Therapists in Westlake Village, CA

Is your child experiencing problems at school, difficulty making or keeping friends, tantrums, constant worrying or nightmares? I have a passion for working with children and families, and I'm here to help. There is so much pressure today to be a "perfect" parent, and admitting that you need support can be difficult. My goal is to create a safe space for you and your child to work together to problem-solve and get through challenging times.

I specialize in clients who have lost direction or focus and whose personal challenges, including depression, trauma and low self image, have pushed them “off course”. I assist my clients in identifying the aspects of their lives that present obstacles and partner with them to develop strategies to overcome them. Our collaboration allows the client to redirect his/her path and move forward with an increased confidence and renewed spirit.

For over 30 years, I've helped adults, couples, children, and parents move past hurdles that got in the way of having better lives and stronger, more loving relationships. My clients are often successful, with lives that look good and in many ways, are good. But so often underneath are feelings of unworthiness, perfectionism, chronic stress, ineffectiveness, loneliness, and a need to please. We'll get to know you and your needs; understand early experiences that drive many of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and take advantage of your brain's natural ability to "rewire" itself as you move toward change.

EVENING APPTS. I chose a PhD in Clinical Psychology in order to help individuals suffering with the emotional pain and upheaval that life's ups and downs can bring. I enjoy a close working relationship and collaborative trust based connection with my patients, which brings the reward of personal growth and stimulates the healing process. With more than 28 years in the mental health profession, and 25+ years in private practice, I continue working to expand my education and experience to include a wide variety of psychotherapeutical skill sets.

Trusting and developing our capacities to navigate and effect even the most painful, stressful and overwhelming experiences, is key to overall health, well-being and growth. Understanding our early development and how it touches our present, defining boundaries; internally with thoughts, feelings and expectations, and externally with others, feeling secure in relationships, and being mindful and effective in communicating and reacting, are valuable ways of managing emotional and mental health issues and enhancing peace, trust, healing and growth. I work successfully with clients to develop these traits and states of being.

Imagination is deeply incorporated into my practice, working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples from a creative and empathic perspective. Connection, depth, creativity and personal evolution are the goals for all sessions, rooted in belief that the techniques we use in therapy are only as powerful as the relationships we build.

My focus is on deepening my patients' understanding of their own behaviors, improving their communication and coping skills, increasing confidence and self-image, and moving toward a healthier and more satisfying level of functioning. I am fluent in both English and Farsi.

After a history and intake is completed clients would be involved in a self assessment which would be broken down into weekly goals and treatment. If probation or court is mandated we can completed the number of hours as indicated. If consultation is a Voluntary basis "completion" is based on feedback of the individual.

"I want to get you excited about who you are, what you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now.......V.Satir". Conflict and inner turmoil can be overwhelming, making you feel confused, scared, and unable to move. After understanding and exploring your thoughts/feelings, I can best help you make decisions and take action. With support, encouragement, and in a comfortable environment, you can work through your conflict/issues and get what you want for yourself.

Therapy is learning to use yourself as source for truth. It is my honor to be able to support and guide my clients through this process. I hold the perception that we are all creative beings who are artists of our own lives. I believe that every individual has a unique blueprint and a unique way of living. When we paint with the colors that ignite our truest essence, we become tuned and we attract what is in alignment with us. Yet to do so, we must know and understand ourselves. It is in this impactful space where we can find tremendous healing, growth and elevation.

Are you Autistic or ADHD? I support self-identified and professionally assessed neurodivergent teens and adults. My clients need help with executive functioning, anxiety, and letting go of shame and self-doubt. I am a neurodivergent-affirming psychologist and emphasize building a loving relationship with one's self. Many of my clients have dealt with a history of invalidation, a lack of proper support, or are seeking specialized help. Often I see neurodivergent folks who have seen previous providers that have been unable to help them find wellness.

At A Place to Turn, we understand that your journey to well-being is unique, and our approach to holistic healing is tailored to meet your individual needs. Our ideal client is someone seeking not just relief from symptoms but a comprehensive transformation that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Their goal is beyond symptom relief but a profound sense of balance, purpose, and vitality. Our clients desire a holistic approach seeking the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. A Place to Turn becomes the refuge where their needs for deep healing, personal growth, and a renewed sense of purpose converge.

I am Cheri McDonald Ph.D., LMFT, PATP, a creative visionary with a passion for healing individuals, families, and communities. Drawing from my 35-year private psychotherapy practice at A Place To Turn, I've cultivated wisdom and knowledge that form the foundation of my Holistic Integral Training (HIT). This modality leads to profound, long-lasting healing in the mind, body, and spirit. I stand as a holistic leader and mentor in the mental health realm. With the transformation of the world today and the increasing need to provide healing for the most complex times, I have founded Alternative Place 2 Turn, LLC..

Are you experiencing relationship issues with your partner or family members? I’m passionate about helping people have healthier relationships within themselves and with others. I work with couples and families who are stuck in conflict, seeking better communication, healing from past wounds, bridging cultural gaps, or adjusting to life transitions. I also provide individual therapy to support those affected by relational issues. We can work on managing anxiety, processing trauma, overcoming people-pleasing habits, improving emotional regulation, working through codependency, and embarking on a journey of healing and well-being.

Do you feel as though your anxiety and depression are unmanageable? How about feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness like you’ve hit rock bottom and are struggling to find hope for tomorrow? Once we start to unravel the details of our past and trauma we give ourselves the ability to process feelings that we have long suppressed. I aim to collaborate with you and provide tools to decrease the challenging feelings you are currently facing and achieve a more integrated and balanced sense of self, leading to emotional healing and personal growth.

Whether you are looking for a therapist because of recent difficulties or challenges that started years ago, you will find that I offer a rare combination of rigorous training with a down-to-earth style to help you achieve your goals. As an established professor and author in the field, I am well-versed in the latest research to ensure your problems are resolved as efficiently as possible using the most effective methods available. If you have had difficulty connecting with past therapists or are concerned that I might act like therapists in the movies, I believe you will find my style refreshingly more relatable.

Whether you're struggling with anxiety or depression, or feel you've hit a wall to progress, these states can create stress and disconnection, making personal fulfillment in career and relationships challenging. As we understand that physical exercise builds and strengthens our physical endurance, psychotherapy is a process of building and strengthening the mind's capacity to endure and respond. The therapeutic process is rooted in connection, transparency, and authenticity. I work from a collaborative and mindfulness approach to help guide my clients in understanding the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and actions to effect change.

Have you been feeling heightened levels of stress, sadness, or general dissatisfaction with your life? Are you engaging in unhealthy patterns of behavior, abusing substances, or staying in unhappy relationships out of complacency or fear? I work with individuals, couples, and families experiencing emotional and relational issues, including separation and divorce, codependency, addiction, panic, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief & loss, and women's health issues. Together, we will work to identify and understand the issues at hand, reduce your distress, and help you live a life that feels more productive and fulfilling.

Hi, I'm Alison Ross, certified eating disorder specialist and licensed psychotherapist. Having recovered from disordered eating and body image myself, I am passionate about helping my clients heal their relationship with food and their bodies.