Photo of Adam Grindlinger, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 90804, CA
Adam Grindlinger
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Long Beach, CA 90804
As a parent, there is nothing that you wouldn't do for your child and their success. However, sometimes the day to day stress and demands of everyday life impact our relationships in a negative way. I have over 15 years experience working directly with children, adolescents, and families struggling with a variety of issues.
As a parent, there is nothing that you wouldn't do for your child and their success. However, sometimes the day to day stress and demands of everyday life impact our relationships in a negative way. I have over 15 years experience working directly with children, adolescents, and families struggling with a variety of issues.
(562) 433-7652 View (562) 433-7652
Photo of Megan Moore, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 90804, CA
Megan Moore
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Signal Hill, CA 90804
My name is Megan Moore. I am a licensed clinical social worker. I received my Master of Social Work from California State University, Fullerton in 2015. I have over 10 years of experience providing social work services in group homes, child welfare agencies, hospital settings, and outpatient mental health clinics. I am passionate about what I do and hope to continue to help others. I specialize in grief, major life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, prenatal/postpartum, Dependency Court issues, and life coaching.
My name is Megan Moore. I am a licensed clinical social worker. I received my Master of Social Work from California State University, Fullerton in 2015. I have over 10 years of experience providing social work services in group homes, child welfare agencies, hospital settings, and outpatient mental health clinics. I am passionate about what I do and hope to continue to help others. I specialize in grief, major life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, prenatal/postpartum, Dependency Court issues, and life coaching.
(323) 395-0072 View (323) 395-0072
Photo of Julie Colfax, Marriage & Family Therapist in 90804, CA
Julie Colfax
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Signal Hill, CA 90804
Hello, I am Julie Pennington (previously Colfax) LMFT. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work with people of all ages, levels of development, abilities, and stages of life. My focus is on you, your goals for yourself, and your family in the therapy space. The majority of the clients I see working to recover from trauma and minimize the impact or development of trauma responses (Acute Stress Disorder or PTSD), dealing with depression (bipolar or unipolar), anxiety, neuro-divergent and differently-abled, wanting to improve emotional management skills or work through substance use and addiction challenges.
Hello, I am Julie Pennington (previously Colfax) LMFT. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work with people of all ages, levels of development, abilities, and stages of life. My focus is on you, your goals for yourself, and your family in the therapy space. The majority of the clients I see working to recover from trauma and minimize the impact or development of trauma responses (Acute Stress Disorder or PTSD), dealing with depression (bipolar or unipolar), anxiety, neuro-divergent and differently-abled, wanting to improve emotional management skills or work through substance use and addiction challenges.
(805) 600-8854 View (805) 600-8854
Photo of LBC Wellness, Marriage & Family Therapist in 90804, CA
LBC Wellness
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Long Beach, CA 90804  (Online Only)
Are you happy? You certainly deserve to be. If your past and/or current life events prevent you from living the life you want, reach out to us today and let's see if we can help. We are a group practice comprised of both licensed clinicians and associates with eclectic backgrounds. We're dedicated to helping the lives of those in our community. We work with adolescents (12+), adults, and those in the LGBT community too, and we work with many different mental health issues. Our style is warm, inviting, collaborative, and judgement free. 100% virtual. We accept medi-cal that's managed by MHN/Healthnet but no other medi-cal plan.
Are you happy? You certainly deserve to be. If your past and/or current life events prevent you from living the life you want, reach out to us today and let's see if we can help. We are a group practice comprised of both licensed clinicians and associates with eclectic backgrounds. We're dedicated to helping the lives of those in our community. We work with adolescents (12+), adults, and those in the LGBT community too, and we work with many different mental health issues. Our style is warm, inviting, collaborative, and judgement free. 100% virtual. We accept medi-cal that's managed by MHN/Healthnet but no other medi-cal plan.
(562) 414-5656 View (562) 414-5656
Photo of OC Teen Center- Adolescent and Teen Mental Health, Psychologist in 90804, CA
OC Teen Center- Adolescent and Teen Mental Health
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Long Beach, CA 90804
Dr. Lauren Armstrong is a highly passionate licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director with a PsyD from Pepperdine University, and has been working with children and adolescents for the past ten years. She is an expert in working with challenging psychological presentations such as trauma, self harm, mood changes, aggression, and other unsafe or maladaptive coping mechanisms. Dr. Lauren always believes in her patients, even when everyone else has stopped believing in them. She never loses hope, and tirelessly works with patients and their families on improving their relationships, coping skills, and positive change.
Dr. Lauren Armstrong is a highly passionate licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director with a PsyD from Pepperdine University, and has been working with children and adolescents for the past ten years. She is an expert in working with challenging psychological presentations such as trauma, self harm, mood changes, aggression, and other unsafe or maladaptive coping mechanisms. Dr. Lauren always believes in her patients, even when everyone else has stopped believing in them. She never loses hope, and tirelessly works with patients and their families on improving their relationships, coping skills, and positive change.
(714) 646-1580 View (714) 646-1580
Photo of Psychological Testing & Evaluations - Dr. Dean, Psychologist in 90804, CA
Psychological Testing & Evaluations - Dr. Dean
Psychologist, PsyD, QME, Author
Verified Verified
Long Beach, CA 90804
I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.
I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.
(949) 461-1089 View (949) 461-1089
Photo of Psychological Testing & Evaluations - Dr. Dean, Psychologist in 90804, CA
Psychological Testing & Evaluations - Dr. Dean
Psychologist, PsyD, QME, Author
Verified Verified
Long Beach, CA 90804
I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.
I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.
(949) 649-8350 View (949) 649-8350
Adoption Therapists

Does my adopted child need therapy?

Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.

When should adoptive parents seek therapy?

Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.

Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?

Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.

What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?

A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.