Marriage Counseling Therapists in Costa Mesa, CA

I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in neuropsychological evaluation, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. I obtained my PhD Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University and completed my fellowship at UCLA, pre-doctoral internship at Vanderbilt University, and Bachelor's degree from USC. I also received clinical training at the West Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and the Loma Linda University Behavioral Health Institute.

All of us have problems during various seasons of our lives and could benefit from some additional assistance. Most people who enter counseling are well-functioning, competent individuals who are seeking help with difficult problems in their everyday life. Relationship conflicts, job stress, financial worries, emotional concerns, and family difficulties are common in our complicated, fast-paced world. Sometimes just trying to balance all of the demands in our lives can be too much to handle and leave us feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, frustrated, or lonely.

Our clinicians at Cognitive Therapy Orange County (CTOC) enjoy working with individuals from early to late adulthood, couples and families to improve their quality of life. Whether the problems are short or long term, there is always reason for optimism and hope. Solutions can be found and new skills can be learned. We are extensively trained and experienced in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychosis, and anger. We are consistently impressed with our patients' dedication to making positive changes in their lives.

Life can be challenging, and sometimes we can feel inadequate in dealing with life struggles that come our way. Sometimes we feel like we've tried everything, but for some reason we still feel stuck despite our best efforts. Although there are times in our lives when we feel great, there are also times in our lives when we feel hopeless, anxious, depressed, or even lost. Sometimes, we can pinpoint why we feel this way, and other times, these feelings seem to just come upon us for no apparent reason. Both can make life incredibly difficult.

Hello! I'm a licensed therapist practicing in Costa Mesa, CA, who enjoys working with clients from diverse backgrounds and with a range of challenges, such as depression, anxiety, self/family acceptance, relationship conflicts, and trauma. If you are feeling stuck and wanting to change, therapy is an option worth exploring. Let me help you improve your emotional well being, enhance your ability to engage in relationships, and empower you with the tools necessary to restore balance in your life.

I am dedicated to looking at the whole person to identify thematic issues that manifest themselves in different emotional, relational, or behavior patterns that take away from the richness or fullness of life. I focus on the root of the problem to promote lasting change, growth and healing. In treating the whole person, I address issues related to nutrition, sleep, exercise, and brain functioning as well as the more typical personality, family, and social concerns. You can count on more than just talk.

As an LMFT, I have been practicing for over 18-years and traditionally from a psychodynamic approach, however, I have transitioned to a multifaceted approach -incorporating traditional therapy with EMDR, Somatic experiencing, Performance Psychology, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy (HCH). This integrated approach is a deeper process of psychotherapy and is achieved through a relaxed state of consciousness which embraces the concept of self-determination and the belief that every client contains, deep within their own subconscious mind, the key to their own individual health and healing.

Are you feeling unhappy, stuck, or overwhelmed? Are you struggling with relationship issues, work stress, or challenges with family members? Are you or your loved ones struggling with addiction? Together, we can explore your current behaviors and beliefs and begin to unpack how your experiences from the past may be impeding your ability to live peacefully and purposefully in the present.

Life can be hard, and that doesn't mean you're weak, it means you're human. If your struggle is with identity, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, managing emotions, addiction or other compulsivity, I am here to help. I want to help you not just manage your life, but love your life. I specialize in working with the LGBTQ Community, with men, recovery from narcissistic abuse, addictions and recovery from trauma. I want to help you integrate the various parts of your life and develop a mindful approach to your life. I work with adults, and adolescents, couples and families seeking healing.

I believe that people experience their own unique perspectives and ways of dealing with problems that can affect their day-to-day lives in significant ways. Not everyone might understand how hard it can be to move through life with added challenges that result from difficult life circumstancesI prefer to utilize an active approach to therapy; I want to help you reach your goals by understanding the factors that may contribute to you feeling overwhelmed and, at times, helpless.

Journeys Counseling provides professional psychotherapy, vibrant living coaching, and spiritual direction to the community. Our work is interdenominational, serving clients from many different backgrounds, including those who have little or no religious affiliation. As a Christian organization we believe counseling should address the whole person and be respectful of people’s faith. Individual’s beliefs are both an important part of their lives and a valuable resource when experiencing distress. Counseling should assist in developing those resources further. Often, people lack support systems that help deal with personal problems.

As a queer, second-generation, Asian-American, I believe that kindness and compassion are my natural orientation and I position myself accordingly as a therapist. I believe that we're all inherently enough no matter what we’ve learned from our childhood, what society has told us we are capable of, or who we think we should be to have self-worth and fulfilling relationships. I believe we're all capable of unlearning and learning, and giving ourselves the grace to do so. My clients typically struggle with depression, anxiety, life transitions, relational conflict, intimacy and trust, and childhood and intergenerational trauma.

It is my belief that therapy is a partnership, and if you're ready for help, together we can make strides in achieving your goals. Real and enduring change requires fresh thinking and different approaches to your old problems. I'm an eclectic therapist, meaning I use different tools from multiple treatment modalities to fit your unique circumstances and needs. My ultimate goal is to work in partnership with you to build the skills you need to achieve your objectives for yourself or for your family, and to help you make new and better choices.

My focus in working alongside you is to help you understand who you are today and, more importantly, who you would like to become. I know how difficult it can be to connect and invite someone new into your life, but my goal is to provide you with a sanctuary from the pain and help you uncover the answers you have been searching for. Often, life can leave you feeling alone, afraid, or at a loss with how to move on. Maybe you feel like if people really knew you, you would be left out in the cold. Perhaps you’re being shamed for who you are and what you need already. While you might struggle to believe it right now, things can change.

Currently accepting new clients! Whether you struggle with moderate/severe anxiety, depression, unbalanced relationships or boundaries, chronic illness or burnout- I may be able to help! Many (but not all) of my clients are: women or non-binary folks between the ages of 16-60 & part of the LGBTQ+ community • Identify as BIPOC, Latinx, or multiracial • Work in highly stressful positions (including entrepreneurs) and struggle with chronic burnout • Have experienced significant traumas and/or abuse. My couples' therapy clients often love each other immensely, but struggle with healthy communication, trust, and/or intimacy issues.

My primary goal as a therapist is to foster a safe, supportive, accepting and also challenging space that encourages personal growth and healing for each of my clients. To achieve this, I use an integrative treatment approach, grounded in psychodynamic and interpersonal theories, that encourages mindful self-reflection on internal experiences, authentic expression of affect and a benign curiosity about our personal experiences. My experience and training have made me comfortable working with a range of mental health concerns and a diversity of cultural backgrounds.

As an Associate Clinical Social Worker, I work with adults and families struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction. Anxiety, depression and traumatic experiences can make us feel stuck in an unrelenting mental loop. Not only can traumatic experiences create anxiety and depression- but left untreated, trauma can manifest in different parts of the body.

I have worked in various aspects of the counseling field for over 30 years and I consider it an honor to have done so. My clients have come from various circumstances, with a variety of different issues and problems facing them. I like to use the therapy approach that seems to best fit the particular client, with respect and consideration for their individual differences.

Are you discouraged, losing hope, simply feeling stuck? Maybe you are at a pivotal place and need help in changing perspective to discover new options in how you can approach relationships with others and yourself, as well as life in general. Learn how to cultivate hope by challenging destructive belief systems. Discover creative approaches to life's challenges that can assist in managing anxiety, reduce depression and increase your overall sense of well being. I can assist in identifying the obstacles to growth . It is possible to rethink your goals, establish new dreams and adjust your expectations to greater satisfaction.