Find a Therapist in Long Beach, CA

As a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), I specialize in the treatment of anxiety using multiple approaches to recovery.

I am passionate about supporting clients to live a life of healthy self-directed inspiration. Life can bring unexpected traumatic events like cancer diagnosis that can leave a person stuck and unable to navigate their way out. Healing and recovery is imperative in order to live a life that is strengthened and recreated with greater meaning. I provide support and collaboration while working through presenting issues. My clients live positively transformed lives with deeper awareness, person integrity and respect.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I provide psychotherapy primarily to individuals and couples. I have in-depth training in relational therapy, as well as trauma and post-traumatic symptoms. I have worked extensively in GLBTQ communities, and with non-traditional couples and families. I work with a wide range of clients. I treat adolescents and adults in individual, couples, or group sessions. My expertise is in working with people who have a history of traumatic or transitional experiences. I have also helped people struggling with identity-related issues, including those of gender, sexual orientation, class, and ethnicity. I tend to work from a depth-oriented model of treatment, meaning I work with the client to address underlying issues causing symptoms with the goal of creating long-term change and relief.

I believe that the client is the expert in his or her own life, however, it is frustrating to go to a therapist who continually asks "how does that make you feel?" I care about how you feel, but more importantly, I want to know what you are doing about it. I believe that finding a solution is more important than focussing on the problem. In addition to traditional therapy, I also offer psychological testing for those who are interested in psychometric evaluations of intelligence and personality. I also provide a number of screening instruments to discern a more global diagnostic picture. Therapy can be eye opening and exciting, but having a full psychological profile done is mind blowing!

When it comes to accomplishing your goals in therapy, it starts with making sure we are a good fit, and that we can create and maintain a genuine relationship. While I have resources and specialized training, I can only give you my best guess. I value you as the expert in your own life; I consider myself as a fellow-journeyer on the path. If we agree that we can work together, I will initially focus on fostering safety in our sessions. Safety is important, more importantly, though, my focus will be on helping you build resiliency and effectiveness. I will be honest with you, I will hold you accountable, and I will be empathetic. Creating a life with meaning takes work. You got to do the reps, and I am here to spot you. I work for you.

Specializing in: -- eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma and self-esteem -- maternal mental health and women's issues -- trauma & PTSD -- understanding and healing from narcissistic abuse -- grief and loss -- chronic health & cancer struggles

Reaching out to speak with a therapist can feel vulnerable, maybe even anxiety-provoking. My goal is to put you at ease. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, my style is kind, empathic, curious, and collaborative. Initial sessions ensure you feel safe, heard, seen, and understood. I believe therapy works best when there is a balance between immediate gratification (quick, effective interventions) tethered to long-term satisfaction (overall goal achievement). Understanding the cultural, relational, and emotional contexts by which therapeutic change occurs is incredibly important. Whether short-term or longer-term goals, the results include improved insight, increased awareness, better moods, emotional regulation, stress relief, new behavior patterns, and more satisfying relationships. Trained in narrative therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychoanalysis, I hold a certification in sex therapy through an AASECT-certified program. Additional modalities integrate evidence-based best practices tailored to the needs of each client. I am honored to work on behalf of a diverse group of individuals, couples, and their families from a myriad of different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, relational affiliations, and socio-economic classifications.

With over 15 years of experience in the fields of human services and psychotherapy, I have had the privilege of working with folx from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of needs AND strengths. Although my practice utilizes a variety of modalities, as a Certified EMDR Therapist, I specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), a neurobiological approach that targets difficult memories from the past that form problematic patterns contributing to current issues, such as difficulty trusting, perfectionism, self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Recognizing the important role our protective system plays in healing, I also incorporate parts work to help clients learn, befriend, and develop compassion for all parts of themselves that, at times, have been in conflict and causing overwhelming internal turmoil. With the use of humanistic, mindfulness-based, and somatic techniques informed by the polyvagal theory, clients can take steps toward finding peace in the nature of impermanence and approaching life in a gentler way. I use humor, psychoeducation, and appropriate self-disclosure to help folx understand their thoughts and behaviors, even the ones that have been labeled as "dramatic" or "overreacting", from a neuro-biological perspective and trauma-informed lens. Being a Queer, First gen Asian American therapist, I am familiar with the cultural barriers and challenges QTBIPOC folx face both professionally and personally. During the darkest part of my life, I was fortunate to cross paths with healing professionals who showed me hope. Since then, I have made it my life’s mission to pass on that hope to others. I constantly strive to provide a safe, respectful, and healing space for all, especially those from underserved and marginalized communities. I am acutely aware of the collective trauma many of our communities are struggling from as oppressive, discriminating policies and hateful rhetoric are widespread all around us. My hope is to be able to offer a refuge where that painangerfear can be witnessed, shared, and when appropriate, turned into an energizing force to stand up and take up space once more. However, no healing can take place unless one can feel safe and trust in the therapeutic relationship. I truly believe that the most effective therapeutic progress stems from a collaborative, mutually respectful process between two authentic human beings. If my values and approach to therapy resonate with you, please feel free to contact me for a free consultation to determine if we would be a good fit.

I specialize in taking couples from conflict to connection, tailored to the needs of the individual couple. My patients tell me that I come across as a warm, rather humorous individual who uses a practical approach in therapy. I believe in first helping couples decide if they want to work on the relationship or not. (Called discernment). If so, I devote all my energy to helping couples move forward by learning new skills to communicate and feel connected. I also teach couples conflict resolution skills so you can disagree without being disagreeable- that is, communicate with respect and empathy. I strongly encourage "homework" between sessions designed to strengthen skills, develop common interests (if needed), and to learn to enjoy each other again.

Asking for help is hard. Even searching this directory required the bravery of taking the first steps into an uncertain process that can be scary. Let me make it easier. I'd like to walk alongside you as you navigate that process, to serve as a guide while you discover the route toward your best self, or to work with you to help your struggling child. I offer an integrative approach centered on cognitive behavioral therapy with the goal of helping you to build the skills you need to improve and maintain your own mental health. I want nothing more than for my clients to not need me anymore and to feel confident and assured to exit therapy in control of their own lives. I serve adults, children, couples, and families. I have a special fondness for working with teens. Trauma recovery is an area of emphasis for me, and I have received advanced training in trauma therapies geared toward children and adolescents. Anxiety and OCD are other areas of focus for me. I began my mental health career as a suicide prevention counselor, and I am a certified domestic violence counselor, so I don't shy away from the most uncomfortable topics. Please reach out to me to learn how I can help you or your family.

I have served as a psychologist for over 20 years, assisting people with issues such as work stress, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. I use a two-pronged approach. I address the specific concerns that brought you to therapy, then implement a therapeutic style compatible with your personality, challenges, and approach to learning. Everyone has the power to change their lives. Clients say I am caring and compassionate, yet straightforward.

Therapy helps you become your best self. The person you want to be. If you are weighed down with uncertainty, ambivalence, depression, anxiety or fear there is a way through and we will find it together. In a safe, caring, compassionate space you can be seen and heard, understood and known, perhaps for the first time in your life. No matter how dire things may seem right now, there is a way forward. Yes, it can be difficult and painful. This way forward can also be exciting, inspiring and life-changing. Effective Couples Therapy. Whether you'd like your relationship to be even better than it is, or if your intimate relationship is a quagmire of uncertainty, conflict and fear, I can help. You will learn to use powerful communication methods to promote genuine mutual understanding with your mate, and develop the caring, compassionate, loving, growing relationship you yearn for. I have worked in Addiction Recovery for some time now. Whether you're still making a commitment to stop using, or you've made your commitment, I can help and support you without judgement through whatever program is working for you; I specialize in mindfulness relapse-prevention skills and cognitive skills from SMART Recovery.