Helping People Find Therapists & Advocating for Ethical and Healthy Therapy & Marriage Counseling Practices

My Approach to Helping

I practice integrative psychotherapy combining psychodynamic psychotherapy with hypnosis, energy work and meditation. I believe that people of any age and challenge have an inherent ability to heal, dream and achieve goals with a therapist who offers information, guidance and incisive treatment. It is important to custom design treatment to the individual rather than fit the client into the therapist's orientation. I believe strongly in mind-body recovery and that active motivation and collaboration is key. Due to my years of experience and strong passion for therapy, I am very aware of its potential and limitations. Regular client feedback as to how the client feels therapy is going is an integral part of the treatment process.

 

More Info About My Practice

I offer a 30-minute free consultation after which, if we decide to proceed with therapy, fees depend on insurance information and organization membership. I am currently a Medicare and Blue Shield California provider. I would be considered an out-of-network provider on certain insurance panels and this would necessitate preauthorization with the particular panel. I also offer smoking cessation and weight reduction hypnotherapy time-limited packages. I offer a sliding scale and special discounts to members of NAMI, MHA, to veterans and the disabled.

 

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I am particularly adept at issues of boundaries arising between couples, in families, with self and others and how a failure to address boundaries can result in undue stress and difficulty in relationships. I like to work with spiritually-driven issues; that is, 'who am I really,' 'what is [really]important to me [and not someone else],' what do I want to do before I die.' Most of us weren't taught to conduct our lives in these terms but I feel that without this awareness, we are not living full throttle. People are better than they are able to give themselves credit for most of the time.

 

Had a Negative Therapy Experience?

I believe that a good therapy experience rests in a couple of factors, the first being that the client is 'known' in terms of his or her issues AND strengths. Often strengths are overlooked by the immediacy of the presenting situation. I, like many therapists these days, are loathe to 'blame the victim' but I take this a step further by believing in them and that they inherently can access what is best for them and what their goals are. This requires some digging. I think therapy can be a negative experience when the therapist is not willing or able to do this work to fully work with this complicated uncovering, venting and healing process. The other factor is trust, not just by the client in the therapist, but trust that creates a sense of safety, comfort and ease in the office (or phone). Trust also consists in my belief in what I am doing which my clients attest to.

 

Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed

I strongly believe that going to therapy does not mean that a person is weak or flawed but is actually the opposite. It takes strength of character to look into oneself and see a problem. In our ego-driven lives, it is not encouraged to admit to weakness or that one needs help; however, everyone has weaknesses and needs help at times, otherwise we would not be human. In my experience it is the people who don't think they need help or don't ask for it are the ones that sometimes need it the most. People who admit to weakness or need and go for help are more likely to come to know and value themselves. Once one values oneself, one can truly value others.

Services I Provide

• Individual Therapy & Counseling
• Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Consultation
• Online Counseling / Phone Therapy

Ages I Work With

• Teens
• Adults
• Elders

Languages I Speak

• English

Groups I Work With

Adolescents with academic, discipline, substance abuse, family and relationship challenges, trauma survivors, those in recovery from substance abuse, mental health issues.

Therapy Approaches I Use

• Body-Mind Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy /REBT
• Emotional Freedom Technique
• Holistic Psychotherapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Integration of different therapy models
• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
• Other - Not Listed Here
• Psychodynamic

Concerns & Issues I Help With

• Abuse: Emotional, Physical, or Sexual
• Trauma
• Occupational & Academic Issues
• Life Changes
• Health & Body
• Anxiety, Fear, & Stress
• Depression & Mood
• Childhood & Adolescence
• Relationships & Marriage
• Emotion Management
• Social Skills & Problems
• Self-Esteem & Confidence
• Identity Issues
• Spirituality
• Self-Harm & Suicide