Therapists in South Pasadena, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with two office locations in both South Pasadena and Los Angeles. I use Cognitive/Behavioral therapy to directly address issues you may be dealing with such as Depression, Anxiety, Anger,GLBT issues, Creative Blocks,Relationship problems,Life Transitions to name a few. I believe change begins with awareness and an understanding of how your thoughts effect your feelings and behavior.

I have been practicing as a psychotherapist for 30 years. My main area of focus is working with families and children. Initially in my career, I worked with children in residential treatment settings, who were struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral issues. During the past 20 years I have worked primarily in the field of high conflict divorce. I deal with all aspects of divorce, including mediating custody agreements, comprehensive child custody evaluations, resolving co-parenting conflicts and helping children cope with the stress of parental conflict. I also work with families dealing with blended family issues.

You're a smart, sensitive soul who knows how to get shit DONE. People can count on you because you're the responsible, reliable "giver" who makes sure others' wants and needs are met. On the outside, it seems like you've got it all together. But your mind is often a maelstrom of worry and turmoil, anticipating worst-case scenarios and disaster. Your inner critic whispers (or shouts!) in your ear: "Maybe you're just not good enough...you're failing...you're a fraud." Your outer success is a double-edged sword, rewarding you with the external validation that makes you feel worthy but keeps you on the approval-seeking hamster wheel.

My specialties are relationship issues and loss and grief. I have been in practice for over 18 years. I mainly see clients virtually and find it has been just as powerful and proactive as in person. Many clients like the convenience of being able to be in three different locations. In couples therapy, I will help you and your partner identify the conflict issues within your relationship. Couples therapy involves learning how to communicate more effectively, and how to listen more closely. In couples therapy I am proactive and direct helping the couple gain awareness of their "disconnect" by pointing out observed behaviors.

Licensed School Psychologist in the state of Florida (SS1434) Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of California (PSY29371)

Life is complicated, and often very difficult. My goal is to help you deal with that. Relationships are so important to us, yet they’re the hardest thing we do. Sometimes the people that love us most, hurt us most.

I practice a unique combination of counseling and hypnotherapy. My therapy is based on the notion that every person has the potential to be complete, happy and fulfilled. My goal is to help my clients realize this potential. In our therapy work we explore emotional, mental and personal levels: Emotional (reprocessing fears, traumas; old patterns); Mental (learning new behaviors, emotional skills); Personal (setting goals/purpose; building confidence, trust). My clients have an active role in their healing process. During the sessions I introduce new tools and strategies. In between the sessions clients apply and practice them.

Does your life feel out of sync with who you are? Would you like to feel more content? Let's explore together with curiosity and an eye towards developing a life that fits better. Would you like more harmony in your relationships? We can start to understand what challenges you encounter and how to work through them. You may be living with ideas about yourself that aren't necessarily "true", but based on stories you've been told and internalized from a young age. It is possible to learn about yourself and what you want, and by doing so you can live more honestly, make choices, and not react from a place that feels outdated.

I know what it’s like to struggle, to be unsure of yourself and your relationships, to feel stuck. I believe therapy is an act of courage and hope, and I applaud anyone considering this form of healing. My goal is to help you learn how to better help yourself, and I’ve been humbled by the strength I’ve seen in my clients. In our work, I'll position myself as a relational therapist, meaning we'll use our relationship to better understand how you view yourself and others, and we’ll collaborate to modify any beliefs, patterns of behavior, or ways of relating that get in the way of you living more of the life you want.

I became a certified hypnotherapist after my bout with stage 3 non-hodgkins lymphoma. I was told I'd never be cancer free and am now coming up on 10 years of remission. I practiced hypnosis and other healing modalities to help me through my cancer journey. I believe in what I do and the power we all hold within ourselves to make the necessary changes in creating a healthier, happier, more fulfilling lifestyle. I enjoy working with clients, empowering them to create a new self-confidence and peace in their lives they might otherwise never see possible.

Starting therapy is difficult and scary; however, you do not have to do it yourself. I understand it is also vulnerable to share your stories with a stranger. Therapy is a space where you can feel safe being yourself. With sincerity, I strive to build that safe environment for you and work collaboratively to find yourself. I want to empower you to understand your thoughts and feelings. Working through your negative behavioral and thought patterns, we will identify how these currently affect your life. I will help you find solutions within yourself that you feel comfortable practicing and sustaining, using your natural strengths.

Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming - I put together a blog post on my website that includes recommendations and a checklist for how to know if a therapist is right for you. Feel free to use it even if we don't work together! I specialize in working with late 20s-30-40 year olds working through relationship issues, personal identity, and transitional life changes. I also welcome clients who are seeking therapy for the first time.

I have a passion for helping people transform their lives. I enjoy working with BIPOC, LGBTQIA2s+, Neuro-Divergent,2E,Hsp's & Couples. I work with people who are anxious, overthinkers,empaths, depressed, neuro diverse, adoptees, and creatives. I help people who struggle with setting boundaries, emotional regulation, relationship conflicts, and putting their needs first. I work with people going through life transitions, & are tired of being stuck and misunderstood by themselves and others. I help people understand how their behavior is connected to their thoughts, feelings, past experiences, mood & actions. I use brainspotting.

Sometimes it is difficult to ask for help. Recognizing that you may need support with relationships, or a deeper understanding of yourself is the first step on the road to recovery and the beginning of the healing process. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I offer empathic listening in a safe environment, as well as the support, guidance and feedback that will give you the tools to discover and address the root of the problem in order to create long-term change and personal growth.

We do not become who we are in a vacuum, but instead develop in relation to our family, culture, and context. We may not be responsible for the experiences that shape us, but we can take responsibility for how they impact us moving forward. Pursuing therapy is an important step towards developing an understanding of and appreciation for your past while putting yourself in the driver's seat for how you move forward. I work with people from a variety of backgrounds and enjoy helping clients increase their confidence and self-awareness to achieve greater fulfillment in life.

As a Clinical Psychologist, I believe that a collaborative therapeutic relationship that incorporates all aspects of the client's life is key. I view therapy as a journey of self-discovery, and personal growth. I view my role as a facilitator of change, and it is my goal to assist client's in becoming their own facilitators of their personal change. I believe my strengths include an ability to build a strong rapport that helps client to feel empowered to meet their desired goals.

When it is overwhelming to be faced with life's many challenges, having an experienced and compassionate ally on your side can help you get through the tough times and also begin a process of growth and discovery. Seeking psychotherapy is a courageous step to create meaningful and lasting change. Dealing with the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one can leave you feeling paralyzed; Uncertainty about how to face into the fears about career, school, and relationships can leave you feeling stuck; Occasionally one may just wake up feeling depressed, anxious or in physical pain.

There can be multiple reasons that bring someone in for a psychotherapy consultation. When a distinct problem occurs (marital separation, depression, a difficult parenting challenge, anxiety over one's relationships, self-destructive thoughts or behaviors, etc.), or, when one becomes aware of more amorphous and global issues in one's life (lack of growth, a pattern of isolation, lack of pleasure, etc.), it is useful to talk to someone with lots of clinical experience to begin to sort out and make sense of what is going on externally as well as internally. Careful listening to your particular situation is the first important step.

As the Founder and Clinical Director of Oakwood Family Treatment Centers, I have been treating adolescents, young adults and their families for over 30 years as a psychotherapist, clinical director and consultant in both outpatient and residential programs. I treat such disorders as anxiety, trauma, family conflict, drug, alcohol and behavioral addictions, co-dependency, depression, ADHD, self-harming behaviors, and self esteem issues.