Adults Therapists in Agoura, CA

Have you ever feel trapped with no way out? Imagine using your distress as a way to gain a new perspective. Sometimes the problems we encounter lead us to a better understanding of ourselves and our potential. Therapy opens our eyes to alternative options and helps us view our circumstances from a different vantage point. As a psychologist and marriage and family therapist, I have enjoyed helping clients work through difficult situations for over 30 years. My expertise in mood disorders is especially useful in identifying and managing depression and anxiety. I also specialize in understanding and resolving relationship issues.

Is your teenager feeling anxious or sad, grieving a loss, having problems in school or using drugs? Are you having trouble talking to your child about the changes they are going through? Your teenager experiences many stressors which can lead to various issues that impact your entire family and these stressors can be explored in therapy to give your family the relief you are searching for. Your teenager needs a safe place to express his/her feelings and learn healthier ways to cope with struggles to help him/her go on to lead a healthy life.

I am Cheri McDonald Ph.D., LMFT, PATP, a creative visionary with a passion for healing individuals, families, and communities. Drawing from my 35-year private psychotherapy practice at A Place To Turn, I've cultivated wisdom and knowledge that form the foundation of my Holistic Integral Training (HIT). This modality leads to profound, long-lasting healing in the mind, body, and spirit. I stand as a holistic leader and mentor in the mental health realm. With the transformation of the world today and the increasing need to provide healing for the most complex times, I have founded Alternative Place 2 Turn, LLC..

I believe each of us is unique. Therefore, in my practice as a licensed clinical psychologist my initial goal is to get to know you so we can, in collaboration, find the best strategies to help you live your life in the way that is most satisfying to you. As a cognitive behavior therapist, it is my goal to be the guide, along with you, to reach your goals by looking at any maladaptive habits, thoughts, or behaviors you have developed that brought you in to therapy.

Welcome and congratulations on taking this step! My role in our work together would be to support you in reaching your life goals, help you know your true self and live your most joyous and authentic life. My approach is warm, active, solution- focused and goal- directed. I not only provide support and a listening ear, but also strategies and recommendations that create a clear path to desired change. Whether you want to feel better, deepen enjoyment of life and relationships, discover purpose and spiritual connection or design and live the life you envision, my therapeutic approach is a direct means to work towards such change.

Seeking out help from a clinician is always the hardest step to take and finding the right clinician for you makes that step easier. I believe we all have the power to find the tools within ourselves to guide us toward a happy and fulfilling life, and I love to help my clients take their first steps toward their goals. I work with my clients from a Humanistic Approach. Your personal worth, your value, creativity, and ability to overcome hardship, pain, and crisis in your life, is the center and most important aspect of my work.

In today's world being a woman can be joyful, beautiful and also incredibly overwhelming! Life transitions, career decisions, moving, infertility, pregnancy, parenting, changing body and personal identity, juggling work and family responsibilities may lead us to feeling anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, lost or stuck. The changes and challenges are non-stop and can be too much at times. Finding a therapist that can provide a caring and safe space to open up is essential to growth and healing.

Are you looking to find more peace, connection, and balance as a parent, partner, and individual? Are you tired of the constant power struggles with your child? I can help you learn techniques that allow you resolve conflicts where both parties walk away feeling complete, help you become more mindful, and increase your self-awareness. If you are seeking to move away from traditional ways of parenting, improve your own emotional health, and build upon your strengths, I offer a safe space to support you on your journey. My integrative therapeutic techniques are tailored to your specific life experiences.

The stress, anxiety, and stuckness are overwhelming at times. This isn’t where you thought you’d be at this point in life. Watching others who seem to have it together, and doing the comparison game isn’t helping. It’s scary, and seriously disappointing. How can you get unstuck when it’s so hard to trust yourself to make the right decisions?

As a trauma therapist, I understand your yearning for confidence, clarity, and purpose amid past trauma's shadows. The weight of defeat and overwhelming emotions may hinder your path to the life you desire. Yet, that life is closer than you think. My aim is to guide you in finding clarity, restoring hope, and cultivating the confidence to pursue your dreams. Together, we can initiate transformative change, addressing core issues, nurturing resilience, and fostering self-worth for a life of strength and optimism.

When life presents us with challenges that are difficult to overcome on our own, the help of a trusted mental health professional can make all the difference. Have you or a loved one been struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, or chronic stress? Do you have concerns about your relationship, parenting, or an obstacle your child or family is facing? You don't have to face these experiences alone. Whether you're seeking therapy for yourself, couples counseling, or help for your child, teen, or family, I'm here to support you on your journey toward healing, self-discovery, and wellness

Are you thinking about starting therapy for the first time? Have you had treatment in the past but think it’s time to dive deeper or explore new challenges that have come up? I recognize that coming to therapy can feel daunting. It is my hope to make you feel comfortable and safe in our work together. My clients typically come see me because they are struggling with anxiety, depression and/or complex family dynamics. They often want to have meaningful relationships, learn to cope in new ways, and understand how their past has impacted their lives.

Choosing a therapist can be overwhelming and confusing. It's hard to know who to choose when there are so many therapists out there. I can help answer questions you have about therapy, and help you find what you're looking for. Therapy works when there's a connection between you and the therapist, you feel understood, not judged, and safe. It's important to find someone you are comfortable with and has experience with your particular concern. I can help point you in the right direction.