Relational Therapists in Pasadena, CA

Jessica Richards, MS, MSW, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in providing therapeutic services to young children and families. She is endorsed in CA as an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. Jessica uses relationship and brain-based modalities for comprehensive treatment. Jessica has been trained in Child-Parent psychotherapy, a relationship and play-based therapy with a strong evidence-based foundation for the treatment of trauma and family stressors. Additionally, Jessica uses the Neurorelational Framework (Lillas, 2009) for an integrated approach. Her specialized Dual-Masters education provides an advanced foundation in applied child development.

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Seeking more from your relationships? Or perhaps you've experienced a recent loss or disruption and are unsure how to cope? Psychotherapy can be a valuable resource. The success of therapy hinges on the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist, so I encourage you to take your time finding the right match. If you need relief from painful and confusing emotions, or if you want to deepen your self-understanding and strengthen your connections with others, I am here to help.

Are there problems in your relationship that have been eating away at you? Your relationship did not start out like this. Do you still remember when your relationship brought you happiness, when you enjoyed being around the other person? Over time, problems build up and relationships change. Don't let this drag on any longer, let me help you. I know how to help couples stop fighting, to re-build trust and love for each other, bringing back the sense of intimacy, support, and happiness.

I enjoy working with children from toddlers to teens on a variety of issues, ranging from anxiety, depression, trauma, emotion regulation, and relationship issues, etc. I also want to support you in the challenges of parenting. Together we can work to find an approach that fits you and your child. I am trained in systemic therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness. Therapy can nurture healthy growth and development in your life and relationships. The goal is to help you create healthy bonds and coping skills that bring you joy and help during difficult times. Life can be complex - take a step towards comfort and change!

We all feel lost from time to time, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been through my own therapy as a young adult when I was stuck in a bout of anxiety and panic attacks due to childhood trauma. Throughout my years of working with traumatized individuals, I learned first-hand about how childhood trauma can have a strong impact on adulthood. I can help you address unresolved trauma, in order for you to find passion, connection, and purpose in your life.

You are here for that sense of belonging & connection, especially when multiple global crises have left communities hopeless, and in a constant state of vigilance. While some anxiety/depression is a normal response to the hyper-violence we are facing as a collective (on screens or in reality), it can feel extremely overwhelming to experience this every day, on top of expectations from work, family, and other relationships. As a child of the Lao Isaan/Southeast Asian diaspora, my passion is working with fellow children of refugee/immigrant diasporas to feel seen + heard + validated through an anti-oppressive framework.

Mental health challenges are due to the aftereffects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can place a strain on your family, work, relationships, and even cause issues with self-worth. I specialize in trauma therapy along with treating personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and addiction. All these disorders can look different from person to person, and that is where our therapeutic journey of empowerment and self-exploration begins. I concentrate on creating a safe space of growth and self-discovery through unconditional positive regard, emotional regulation, and guided activities.

I'm so glad you're here. I want to share some hopeful news with you: The way you are feeling right now is temporary. Perhaps you’ve been feeling stuck, stressed, unable to cope with life’s challenges, operating on auto-pilot, missing your sense of purpose, or struggling in your relationships. In these seasons, it can seem like life is just passing you by, while you miss out on moments of joy and connection. Just being here on your search for a therapist is a sign that you’re ready for a healthy and refreshing change in your life. Your desire to feel better is proof that it is possible.

Hi. I am so glad you are here. I hope you will find what you are looking for. Therapy is an art form that allows for tailored interventions addressing your concerns. While we all have the tools for a fulfilling life, we may experience feelings of being stuck, overwhelmed, helpless or trapped in an unhealthy world. This does not need to be your life! As a therapist, I will help you illuminate your path, gain self-understanding, and refocus your energy to build harmony.

I don't know what brings you, but I know that it can take a lot of courage to reach out for support. Therapy is a powerful statement to yourself that you, your relationship and your family matters. The heart of my work revolves around assisting you in the journey of your choosing. Often I am supporting people who are interested in uncovering and unlearning painful negative beliefs about themselves. So often we have internalized a harmful message early in life -I'm bad. I'm not good enough. My needs don't matter. Together we can process the events that led to those beliefs and find the self-love and compassion to heal.

Sometimes when life throws us a curve ball, or when we are dealing with a more chronic, ongoing challenge, talking to a therapist can help us see our inner strengths and abilities which can help us successfully navigate through these challenging times. Talking to a therapist can also help us push ourselves to reach even greater personal goals.

I have had the joy of working with individuals for over 18 years who find themselves struggling with problems related to work/life balance, stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues as well as questions related to life’s purpose. I have had the opportunity to work with those in the creative industry in Los Angeles to those in the high demand tech community of Silicon Valley. I have seen first hand the impact of stress, loneliness, worry and depression. My goal is to support an individual in feeling better with strategies that can be implemented outside of therapy.

My goal from our first interaction to our last is to give you a safe space to feel heard and validated. A space to laugh, cry, and feel all the feels in between. I promise to work myself out of a job, giving you all the tools to empower you to fire me when you do not need therapy anymore. But until that day, I promise to be on your team.

Do you somehow feel like you just don't fit into your life? People I work with often feel like misfits, even though - from the outside - they may appear to be doing just fine. I help people see through their trances of unworthiness, shame, distrust, and inferiority. These trances often stem from identifying with outdated stories from the past; stories that often have deep roots in the mind, heart, body, and spirit, which take time to unearth and unravel. I offer a safe, sacred space where these stories and early traumas - that are showing up today as persistent "problems"- can be explored, understood, and ultimately released.

Now accepting new clients for telehealth or outdoor sessions. "Ultimately it is the quality of our relationships that will determine the quality of our lives" - Esther Perel. Our relationships are everything. When our connections with each are not what we hope for, it is natural to feel unsteady in the world or even sad or anxious. We often get in our own way from finding and maintaining our deepest connections with those we love. Looking to our past can give us clues to our future and how to "live our best lives" (I think Oprah coined that one!). I offer telehealth sessions as well as outdoor sessions in a local park TBD.

I have had the privilege of working with adults and couples for over 37 years, helping with a wide range of issues including: depression, anxiety, self esteem, relationships, stress, ageing, family of origin issues, cross cultural issues, identity, grief/loss and mild addictions.

Are you looking for ways to help your family m or yourself find zest and build strength for facing life's challenges? Is your family challenged by stress during COVID-19? I and the Institute therapy team work with children, teens, young women, families and gender-expansive youth to build resilience during challenging times like these. Individual, family, and group therapy are provided with fee and payment options to meet varied needs. As CEO and founder, I offer consultation and training to educators, medical and mental health professionals. Our website is full of resources to support social and emotional growth for our times.

Are you dealing memory concerns as you age? Experiencing anxiety about the possibility that memory problems could lead to dementia? Do you want to have a clearer picture of what the memory issues mean and to be provided with specific helpful suggestions in a non-judgmental and caring environment. My style is relaxed but engaging in order to make each assessment or therapy session a meaningful experience. I bring to each meeting a perspective that is shaped not only by my education and training but also by a wide variety of experiences over seven decades of life.

Sometimes, as much as we try, it’s hard to make the changes we need to improve the quality of our life. If you’re struggling with the effects of trauma, excessive worry, depression or bipolar disorder, low self-esteem, relationship issues, or having trouble navigating the stress of life and want to make some changes, I am here to help.