Services: Individual, Couples, Family psychotherapy including.
EMDR and Trauma. In addition to in-person sessions I can consult and do sessions via secure Telemedicine/video sessions (when therapeutically appropriate).
For all appointments and questions please call: 805-619-0950
For Video / Telehealth: Please click the button below to make an appointment with me using Telehealth
EMDR and Trauma. In addition to in-person sessions I can consult and do sessions via secure Telemedicine/video sessions (when therapeutically appropriate).
For all appointments and questions please call: 805-619-0950
For Video / Telehealth: Please click the button below to make an appointment with me using Telehealth
Marriage and Family Therapy: I love working with families! Family therapy is a specific model of mental health practice that is recognized as one of the five core mental health disciplines by the Federal Government. MFT's are licensed in every state and recognized by most major insurance companies. For more information about Family Therapy go to The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
My training looks to the family and other relationships as sources of potential healing. It is not, however, necessary to have any or all family members present for healing to occur. Marriage and Family Therapy is a way of viewing the unique resources each person has, addressing their challenges, then working together toward a path of using the power of relationships toward growth and optimal wellness.
Child Therapy/Play Therapy: I no longer am able to work with young children but this section remains in order to assist folks in finding appropriate professionals for their children or teens. I have worked with very young children through the teen years throughout all of my professional carer. I do believe that only highly trained specialists with the proper equipment work and understand children and teens. The play therapy room is specially designed to provide a safe space for children, adolescents, and their families to honor the very special way children deal and process their world. This playroom is specially designed with children of all ages in mind. Toys, art, games and other activities allow for the expression of thought and emotions. When I work with children, I need to make use of as many caring people in that child's life as possible, so parents and other caregivers may be part of a treatment team. The legal guardians are, of course, always first asked to provide approval.
The Association for Play Therapy (APT). The APT is an organization whose mission statement is: "...to advance the psychosocial development and mental health of all people through play and play therapy, by promoting
1) the understanding and the valuing of play and play therapy,
2) the effective practice of play therapy through training, research, and support,
3) the recognition, incorporation, and preservation of diversity in play and play therapy
4) the development and maintenance of a strong professional organization to accomplish these objectives"
Teens/adolescent Therapy: The teen years are a time of tremendous physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Because so much is going on this can also be a time of great challenges for any young person as well as their family.
Sometimes having someone who is not part of the family to hear and really listen to what is going on can help tremendously. Of course maintaining a teen’s privacy or confidentiality is of utmost importance if trust is to be established and the limits and boundaries to this must be clearly outlined for parents as well as the teen if a strong therapeutic relationship is to be established.
Sometimes parents of teens also need some guidance through this challenging time. Often teens and parents need someone who is not part of the family to help sort things out.
Couples’ Therapy: Relationships are as rewarding as they are challenging! And it is a myth that a happy or healthy relationship has no problems. Being part of an intimate relationship takes work, lots and lots of work…and it's well worth it!
Like everything in life there are special tools that can help make a good relationship better or help get a troubled one back on track. Sometimes a specially trained person who is not part of the couple or family can observe with different eyes and then recommend tools to make the key changes necessary for growth.
Eating Disorders: Treatment of any eating disorder requires specialized training as well as a team of professionals. A treatment team may include a family physician, psychiatrist, nutritionist, individual/couple and/or family therapist, and more. An initial assessment by an eating disorders certified specialist may be recommended. I co-authored, with my daughter, a book about eating disorders. The Anorexia, Diaries: Triumph of a Mother and Daughter Over Teenage Eating Disorders. More information on this book can be found here
EMDR: I am trained in the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This was originally a method of psychotherapy for dealing with emotional and physical trauma. Since then it has been found helpful for a variety of emotional issues as well as generally enhancing emotional strengths. EMDR is a specific technique requiring specialized training and certification. Research has shown this to be an effective technique for a variety of problem areas as well as to enhance coping skills and performance. For further information go to: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDIA).
Hormonal System Disorders/Pituitary Tumors and other Pituitary Disorders: The hormonal or endocrine system has a vital role in the biology of the human body, but also interacts in key ways with emotional and cognitive aspects as well. Pituitary and other Neuroendocrine Disorders are frequently undetected and untreated yet have an enormous impact on mental and emotional health, and thereby also affect the family too. I work with patients and families and their doctors along the way toward finding the best physical and mental health treatment. I have edited / authored a book on this topic. The Hormone Factor in Mental Health: Bridging the Mind-body Gap More information about this book can be found here.
Trauma Treatment: Highly trained specialists are necessary for this type of treatment which typically requires intensive time and specific treatment modalities. Trauma involves any physical, sexual, or emotional experience that is outside the normal range of human experiences and causes significant harm. This may result in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other diagnoses commonly related to trauma. Stress of any kind, if it is significant, can contribute to physical and emotional damage. It is impossible to avoid stress, even at times severe stress, but caring, understanding, and support along with tools to deal with life's circumstances can help.
Resources: The following are offered in no particular order as a service to the Ventura and west LA County community
Internet Use/abuse Resources:
On-line Gamers Anonymous: http://www.olganon.org/
Net Addiction Website: www.netaddiction.com
Common Sense Media: www.commonsensemedia.com
The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age, (2013), by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa H. Barker.
Caught in the Net: how to Recognize the Signs of Internet Addiction- and a Winning Strategy for Recovery (1998), by Kimberly S. Young.
Mental Health:
Crisis Team in Ventura County: (866) 998-2243
Crisis Team in Los Angeles County: (800) 854-7771
Crisis Support for Children (CIRT):
*866) 431-2478
California Lutheran University Community Counseling Center: Oxnard (805) 493-3059; Thousand Oaks (805) 493-3390
www.callutheran.edu/communitycounseling
Interface Children & Family Services: www.icfs.org; (800) 339-9597
Jewish Family Service: www.jfsvc.org; (805) 641-6565
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): (805) 641-6264
Free Clinic of Simi Valley: https://www.freeclinicsv.com/
Alcohol/Drug Treatment:
Local Alcohol Resources: http://drugabuse.com/usa/alcohol-abuse/camarillo-ca/
http://www.treatment4addiction.com/rehab/california/camarillo/
Alanon/Alateen: (805) 656-7110; www.alanonventura.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: (805) 389-1444; www.aaventuracounty.org
Narcotics Anonymous: (805) 641-0452
Transitional Age Youth (TAY):
TAY Tunnel: www.pacificclinics.org
Ventura County Youth:
Friday Night Live Club, Chat: call Gabe Teran, (805) 437-1374
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD):
www.Additude.com
Parenting:
United Parents of Ventura County: www.unitedparents.org
Adoption:
Kids & Families Together: www.kidsandfamilies.org
Pituitary Tumor and Endocrine/Hormonal Disorders:
www.pituitary.org
http://www.pituitaryworldnews.com/
Food Resources
Food Share: 805-983-7100 or www.foodshare.com
School Meals: www.vcoe.orgt/meals
Food for Seniors: 805-477-7300 or www.vcaaa.org
Homeless and Housing Services:
Call 211 for help
Area Housing Authority of Ventura County: 805-480-9991 or www.ahacv.org