Therapists in Sierra Madre, CA

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Doctor of Bioethics practicing psychotherapy in Sierra Madre. I am Masters and Doctoral trained in Bioethics at Loyola Chicago and completed an additional Masters in Social Work and psychotherapy training at USC. I am experienced in treating depression and anxiety, grief and loss, those with chronic illness, and working with challenging family systems.

Kathy Scott has a warmth and vitality, which foster a sense of trust and safety, and she has an especially strong ability to connect with and understand her clients. Her training in EMDR and psychoanalytic therapy effectively support her work-- helping heal abuse and trauma of all kinds. Because of her own personal experience, she has compassion and a heart for women who are widowed and experiencing deep losses. As a result, Kathy works well with women in transition, divorce, parenting issues, single-parenting, step-parenting, blended families, "empty nest" difficulties, and parent-caregiver concerns.

Is it hard for you to say no? Is it hard to answer the question “Who am I?” Sometimes it’s so easy to be there for others, and difficult to be there for yourself. If you are in a pattern of empowering others but feeling burned out, you’re not alone and there is hope. There is a way for you to thrive, avoid burnout, and create connections while still being there for yourself. I have seen this transformation happen with my clients, and I would love to talk with you about what is possible.“

Finding the right therapist can be challenging, so I recommend that you call at least three people and talk on the phone to see if you have a good sense of a connection. Noticing how someone listens to you, even in this initial, small way, can save you time and effort in setting up consultations. The art of listening well is the beginning of what can be a life giving experience, so I encourage you to see what treatment can do for you. All my best to you, Leslie Bartolf

Hi my name is Yesenia Montaño, I am a therapist dedicated to supporting adults from all walks of life as they confront and overcome mental health challenges. My practice welcomes individuals grappling with generational cycles, identity, work-life balance, and family dynamics, that often intertwined with cultural/familial norms. I am committed to helping you find balance between your personal values and the various expectations you may face. With a client-centered approach, I strive to empower you to navigate yout unique life complexities with confidence and self-compassion.

I like helping people find contentment and happiness in their lives. I believe it is important to understand one's self and one's personal values and to make choices that are positive and life-affirming. I have had extensive experience working with people having experienced trauma and loss, relationship problems, and who have substance abuse problems. Creative people are also one of my specializations. My training is primarily psycho-dynamic along with cognitive-behavioral orientation. I believe mindfulness, spirituality and forgiveness are ways of helping alter patterns of behavior that can keep us stuck in our lives.

I provide therapeutic interventions with both children and adults who suffer from anxiety, depression, and issues of loss, and grief. I am also trained to assess and treat both children and adults with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, I am able to administer and interpret cognitive and psychological assessment instruments.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in empowering and teaching adolescents, adults and families that recovering from an eating disorder is possible. Additionally, I help individuals and families affected by anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, and other behavioral issues learn how to build on their strengths and to develop new tools and skills needed to improve their relationships and quality of life.

Are you feeling stuck in your relationships, or just wishing that things in your life could be different? I can help you navigate through difficult situations and feel more in control so you can achieve your personal and professional goals. I'll help you find new ways of understanding yourself and learn ways to cope. No matter if your stressors are recent or longstanding, we can work together to improve your situation in order to live a more fulfilling life.

Have you ever doubted yourself as a parent? Wife? Employee? Do you feel nothing you do is "good enough?" The challenges for women in today's "you CAN have it all" society leave many of us feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. If you are feeling insecure or fearful about your relationships, you don't have to go through it alone. Let's talk about how I can help you find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Are you an INDIVIDUAL or COUPLE who's having INTENSE FEELINGS lately? Anxiety, anger, confusion, and being overwhelmed can be caused by normal life changes. Professional support can help when relationship surprises, overwork, parenting, financial challenges, or uncertainty looms.

I support individuals, couples, and families who feel lost and alone, helping them find peace, connection, and joy in life. Together, we'll uncover and address the old messages and beliefs holding you back, so you can understand yourself and others better. I respect and embrace the intersectional cultures each person brings to therapy and the impact this has on their life. If relationships are tough, if you've experienced trauma, if you've been harmed by religion, or if you're grappling with difficult beliefs and behaviors, I'm here to help.

My aim is for you to feel safe in a nonjudgmental therapeutic environment so that you may find insight and personal growth and reach your goals while remaining true to your authentic self. My approach to health is holistic, working with you collaboratively so that you could better understand your inner workings and experiences and effectively set and reach your goals.

I am invested in helping my clients find their strengths among the challenges they may face in life. I consider it a privilege to create and hold space for them to do the work which will allow them to live to their greatest potential. My experience working with individuals, couples and families in a multitude of settings helps me better understand the complexities and uniqueness of individuals. I partner with my clients to create meaningful change in their lives, so that they feel connected and thrive.

Is ongoing daily stress taking its toll at work or home? Does it feel like the most important people in your life can't hear what you want or won't take "no" for an answer? Let's work together to manage stress and take control of emotional reactions and behaviors. When we're angry, hurt, afraid, or nervous we often react in ways that can make an already difficult situation worse. Or, we just freeze and it gets even bigger! It often feels like the more critical the situation, the less effective we are! We can help.

Are you seeking to learn healthier ways to be in relationship than what you learned from your family? Do you need to make sense of your story & heal from trauma? Are you tired of stress driving you, compromising your best self? I enjoy partnering with adult children of emotionally immature parents, along with anyone seeking to develop more satisfying and meaningful relationships with others and/or with yourself. I have worked extensively with parents, children, & couples to create more secure relationships. By exploring your experiences in relationships, we can help you create new relationship possibilities, too.

I specialize in working with couples who find themselves in high stress, high conflict situations and are committed to making their relationship work. I also specialize in working with men who want to be better fathers, husbands, and proud of the direction they are headed in life. I have advanced training in marital therapy, trauma recovery and existential meaning making. I am highly relational, process oriented, and committed to growth.

When you believe you "cannot get there from here," I believe you usually can. Sometimes the stress of life situations blocks your own native creativity and problem solving abilities. Let me assist you to brainstorm and come up with workable solutions to the situation which has caused you to seek therapy.

I am known for working well with individuals who are shy and who may be fearful of entering therapy. I have a specialization in the diagnosis/assessment and treatment of AD/HD and learning disorders such as dyslexia. My therapeutic approach is primarily cognitive behavioral. Pragmatism describes my approach to treatment. Management of chronic mental illness, and adjustment issues relating to ethnic/cultural/generational and religious issues are also areas which I specialize in. I believe that at times addressing questions pertaining to meaning in life can be as important as changing behavioral patterns and emotions.