Grief Therapists in 91107

As an older adult, you are facing a new set of challenges. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, a medical condition, caregiver stress, or a change in living arrangements, you’re feeling down and overwhelmed. You’re tired of waking up tired. The stress or sadness feels like it’s taking over. You’re ready to start having some good days. You want to start feeling like yourself again.

People seek therapy with me for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is about something specific like a relationship problem, eating disorder, parenting issue, or many other human dilemmas. At other times it is because of general feelings of depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or dissatisfaction at work or in their relationships. We can talk on the phone to determine what you need and then I will work closely with you to determine the best course of therapy.

As a Clinical Psychologist, I believe that a collaborative therapeutic relationship that incorporates all aspects of the client's life is key. I view therapy as a journey of self-discovery, and personal growth. I view my role as a facilitator of change, and it is my goal to assist client's in becoming their own facilitators of their personal change. I believe my strengths include an ability to build a strong rapport that helps client to feel empowered to meet their desired goals.

Often when faced with pain we seek out quick fixes to give us relief only to have the pain return. I want to help you find lasting relief by understanding where your pain is originating. I help people make sense of unexplainable anxiety, depression, and unwanted behaviors to create the life and relationships they want. I am passionate about helping people become more emotionally, relationally, and spiritually whole through the nurturing environment that is therapy.

Life presents us with many difficulties. When things are unsatisfying or overwhelming, our mind naturally responds with emotional distress that might manifest as anxiety, anger, sadness, helplessness or shame. We often find it hard to navigate these feelings because dealing with the sources can be very intense and complicated, especially when we lack support. I'm here to provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore and express yourself freely. Together, we can navigate your difficult experiences, process any unresolved issues, and work toward a better relationship with yourself.

I specialize working with children (6-10yo), tweens (10-12yo) teens (13-19yo), young adults (19-30yo), and adults (over 30yo). The onset of puberty can trigger underlying depression and anxiety that are difficult to treat and can stay with a person for life. I treat children on the autism spectrum (ASD), the LGBTQIA+ population (particularly transgender and gender fluid youth), and adults and children with PTSD.

In my capacity as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS), Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATC-IV), Certified Anger Management Facilitator (CAMF), trained facilitator in Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) and Professional Consultant/Mediator on the television series "Divorce Court" (5 Seasons), I have acquired an array of therapeutic tools, which I pass along to my clients to help them along their journey of self-discovery, healing and personal growth.

Being human is challenging. Even if things look okay on the outside, we often don't feel so wonderful on the inside. Many of us spend time replaying past events, imagining future events, and worrying about all of the above. If you want to explore the underlying causes of what's bothering you, come into alignment with yourself, and live in harmony with your deepest true values, then you are an excellent candidate for therapy. Therapy does take work, and I'm here to support you and help you stay motivated and curious during your personal path to healing.

Integrating a solutions-oriented approach, behavioral therapy, and empathy, I work with clients to create a challenging yet empowering vortex for change. In my work, one size does not fit all so creating a strong therapeutic alliance is of utmost importance. I aim to walk alongside you in the path towards finding, empowering, and affirming oneself, time and time again.

You're feeling blocked; emotionally or creatively. You're worried about the future and wanting to feel like you again. You are ready to let go of all that no longer serves you so you can freely move forward in your life and live up to your highest potential. Whether this is a solo journey, or includes your partner, you are ready to evolve.

Waking up confused and alone, you don’t understand why you can’t get out of this rut. Everyday tasks like laundry feel wholly overwhelming, and each day you slip deeper into isolation and despair. You no longer have the emotional energy to engage with the essential people in your life – and you have no idea why. Your anxiety is constant, and you feel out of control. Your finger hovers over the “delete” button on the dating app on your phone. It feels pointless anyway. You’re so unhappy with yourself right now you don’t even want to go outside. You want to get yourself together, but you’re not sure where to start.

With over 30 years of pastoral and professional counseling background, I offer an experienced and empathic approach to couples and individuals who are dealing with relational or personal challenges. Common issues that I work with include anxiety, unprocessed family of origin experiences, sexual trauma, addictions, infidelity, spiritual direction, and reconciliation. My intention as a therapist is to listen, to love and to learn my client's life story, with the hope of engaging individuals and couples into the reality of fulfilling futures, transformative change, and authentic, healthy relationships.

Emotions start as experiences in the body. What makes us human are the emotions we experience on a regular basis. It can feel difficult, overwhelming, and unnatural to lean into these emotions and make sense of them all. A young child once shared, “when you dig really deep, you find stuff”. I am here to create a safe space tailored for individuals. My approach is empathetic, collaborative, supportive and non-judgmental. My goal is to offer a safe , therapeutic environment utilizing various components from treatment modalities to begin your journey of healing.

The human spirit has an amazing capacity for resilience, but sometimes it's too hard to access it on your own. When we encounter challenges and problems in relationships, in our workplaces, in our families, we can feel overwhelmed, hopeless, & stuck. It's not uncommon to feel depressed or anxious, or seek out unhealthy ways to function that mask the hurt. It's in situations like these that it takes great strength to reach out and ask for help--to seek someone to come alongside and enter into your experience; help shoulder the burden, and rediscover and connect with that resiliency.

You’re exhausted. Looking at the clock, you see the day is almost over, and your to-do list is longer now than it was this morning. There are simply not enough hours in the day to get everything done. You’re drowning as each new task threatens to drag you under and leave you gasping for air. Just when you’re about to take a moment for yourself, someone asks you for help, and your guilt won’t allow you to say “no.” You haven’t been able to take time for yourself in years. Lately, your existence seems to belong to everyone but you. You don’t even remember the dreams and goals you once had. There must be more to life than this, in you.

I specialize in assisting individuals struggling with unhealthy patterns, offering a safe space to process emotional pain. Our past often influences our present and future, but I empower you to rewrite this narrative, fostering personal growth with new skills. Your comfort and safety in sharing your story are paramount as we identify and understand how past experiences shape thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we'll develop healthier coping mechanisms and effective processing strategies.

I believe that our lives are built on relationships. Be it between parent and child, partner and partner, supervisor and employee, or peer and peer, relationships can be healing and rewarding, but they can also be painful and difficult. We all know the stress and heartache that can come from a relationship in distress and we all know that desperate, painful feeling of wanting relief. Helping people find their way through these difficulties and back to each other is one of the most rewarding and exciting things I do. I specialize in helping families connect and thrive.

The most fascinating and important part of my job as a therapist is how to have a really good conversation. It may sound too simple, but it cuts to the heart of what to expect from therapy. Through good conversation, you experience connection and understanding. When we are understood, difficult feelings change with resulting freedoms to engage life. Trained both as a Marriage and Family therapist and a psychoanalyst, I work with complex relationship issues, divorce and blended families, depression, anxiety, addictions, men's issues, and sexual trauma recovery, and integration of psychology and faith/spirituality.

Therapy is a unique opportunity for exploration and understanding of one's own story, and can facilitate healing and transformation during trying times. In my practice, I work collaboratively with clients to uncover and strengthen their inner wisdom, while teaching them skills needed to maneuver through life's challenges, changes and transitions. I provide a supportive and hope-filled environment that allows for a journey of self-discovery, and helps to foster self-love, self-compassion, and acceptance.