My Approach to Helping
Experience has taught me the best thing you can do to help yourself is take action. Action creates momentum, which leads to more action, which creates real change. Step one is to figure out what action is needed to produce the outcome you seek. I can help you learn to recognize and modify the patterns, beliefs, and behaviors holding you back, preventing you from taking the best action for you. I will work collaboratively with you to help you develop the tools, resources, and motivation you need to move forwards. Together, we will help you create the life you want.
Here's one of my favorite metaphors: If you don't plant anything, nothing will grow. If you plant but do not water, nothing will grow. Metaphorically speaking, my job is to help you figure out what (and how) to plant, and how to care for the garden that is your life. With consistent effort, empathy, self-care, and compassion, you can grow all the wonderful, fulfilling things you wish for. I'd love to help.
More Info About My Practice
* Online sessions available for clients located anywhere in California
* I work with individual adults 21+
* Vocal LGBTQ ally
* I specialize in helping with depression, anxiety, self esteem, adjustment, relationships, and stage of life disorders
* Lifetime member of the EITF (Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder), now managed by GoodTherapy.org
* CAMFT member since 2014
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
These are the issues I work with the most: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-advocacy, life changes, relationship issues, stage-of-life issues, stress, career changes, loneliness, divorce recovery, and finding a path that makes you happy (you deserve it). I do this work because I genuinely love helping people build the self-esteem needed to take control of their lives. A lot of the work I do involves helping people differentiate from their families of origin, or move on from being stuck in the past--or in a present rut. I am a firm believer in taking action: the only way to change anything is to do things differently.
I work with people in the motion picture industry and many other fields. I myself have worked in a variety of capacities in the business world, including: information technology, project management, business and systems analysis, and marketing. I know what it is like to deal with big responsibilities, deadlines, overload, pressure, terrible bosses, workplace bullies, RIFs, etc. I have been there. I can help you learn to manage the stress and find a healthy work-life balance.
Film and television: I work with people from many areas of the motion picture industry: creative, crew, executives, production, writers, editors, art dept., etc. I understand the demands a career in the industry places on you. I can help you find healthy ways to manage the stress, figure out what self-care looks like in your world, and make the most of your precious free time so you can lead a happy, healthy life.
My Role as a Therapist
My role as a therapist is to be in your corner, helping you address the issues which brought you here today. I can help you figure out why you may be "stuck", and help you identify resources and strategies to get you unstuck. We will work together to help you make the changes necessary to create the life you really want. I can help you chart your path, set goals, and identify specific actions to take to get you moving in the right direction.
My Therapy Focus
First and foremost, my "therapy focus" is on helping you achieve the goals we establish for you.
I am a Collaborative, Solution-Focused, Narrative, and Family Systems therapist. I studied postmodern methodologies as areas of professional concentration in graduate school. I have also studied Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Positive Psychology. I utilize methods and interventions from each as needed.
There are a LOT of theoretical models of psychotherapy out there, and trying to figure out which one is best for you can be very confusing. There is no best answer for everyone. These are the methods I primarily employ, largely because they empower my clients to become their own agents of change.
Being primarily post-modern in my approach to therapy, I let you steer the therapeutic process in the directions you most need it to go. Collaboratively, we help you grow by taking the following into account: your personal narrative, resilient traits, ability to adapt, access to internal and external resources, experiences within your family of origin, and how your past experiences have shaped your beliefs and patterns of behavior.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
Research indicates the most important factor contributing to success in therapy is the relationship you build with your therapist. To determine if we may be a good fit, I offer a free phone consultation (usually about 15-20 minutes) to discuss your needs and get acquainted. If we seem like a good fit, we can schedule a session and take it from there. It is easy to get started: just give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to speaking with you and discovering how I can help.
Please note Change Within Reach, Inc. and Matthew McLean Family Therapy, Inc. are not affiliated in any way.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.
