can decrease our functionality, reduce our everyday joy and fulfillment, increase isolation and decrease motivation to achieve goals. I strongly believe in providing individuals, couples and families with a comfortable and supportive atmosphere to assist in overcoming obstacles of daily life, in which I take an individualized approach for the needs of each client. I assist clients in identifying needs currently met through unhealthy patterns of coping and find alternative coping mechanisms that can increase life fulfillment.

At some point in our lives, we are all challenged by a particular event or ongoing circumstance. Sometimes, the challenge becomes significant enough to impair the way you function. This impairment can show up in your life through anxiety, depression, self-destructive behavior, or another way which diminishes the quality of your life. Whether this has been ongoing for you, or has just begun, my goal is to work with you as a team to rediscover and enhance the coping skills you need to improve your quality of life.