Motivational Interviewing Therapists in Van Nuys, CA

My name is Kelly Smarkel, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Sacramento, California, and I work with clients statewide via Telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. I utilize Talk Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help clients gain greater insight and understanding to make progress toward their goals and start to feel better. Through my educational background and lived experience, I can relate to many issues that often take the form of anxiety, depression, stress, and feeling lost or hopeless.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR therapist whose passion is for helping clients overcome strong and distressing feelings through understanding the root of these emotions and working through them. I am fully trained in Safety and Attachment- Focused (S.A.F.E) EMDR Therapy and am confident in my abilities to help you navigate and heal from any past trauma, big or small. As a therapist with an additional background as a certified personal trainer, I work with clients who are open and interested in understanding the importance of mind and body health and are motivated for change.

Throughout our lives, we all have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. These emotions leave you feeling insecure, shameful, lonely, unworthy and stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. Trauma can have negative emotional and physical effects and can lead to family/relationship issues. I specialize in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and CBT. These approaches allow me to work with the client to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and other health/behavioral issues.

Hi! My name is Omar de la Cruz, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I have an extensive amount of experiencing working with individuals having difficulties with substance use and mental health. I have worked with children, youth, and adults experiencing difficulties in different areas, such as anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship difficulties, and trauma. My goal is to meet clients where they are at and through my expertise be able to work on the therapeutic goals that individuals have.

Hello, I am Ying Zheng, a California state-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been in this field for a decade, worked in multiple sites such as high school, cross-cultural community center, hospital and church. I would like to see counseling as my passion and life pursuit. I respect everyone’s right to make a decision about faith, but I do approach therapy using Christian perspective and values. In addition, I would borrow techniques from CBT, Motivational Interviewing, client-centered, and psychodynamic.

I believe that everyone can find purpose and solutions to personal and relationship challenges in each season of life through personal self-discoveries. I serve as a partner and guide to aid you in gaining more clarity and understanding in navigating those self-discoveries. I am open, patient, and nonjudgmental, and am coming from a place of compassion and understanding. I strive to create a space that can foster safety to allow your truest and most authentic self to show up and be present. It is important for us to create a space for you to feel your wounds as well as your hopes and dreams.

Hello! My name is Kristen Fragoso, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Southern California, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in depression, anxiety, and complex trauma. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy to help my clients navigate the hardships of day-to-day life. I want my clients to, first and foremost, feel safe and comfortable talking with me about anything. I understand that building a relationship takes time and is the most important task in having successful sessions.

My name is Susan Burns, LCSW, and I have been in the mental health industry for over 24 years. My top specialties include Anxiety, Coping Skills, Relationship Issues, Job Stress, Grief, and Depression. My top modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Coaching, Culturally Sensitive, Strength Based, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. I have worked with individuals ranging from mild behavioral health issues to severely impaired functioning. I am a caring clinician who has positively impacted and healed many lives. I look forward to helping you on your journey of self-discovery and self-awareness.

My name is Norine Campbell. I am a licensed Clinical Forensic Psychologist. My approach to therapy is to develop a trusting therapeutic relationship so that the focus can be on healing in a nonjudgmental and safe space in order to move towards positive change. My focus has been with adolescents and adults dealing with severe mental illness, substance abuse issues, trauma, behavioral issues, anxiety and anger.

Hi, I’m Sierra! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I’m constantly evolving in this field to ensure I provide the most safe and supportive environment for my clients. I have extensive training and experience working with a multitude of diagnoses and life problems, my focus is being a tool to help you along your healing journey. I’ve worked with teens, young and older adults that struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety, mania, trauma, and substance use.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. I have worked with people experiencing opioid addiction and helped those who struggled with substance use and their maladaptive coping strategies. In addition, I have had rich experiences working with older adults for many years. In life’s journey, people face many barriers facing mountains to climb and oceans to cross. I wish to help people to break those barriers and develop healthy coping skills to live a successful life. I'm fluent in Korean. 한국어 상담 가능합니다.

I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to supporting teens, adults, and families through life’s various challenges. I offer a variety of therapeutic practices as I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

I'm Dr. Jeff Riffle, a California Licensed Clinical Psychologist living in Northern California. I help clients all across the state through telehealth. I see both individual adults and couples. Let’s talk. I establish a safe, non-judgmental, and inviting space for us to talk. I’ve been, most often, called warm and supportive by my clients. I’d love the opportunity to create that type of environment for you, as well.

Do you find difficulties with feelings of depression, anxiety, relationship/family problems, and trauma? These emotional disruptions can have a significant impact on our lives. Coping with these events requires various approaches, and I can assist you in recognizing your emotions and identifying possible patterns in your relationships. I can also help you develop resilience and acceptance towards challenging emotions, and support you in setting meaningful goals. I utilize EMDR, CBT, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, & person-centered therapy to reduce anxiety and trauma symptoms, foster resilience, and enhance the quality of life.

Hi and welcome. I was a social worker for 27 years, and have worked in the field of social services for over 31 years. I have experience working with adult survivors of child abuse, child neglect, domestic violence, commercial exploitation, and rape. I have experience working with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, divorce, family separation, and caretaker fatigue. I also have experience working with adults dealing with significant life/career changes, and those dealing with crisis situations. I have a laid-back approach and am here to support the changes you want to make in your life.

Hello there, I am Valerie Lloyd, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I believe in meeting my clients right where they are in their journey. Together, we walk side by side, aiming to enhance your quality of life. I see life as a beautiful journey, and I am committed to guiding individuals by introducing new perspectives and coping mechanisms tailored to their unique experiences. I blend person-centered therapy and solution-focused techniques to create a supportive and empowering space for my clients.

Hi, I am Amanda Johnson, LCSW (101426). I approach therapy from a client centered lens. It's important to me that my client's feel safe, heard, and have input in their treatment. I use a Strength Based approach with a variety of other therapeutic modalities to work with many DSM5 diagnosis. Depression, anxiety, attachment, personality disorder, bipolar, and substance abuse are some of my most worked with disorders. Some of the populations I have served are, families that have encountered the CPS system, domestic violence survivors, teens released from psychiatric care, and pre-teens.

Experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma can be hard to navigate on one’s own. Through the use of integrative modalities, my goal is to help you find your way so that you can manage symptoms, feel your best, discover who you truly are, and move forward in the direction of your dreams whereby your past no longer holds you back. Using warmth and compassion, I also aim to provide trauma-informed care to discuss your struggles without judgment and safely process unresolved trauma and feelings.