Therapists in Mission Viejo, CA

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.

I am an Attachment based therapist well versed with severe levels of trauma, anxiety and depression due to family systems, addiction, adoption or other struggles. I have over 20 years experience as a dancer and dance studio owner from which I draw upon for a creative, integrative approach in therapy and fresh approach to understanding my clients. I am also fortunate enough to work collaborately with another therapist and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners to provide wraparound services for clients all in our beautiful office space. I believe in exploring all avenues and taking innovative approaches in therapy to aid the client in healing and personal growth.

Finding a therapist at a time when your whole world is falling apart, is one more difficult task to add to the many tasks required of you. Well, you aren't alone! Couples & family counseling is one of my many focuses. Premarital and marriage counseling can be very effective in starting and saving relationships. I also focus on stress, fears, and anxiety that might be causing unexplained aches and pains in your body, frustrating you and others around you. I am well versed on issues of Chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, Fibromyalgia, Infertility, Postpartum, Menopause, Thyroid and many life events affecting healthy relationships.

Life sometimes throws us a curve ball. Daily life struggles and stress that we have normally handled with relative ease can suddenly seem overwhelming. Too much stress and the inability to handle it properly can begin to undermine our potential to enjoy our work and to care for ourselves and others. Finances, parenting, relationships, school, care taking, health concerns, and loss can be stressful aspects of life. When we begin to internalize these external stressors it can lead to depression, anxiety, anger, addiction, poor health, phsysical/emotional exhaustion and relationship problems.

I provide several types of psychological, employment-related, psychoeducational, developmental, and neuropsychological evaluations. State-of-the-art methods including TOVA and interactive iPad-based tests for efficient and accurate services. I am insurance-contracted and work with diverse populations and testing purposes. If you are recommended, requested, or ordered to undergo assessment, please reach out. You will receive a high-quality, scientifically informed evaluation, with a comprehensive report, feedback, and recommendations. I am a practicing clinical and professorial member of the International Neuropsychological Society.

We are here to help you heal! Are you needing some help navigating your life journey? We are here to walk alongside you while you heal. You are not what has happened to you. Your trauma and pain does not define you. Sometimes in order to separate from our story we must tell our story, understand it, and truly be heard and acknowledged. As your therapy team we will help you to navigate your own healing journey. Whether you have experienced trauma, are struggling with lack of purpose, feeling empty or alone, or experiencing feeling fragmented or broken. You are not alone and healing is possible! In office, outdoors or with horses.

I strongly believe that therapy should be a safe place where anyone can come and talk about their life without judgment or shame. It is a place where everyone can benefit from unconditional empathy, understanding, and grace. I am an outgoing person who is easy to talk to, and I do my best to make the therapeutic process as smooth and understandable as possible. We will go at your pace and create a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs and goals. I strive to help you become self sustaining where you can gain a sense of understanding of what skills you need, why you are utilizing them, and when to utilize the skills learned.