Family Therapy in South Pasadena, CA

I believe creating safety within a non-judgmental environment is crucial to begin the journey of self-exploration, recovery and healing. Each person has their own unique set of beliefs, experiences and needs. Working together, we identify the goals and direction of therapy. In my work with individuals and couples I use a feminist, empowerment-focused and collaborative approach. As a guide in my clients' journeys, I help clients face their challenges and find ways to move through them. I know the path can be difficult at times, and I look forward to working with those ready to explore those next steps.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with 20+ years of experience who specializes in helping families cope with divorce. I also treat trauma victims from the perspective of helping them put the trauma within the narrative of their life, and understanding its' impact. It's important to understand the blueprint that is laid down early in our lives, and how we continue to operate consciously and unconsciously off that blueprint. Cultural differences on many levels are very important to understand and address in therapy. I work with children as well as adults.

Something isn't quite right lately! Things feel off and it's time for a change. Whether it's creatively rebooting, overcoming imposter syndrome, feeling more resilient, or navigating a new transition there's a way to change the patterns that aren't working anymore. When stress hits or we feel stuck we tend to revisit coping that doesn't serve us well. We may feel motivated to change, but lost as to the next steps. I work collaboratively with clients who are curious about their struggles and eager to collaboratively problem solve. We work together to uncover the patterns that aren't working anymore and explore solutions.

It is hard to be a human! I provide a compassionate nurturing space for exploring life's inevitable stressors. I come to this work after a decade of teaching yoga and mindfulness practices to people interested in developing presence and a deeper connection to their bodies. In therapy, our trusting relationship becomes foundational for healing. I will deeply listen and offer feedback to your unique experiences, needs and goals. We will collaborate and develop coping strategies that tap into your resilience and grace.

Is it time for you to reach out for support & guidance? I have had the opportunity for over 25 years to assist people towards a better understanding of themselves, their relationships, and critical life experiences. Whether you are facing the complex emotions of a life-threatening medical condition, making difficult end of life decisions, been exposed to violence & abuse, or dealing with grief and loss, I will support and empower you to develop a plan to move forward. My focus is on rebuilding your self-esteem & safety after traumatic experiences, allowing you to grow and find personal peace of mind.

The human spirit has an amazing capacity for resilience, but sometimes it's too hard to access it on your own. When we encounter challenges and problems in relationships, in our workplaces, in our families, we can feel overwhelmed, hopeless, & stuck. It's not uncommon to feel depressed or anxious, or seek out unhealthy ways to function that mask the hurt. It's in situations like these that it takes great strength to reach out and ask for help--to seek someone to come alongside and enter into your experience; help shoulder the burden, and rediscover and connect with that resiliency.

Hi, welcome! Perhaps you have been struggling with the ability to connect with life fully. You may feel bogged down by overwhelming feelings, the difficulties in your relationships, and the demands to keep up in life. You work hard to support others in your life and sometimes it can feel difficult to tend to your needs in the process. I'm here to help. I help folks who struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, relationship difficulties and burnout. Together we will slow down and take time to better understand the thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that can make it difficult to experience calm and connection with yourself and others.

I provide individual adult therapy and work with high functioning adults from all walks of life, who have come to realize they want to make positive change in their lives. I believe the core of the work is in developing a real relationship that is built on trust, as well as genuine and authentic moments of understanding that can help push people towards the change they are looking for.

Are you going through a divorce, or perhaps you're not sure of the direction of your marriage or relationship? Do you have co-parenting challenges? Are you looking for someone to listen, have empathy and genuinely care about your situation? I specialize in working with women going through a separation or divorce, those who have experienced trauma with their intimate partner or witnessed it in their childhood, are experiencing PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Life is difficult. A dramatic life event, a body ravaged by addiction or illness, a symptom that defies an easy cure, a trauma that never quite allows life to move forward, or an emptiness that cannot be filled in the outer world may have forced you to go inward, searching for what is lost. It takes courage to reach out for help. I have been counseling people for over 30 years, and during our work together you will have the opportunity to touch into places where old wounds and new potential reside.

My approach is psychodynamic to help clients gain insight into their issues and concerns. I collaborate with clients to help recognize unhelpful thought, emotional and behaviors patterns and defense mechanisms and develop healthier ways to cope. I will provide a safe space for you to share your story, concerns, issues, hopes and dreams. I will meet you where you are and help you identify what you want to address. Then, I will collaborate with you to set concrete, measurable goals and action plans that you can track as you move toward your goals.

My intention is to help clients experience healthy, fulfilling relationships with themselves and the people in their lives. I work to gain your trust & be your ally as you take on life's challenges. Our therapeutic collaboration is filled with empathy & compassion. Our work together will have respect, gentleness & consideration as you search for the meaningful, integrated life you deserve. It's your process, whether you're struggling to find your way back to the life you enjoy, or discovering a life you want to live. I work with individuals, couples, and families.

I'm a trauma-informed therapist specializing in mood disorders, somatic challenges, and relational distress. Also, I work with those who identify as neurodivergent, with specialized training in ASD and High Sensitivity. Overwhelm is our current cultural standard of functioning. It's hard to slow down, but emotional, and perhaps, physical pain suggest something needs to shift. Work with me to process trauma, and treat the anxiety, depression, and relationships that have you in painful patterns. Honor your capacity to grow and change. Clarify how you want to engage life and others. Recognize your well-being as a worthy goal.

Deciding to come into treatment is never an easy decision even when it feels necessary. I work from a psychoanalytic-psychotherapy approach meaning I'm most interested in what your experience is. What that means is that through careful listening and dialogue, I'll work with you to better identify and understand what may be behind painful symptoms like lack of impulse control, binge eating, depression that's so heavy you can't get out of bed, or the terrible grief that comes from losing a loved one.

Do you ever freak out about freaking out? Struggle with intrusive, troubling thoughts and/or unwanted behaviors? Do you experience persistent worry, panic, or impaired performance as a result of anxiety? Maybe you are having difficulty processing events/experiences from your past, or would like to gain a better understanding of who you are and why you feel the things you do? Know that you are not alone, there is hope for relief, and I can help. Together, we will explore your distress, gain an understanding of the good reasons why you feel the way you do, and take committed action to achieving your desired goals.

It’s natural to feel anxious or isolated during unsure times, and I am working hard to meet to meet the needs of my clients through remote telehealth sessions. I am accepting new clients, so please reach out. My video or call sessions are personal and easy to access. Therapy is both an art and a science, and I am well versed in both. I am also kind, empathetic and fun! I am skilled at several therapeutic modalities including: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (a unique method of healing trauma, anxiety, depression, addictions, etc.), Art Therapy, Action-Oriented Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy and more.

Have you felt misdiagnosed and misunderstood? Have you ever wanted clarification on your diagnosis? Sometimes psychological/neuropsychological evaluation can help to elucidate your psychiatric problems and provide illuminating recommendations toward recovery. An objective assessment looking at your whole being and context can be your next step. I do provide therapy services but specialize in neuropsychological/psychological evaluations.

Psychotherapy is a pathway to understanding, insight and change. In my work, I focus on helping my patients to develop a greater ability to reflect on oneself, that is, "connect the dots", and a greater ability to feel and to act in the world. I believe that an understanding of a persons's relationships with others, both historically and currently, is central to the process of change. I strive to develop this understanding collaboratively in an atmosphere of openness, safety, honesty and curiosity.

I believe that psychotherapy is a collaborative process, which occurs in a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. My work with individuals is psychodynamic and insight-oriented, based on the idea that our sense of self is organized around the primary love relationships of early life, and that "mapping" these emotional experiences allows more freedom from self defeating behaviors and promotes the development of new choices. Integration and and processing early relationships can help one move towards a more conscious life in which you accept your past and are able to move towards a future of your own making.