Testing and Evaluation Therapists in Palos Verdes Estates, CA

As a psychologist, I allow the space for individuals to gain insight and growth in their lives that help them reach their goals and aspirations. We all encounter challenges, whether it be someone suffering from anxiety and depression, a family who just found out their child has a medical issue, a child with fears, or a teen who has been bullied. During these unfortunate times what is needed is someone to connect with and help you out of this dark cave of distress. One of my greatest strengths has been the ability to connect with others and reveal the ways through this emotional distress.

Are you ready for a change? I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with an office in Torrance, CA across from the Del Amo Mall. I believe in everyone's ability to live a better life through healing and change in a sportive, caring environment designed to attend personal needs. I provide individual and family therapy to address the many struggles and life issues we all face. My practice includes psychological testing (IQ, SSI, PTSD, Personality, Education, Development, Autism/ADHD diagnosis). I strive to meet every client where they are and tailor specific treatment to facilitate growth and happiness through positive change.

With 32 years of working with individuals and families, I specialize in helping people make changes/progress with depression, anxiety, marital discord, parenting, and other life challenges. As a therapist, I take a nonjudgemental approach in helping people take control of their lives. Some things to ask yourself: Are you dealing with anxiety, depression, or another life challenge? Does your child/adolescent need assistance in expressing feelings? Does your child/adolescent push the limits? Have you and your spouse grown apart? Becoming stronger as an individual/family and strengthening boundaries and roles are my number one goals.

I truly value my connection with people, making every effort to understand their needs. As a clinical psychologist, practicing in the South Bay for the past 20+ years, my focus has included comprehensive neuropsychological assessments of children and adults, as well as individual therapy using expressive arts and cognitive behavioral interventions. Whether it is in the context of an evaluation, consultation, or individual therapy, my goal in working together is to discover new ways of overcoming challenges and to bring about a more balanced, mindful way of living.

With over 20 years of clinical experience, I work with individuals, couples and families struggling with a variety of issues at all stages of development. Stress, anxiety, depression, and grief can be difficult to manage for anyone, and can be exacerbated by life circumstances. Relationship issues and family stressors can also be precipitants for increased difficulties for individuals. Personalities and abilities differ-from athletes to artists- having unique needs. Parents dealing with children with ADHD, twice gifted, learning disorders, or autism face very specific interactional challenges, impacting all areas of their life.

There is nothing more important to a parent than seeing their child succeed at school, make and keep friends, be happy, and achieve to their own capabilities. Our team at Attention, Learning, and Developmental Services have these simple goals: understand your child's unique profile within the context of their family and community, highlight their talents and strengths, identify any specific barriers to their success, and develop an effective intervention plan to support your child's current and future progress.

We are an organization of mental health professionals with a common goal of providing excellent and expert services in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego counties. We are committed to providing the highest level of professional expertise and human compassion for issues and concerns that arise in the course of our lives. Crossroads Institute offers psychotherapy services for all ages, psychiatry, clinical, educational, and neuropsychological assessment, and brain training services, including qEEG based Neurofeedback and Biofeedback services.

Reproductive Psychology: What is your reproductive story? Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Are you pregnant now? Have you recently given birth? Have you experienced reproductive trauma? All of these are stages in a process that is filled with a unique set of psychological and emotional challenges. In addition to my full clinical practice, I have helped many clients-and their partners-develop effective strategies for this challenging and winding path. Call or email and let's get started. Areas of focus: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, postpartum depression, stress management, emotional regulation, partner/family issues.

My approach to therapy is to make clients feel safe and understood while challenging thoughts or habits that might be unhelpful. Although I tailor my treatment to meet the goals and needs of my clients, I implement a mix of evidence-based techniques. These include cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, and interpersonal process therapies. Using these techniques assists in learning more about yourself and identifying the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. I can also teach useful skills to help improve coping and manage challenging situations. I welcome people of all races, sexual orientations, and gender.

I specialize in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders. Do you have repetitive bothersome thoughts? Do physical symptoms of anxiety have you concerned? Are you limiting yourself in other ways? Doing nothing? Doing the same thing over and over? Panic attacks? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Social Anxiety? Depressed/isolating? Are you simply experiencing a difficult life transition, or is this more than that? Feel like you are stuck in a rut? Feel like the treatments you have tried so far haven't helped much? Relax...you've just now located someone who can help. Email me with any questions or to schedule a first session.

Finding a psychotherapist you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with can seem like a great challenge. As you search, it is helpful to be mindful of what is bringing you to therapy and what you are wanting from a therapist. When you find someone you think you may be able to bond with, you can talk with them about what you are looking for and if you don't know, ask them how they envision working with you. As a psychologist with over 30 years of experience, I believe that meeting the client where they are is the key to creating a safe and supportive environment conducive to change.

Some Adults, Teens and Children in our community face issues of stress, fear of underachieving, depression, body-image concerns, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia or over-eating), relationship traumas (affairs, divorce, abuse, child custody battles), addictions. Other adults face unsettling retirement, empty nest syndrome, elder care concerns, serious illnesses, definite anxiety and feelings of meaninglessness. Couples become estranged: lacking in communication, connection and emotional or sexual intimacy. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage, Family & Child Therapist and Counselor for over 30 years, Dr. Carol Francis uses multiple researched tools helping individuals, couples, and families create satisfaction and well-being.

Are you having trouble with difficult people in your life? Do you feel as if there are issues at work, school or home that are spiraling out of control? At some point in life, most of us face obstacles that can keep us from achieving success in our personal, academic, or professional lives. Regardless of where these issues originate, Dr. Edwards can help you find and use your strengths to cope with your particular life challenges.

Relationships between husbands, wives, lovers, boy/girl friends, children or parents can be tricky. Happy, satisfying and fulfilling relationships require attention, energy, fun, humor, communication, time and investment of yourself. Too often relationships are hampered by misunderstandings, hurtful actions, stress, differences of opinions, unmet needs, and different expectations. Personality changes over time, affairs of the heart, infidelity, unmet sexual intimacy, abuse, cruel words, neglect, self-centeredness, different communication styles, different goals, values and dissimilar interests or fun activities also create unhappiness in relationships. Dr. Carol Francis has worked with relationships satisfaction for 32 years. 310-543-1824 or RelationshipSatisfactionNow.com and drcarolfrancis.com pathstosuccesses.com