Therapists for Teens in Baldwin Hills, CA

I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with over 12 years of experience treating children, adolescents, young adults and families. My approach to therapy centers on my desire to help clients discover, learn, grow and heal. In order to facilitate meaningful change, I use various evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior therapy. I believe that clients are resourceful and possess a unique set of strengths that will aid them in the therapeutic process.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." (Maya Angelou) I understand that as we experience life we will inevitably encounter obstacles and stressors that challenge us to change. I also believe these moments present opportunities for transformation. I recognize that life transitions and personal experiences can sometimes be overwhelming, however they can also be valuable seasons with the potential to generate "peak and valley" experiences that can alter our life course.

You feel like you carry the weight of the world because you do. Too much work, or not enough. Relationship issues, or none at all. Interaction with family, blended and extended, parenting, you name it. Life is amazing, but at times it can be amazingly hard. Bring it all in. Let's unpack it and see how you can better manage the load.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience in the field. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them get back in balance, feel and act more like themselves, to feel empowered and better able to effectively manage their lives. I help people to feel more in control over their circumstances: their own thoughts and feelings, their relationships, and their responsibilities. My approach to therapy is client and family centered, warm, nonjudgmental, solution-focused, and strength-based.

Are you having relationships challenges? Are you dealing with emotional trauma, stress, college life challenges, marital stressors, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or work-life balance which have become too much? Do you want to heal the root cause of your emotional pain so that you can live a pain-free life? By applying time-tested therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

“We grow through what we have gone through” Let’s be honest, life is tough, especially when trying to maintain a work/life balance and forget all the pain we have experienced in the past. Black men and women have their own unique set of challenges, but one commonality is the societal pressures, the weight of expectations, and the layers of individual and generational traumas that leave us confused, hurt, scared, and seeking answers. Despite these feelings you are experiencing, always remember, you still have the ability to control your own path even when things appear out of control.

Therapy is one of few spaces that is dedicated to you and YOUR experiences. It is a non-judgmental space where you can explore issues that have gotten in the way of living with greater ease and comfort. Only you are the keeper of your truth and your story. I can support you in exploring how to hold difficult feelings in more helpful ways whether they be worry, shame, hurt, or pride. What would it be like to increase your emotional buoyancy as you create a path to healing and deeper self-knowledge? What kind of life might that give you?

As a therapist, my mission is to support and empower my clients in their journey towards overcoming the challenges in their life. I believe in a holistic and compassionate approach, where each person’s unique experiences and strengths are honored. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported. Through a combination of evidence-based therapies and personalized approaches, I work collaboratively with each client to uncover their strengths and build resilience. I believe in the power of a strong therapeutic relationship, fostering trust and understanding.

You’re desperate for some relief. It feels like the pressure of the world is sitting on your shoulders, slowly crushing you under its weight. If it’s not one thing, it’s another; dealing with your toxic ex, being undervalued at work and home, or simply living as a Black man in a systemically racist society. You try so hard to keep it all together, but sometimes you snap at friends and loved ones. You’ve begun to wonder if these troubles stem from past experiences. Your mother did her best, but you saw some terrible things growing up. If only there were some way to make sense of these overwhelming thoughts and emotions, but how?

Whether simple change, or complete transformation, a personal goal of becoming more aware, resolving inner conflict, committing to personal therapy is a significant step in the direction of accomplishing your goal. Therapy with Jamie is a sacred space. A space where your comfort and vulnerability are prioritized to achieve maximum safety to explore thoughts, feelings, actions, and patterns. I am passionate about working in partnership with individuals, families and couples that yearn for improved communication, healthier coping skills, and strengthening personal relationships.

“Imperfection is not our personal problem – it is a natural part of existing.” (Tara Brach). I understand that life can be challenging and has its “faults” but it's simply how we choose to manage it. We might often beat ourselves up for lack of follow-through, discipline, or motivation. As Tara Brach stated, we are humans, and being imperfect is a natural part of life. We might fail to realize that being human means making mistakes. While working closely together, I intend to create a space where you can be unapologetically yourself, and not worry about the “shoulds” in life.

What you went through and your experiences are complex and multidimensional. As a therapist, I always hold my client's experiences with compassion and empathy. Healing is the aim, and it is my commitment to provide the highest quality of attention and care to each individual and couple I work with. I am also consistently expanding my therapy skills to provide the most relevant tools to support my clients. From a theoretical perspective, I primarily utilize a combination of cognitive, relational, and psychodynamic approaches. I am depth-oriented and am always seeking to explore the deeper layers of any experience.

Do you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or isolated? Are you someone who is constantly triggered by the past and has difficulty maintaining relationships? Or maybe you experience crippling anxiety thinking about your future? If this sounds like you, I want to help! I believe everyone deserves to have a safe space, free of judgment, to unpack those self-doubts, insecurities, and feelings that have often been present since childhood, affecting how you show up in the world day to day. As a therapist, I have over 12 years of training and experience helping adolescents and adults with trauma, grief, life transitions, and relationship issues.

My goal is to plant seeds of change in people who are seeking growth and insight. It's often difficult to seek assistance and once the search begins it is often halted if the right connection isn't made between the client and therapist. I am here to provide a safe space where feelings to be processed and perspectives can be explored.