Humanistic Therapists in Newport Coast, CA

My name is Laura York and I am an LCSW and have over 20 years of counseling/psychotherapy trained experience. In my practice, eclectic methods of treatment are used to fit the individual's needs. Some of these practices include cognitive behavioral techniques, humanistic and solution focused therapies and life skills coaching. My treatment focus includes behavioral issues such as anxiety and depression, crisis management, trauma and PTSD, development of coping skills, parenting and other relational issues. My most important goal is to create a trusting relationship with my clients and help guide them to an optimum quality of living

Life is so hard. There are no manuals for life right now. Maybe you have no idea what to do, where to go, and how to get through. You are not alone. Therapy can be a place to find rest, support, encouragement, and direction.

I treat psychological difficulties with a compassionate, yet results-oriented approach. When someone suffers from a medical disorder, a comprehensive assessment of the problem is required in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. If the diagnosis is incorrect, treatment will repeatedly fail. As a diagnostician, my focus is to treat people, many of whom had been non-responsive to previous psychological / medical treatment, in this same way. Only with a correct diagnosis will treatment be effective. Once determined, goals discussed, a treatment plan in place, the therapy begins. With time and work, individuals grow to experience enhanced emotional health along with interpersonal and professional contentment.

I specialize in helping and guiding seasoned executives better manage chronic stress so they can avoid burnout, due to their grueling schedules and unrelenting corporate pressures. Together, we'll unveil and alter destructive thought patterns and flawed coping mechanisms (i.e. like substance abuse & alcohol). Therapy can also empower you to master your anxieties. Unshakable success on the surface may sometimes conceal self-esteem struggles and impostor syndrome, which we can overcome. My expertise aids in rebuilding confidence, while acknowledging past impact. Through therapy you'll find constructive outlets to reset and thrive.

I TREAT AFFAIRS- I invite you to pause and pay close attention to your inner voice. You have managed to avoid your concerns yet know at some level you are not satisfied. Do you sense your partner is cheating? Are you? Does your relationship lack intimacy and passion and feel alone when together? Sexual problems? Can't stop compulsive shopping or cybersex behavior? Emotionally exhausted from pointless dating? Lonely and disconnected? Missing"Hygge" in your home? When you look in the mirror are you dissatisfied? Life racing by leaving you feeling old and defeated? Longing to age gracefully? Can't sleep? Feeling bored professionally?

After more than 30 years as an educator, minister, counselor, and consultant; I realized that the one thing I am most passionate about is working one-on-one with others – watching them discover clarity, restoration, hope, and passion. This is the single endeavor where I get to bring all that I am to all that I do. A former tenured professor of clinical and organizational psychology at Vanguard University, I taught graduate courses such as Psychosocial Stressors and Mental Health; Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality; Career Development; Behavior and Psychology in Organizations. I still teach at Concordia University.

Therapy is a transformational process. If you are having a difficult time, you are going to need help navigating the struggles in your life. Two of the most common reasons that people come to therapy are they LACK BALANCE in their lives and have NOT BEEN HONEST with themselves. I can certainly empathize with clients who are anxious about or even fear change. Ambivalence regarding change is a common human struggle. However, if you are truly committed to eliminating your current distress, I would love to help in your journey toward a more fulfilling and rewarding life.

Is your relationship in distress? Have you experienced a life change, diagnosis or a cut-off from a loved one, friend or complete community? Are you numb or stuck as if in quicksand and can't seem to focus or move forward? Are you perhaps angry and feel as if you have been robbed of the future you had planned for yourself or your family? I'd like to help.

Welcome, I am a Holistic and Behavioral Medicine Psychologist who has trained at world renowned institutions. My purpose is to assist you toward attaining self empowerment, optimal fulfillment and happiness. I have developed expertise in various areas of psychological, emotional, and health concerns. My primary approach is to help you live authentically to your purpose and manifest your highest goals aligned with your values and vision. I use an optimistic lens to view your concerns and integrate the biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors to understand and remedy your concerns.

Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed and are not sure why? Have you been having relationship problems? Reaching out for help shows just how much strength you have. We will work together to identify and leverage your strengths to become calmer and less anxious, more motivated and less depressed. You can expect to develop practical coping skills that you can apply in your everyday life for better relationships and better functioning so that you can thrive. Relationships are our greatest resource yet can also be the source of our greatest challenges. We will work together to restore and enhance your relationships.

Like the seasons, our feelings and perspectives transition. Perhaps you find yourself in a transitional season and are dissatisfied with life, relationships, or feeling disconnected from the things you find most meaningful. Left unaddressed, unhealthy habits may ensue along with harrowing stress that interferes with your daily life.

Life challenges affect everyone, whether you are a stay-at-home parent, working professional, or college student. Most of us are trying to manage our relationships, family, work, and self-care. These competing demands can undoubtedly be stressful. Whether you’re choosing your next career move, navigating a breakup, or deciding to have a baby, therapy can help with any change or transition you are experiencing. My clients often come to me with busy schedules, valuing the benefits of self-exploration and depth-oriented work. They know there's room for personal growth, and they seek a seasoned psychologist ready to support them.

I work primarily with adults struggling with self-esteem and unresolved trauma. Common issues may present as people-pleasing, codependency, over-working, poor boundaries, social anxiety, isolation, dissociation & negative self-talk. My approach assists clients in gaining education, learning new skills & gaining deeper self-understanding. Whether your goal is to improve confidence, reduce anxiety & depression symptoms, or live a more fulfilling life, together as a team we can work towards not only reducing symptoms, but addressing the root cause of core issues so that you can live with more peace and contentment within yourself.

THE Motherload: what I call the mental load of motherhood. This is what is consuming your thoughts day and night. You are the person responsible for keeping your family’s lives together. There is a never-ending to do list that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and burnt-out. You want to be the happy, engaged parent but often feel irritated and angry. There's no time for self-care and “me time” is going to the bathroom without a kid hanging onto your leg. You are struggling to find any joy in parenthood and yearn for a break. On top of it all you feel like a failure for not being able to handle it all and guilty for feeling this way.

I specialize in helping FAMILIES open up the communication, discuss difficult topics safely and openly, ensure all family members are heard and held, process deeper hurts and pains to release them and connect to each other more truly. I help COUPLES face the resistances that block their connections, assist with parenting, and develop ways of interacting that promote togetherness and intimacy. I help TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS cope and conquer the developmental, relational, social, and emotional pressures by exploring their inner dialogue, validating their concerns, recognizing their resilience thus developing self confidence.

As a clinician I try to have an open mind and open heart for understanding my clients. I believe therapy is collaborative work, and I enjoy helping my clients live life to their fullest potential.

Megan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in working with all eating disorders, body image struggles, depression and anxiety disorders, trauma, chemical dependency, LGBTQ concerns, domestic violence, and identity/self-esteem struggles. She enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and adolescents. She has worked at various levels of care—from residential to outpatient treatment. In session, Megan has a warm, caring, non-judgmental, explorative, and honest approach. She utilizes CBT, DBT, ACT and various other evidence-based practices, tailoring each intervention to suit your unique needs.