Borderline Personality (BPD) Therapists in San Marino, CA

I have been practicing for over 30 years in the field of mental health and addiction. In individual therapy I utilize a psychodynamic and CBT approach in which work with clients unfold as a mutual, collaborative process occurring in an atmosphere of safety and respect. I view a clients' problem(s) in a framework that places an emphasis on how their past emotional and interpersonal experiences are affecting the way they are today. I believe that a client's unconscious can influence their inner experience (e.g., thoughts and feelings).

The therapeutic relationship is what drives growth and change in my work. I do not pretend to know what is going on with my clients before they tell me or believe that I know more about their experience than they do. Getting to know my clients is the most important part of my job. Through getting to know them, we create an opportunity for the individual to externally process what often has only been expressed in their own mind, creating space for exploration and a conversation. I do not know what is best for my clients, but I do believe that together we can illuminate a path to experiencing all life has to offer.

Life is challenging, and sometimes we need support. If you’re reading this, I invite you to reach out. I specialize and truly enjoy providing LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy & of course welcome people of all sexualities/gender identities. I also see people on reproductive journeys using assisted reproduction. I offer a warm, accepting, and nonjudgmental space. Our work together will invite you to find a way forward, with your soul as guide. We will look at old patterns and critically, I will also provide clinical tools to assist going forward. We do this in a collaborative fashion, where I meet you where you are at.

I am an International Certified Psychoanalyst in private practice with over 25 years of extensive clinical and educational experience with adolescents and adults of different backgrounds and cultures with various concerns. Since opening the doors of my private practice, I have provided patients with a wide range of mental health services. From small-scale circumstances to traumatic experiences - my services are personalized to suit everyone’s needs. My ideal clients want to deepen their connection, improve communication skills, heal emotional wounds, and rediscover the joy of life.

Dr. Wei-Chin Hwang is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of clinical psychology. He has two practice locations, one in Pasadena and one in Claremont, California. In his practice, he provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. Dr. Hwang has over 30 years of education, training, and experience in the field of psychology. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA (ranked #1 in clinical psychology) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He is a professor at Claremont McKenna College (ranked #6 among liberal arts colleges in the U.S.).

Let me help you be as successful in your relationships as you are in other areas of your life. This is one of the greatest challenges we will ever face - to achieve intimacy and have self-understanding. I sincerely believe (and see!) the effectiveness of therapy and I love guiding you from trauma to transformation! I appreciate how hard it may be to seek counseling, and, I greatly respect my clients' willingness to sort through the difficulties in their lives in order to develop better insight and achieve the skills to create long-lasting change.

Currently accepting New Patients. Somatically Informed treatment-Emotion acceptance and regulation. Life can become difficult at times. We need support and we need help navigating through the storms. If you have struggled with anxiety, depression, feel like you're stuck in a rut and want to change from unhelpful patterns of thinking or behavior, you have come to the right place. Perceptions become facts in our minds because we become hard wired due to our experiences; but because of that we can also rewire our minds which is where the hope comes in. Change can happen for you and it is never too late to start again.

Do you struggle to stay present? Do you feel emotionally drained, insecure, or stuck in people-pleasing? Does conflict feel uncomfortable or scary? Do you fall into patterns in relationships, friendships, or career & wish you could break the cycle? Sometimes, it isn't obvious why we do the things we do, but we can sense we're not our most authentic or successful self. And even when we know the cause of our distress, changing our behavior can still be hard. That's where I come in. My job is to listen without judgment, pressure, or bias and help you examine the root causes of your challenges to create the change you want in your life.

Are you feeling stuck? Maybe you feel stuck in the past or present. Maybe it's hard to feel hopeful about the future. It's easy to become trapped in painful memories and negative experiences. A negative experience could be one life changing event or many smaller events that accumulate over time. I specialize in treating people who have experienced trauma. Trauma takes many forms but always takes a toll. Trauma can make you feel overwhelmed, insecure, and hopeless. Trauma can make you forget who you used to be.

Seeking individuals eager to explore their inner worlds, willing to engage in transformative work through diverse psychological practices. Ideal clients are open-minded, ready to delve into emotional, cognitive, and relational growth, and curious about harnessing their strengths for personal development and healing. Whether you're navigating life's challenges, seeking deeper self-understanding, or aspiring for a fulfilling life, our journey together can provide the insight and tools you need.