Services

You’ve come a long way and now you’re thinking about therapy, huh? Some good questions to approach this journey are: What would my ideal therapist be like? What do I want to change and what do I want to stay the same? What was helpful in the past and what might be helpful now? What would be the best fit on this journey I’m about to embark on? If the answer to some of these questions is “I don’t know,” that’s perfectly ok.

Getting started with a therapist, whether it’s you’re first time, or you’ve done this before, can be nerve wrecking. Here are some things to expect during our first few sessions: 

1. Information gathering about current strengths and what’s worked
2. Assessment to see what the best mode of treatment will be
3. Getting to know how I work and more about you/your patterns
4. Goals, ways to reduce symptoms, and a structured but flexible plan

Mental health professionals use a variety of tools to help clients. Some of the tools I have found helpful are: Mindfulness Training, SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Reflective Communication, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and CAAMP (California Association of Anger Management Providers) approved 12 Module Anger Management Curriculum.

Modes of treatment I provide and ways to get to a better place:

• Group Support
• Individual Therapy
• Relationship Therapy
• SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Training

Individual Therapy Work

Queer/CNM/Neurodiversity sensitive: As a proud member of the LGBTQQIA, CNM (Consensually Non-Monogamous) and neurodiverse communities, I bring a certain understanding to each of our individual and relationship therapy sessions. I started receiving training in 2010 in working with clients who identify themselves with these communities. Long Beach, CA is a diverse place and many of my clients coming from the surrounding area are looking for support from a therapist who might explore: coming out, transitioning, exploring alternative relationships and labels, and strengthening self-advocacy skills. There are a lot of resources, social groups, apps, and struggles/successes that we may focus on.

Mindfulness: This is a buzz word that you might have heard many times but wonder, what does this really mean? Being mindful is a living meditation. Every action that you take, every thought that you have, every breath that you take, you are completely aware. You feel the sensations in your body when you’re taking the dog for a walk, you feel a burning sensation in the pit of your stomach when you think of your responsibilities at work, you feel the pressure and warmth when you give your partner a hug, you feel your teeth making contact with food. This might sound exhausting but it is actually very grounding and inspiring.

When your mind is focused on the present, the body feels more relaxed. You will also notice a lot more joy and peace throughout your day, and each day will feel like a very full and pleasant gift. With mindfulness, you become an active participant in this experience called life.

Your mind loves repetition, predictability, and routine. This will allow you to feel so comfortable, you will want to start taking more risks. Your ability to handle failure or disappointment will increase. You will feel and notice success even when the outcome was not what you expected. You will become much more expansive.

Solutions and Exceptions: Words are powerful and we can use them to move mountains.  I gently guide self-motivated and mandated clients towards their goals and solutions. I’ll help you identify what you’re doing that works (some of the time) and how to do more of that!

CBT and brief therapy: One positive thought or vision toward the future can be planted and can grow with very little effort. Many gurus will tell you “stop being so negative!” or “visualize what you want!” Much easier said, than done, right?

Small changes each day can make drastic shifts over a week, a month and a year. When you give yourself and your relationships just a tiny bit of water and nourishment through (stronger awareness of exceptions, patterns, thoughts and feelings), you will experience irreversible growth.

Let me be brief about this-Each person and therapy session is different and the meaning of ‘brief’ depends on the person.  In general, clients should start to notice lasting changes within the first month of collaboration.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):

EMDR is a research based, highly effective treatment for past trauma(s). These traumas may have occurred in the distant past (ie. you were bullied in first grade) or recently (ie. last week, you got into a car accident, and you’re afraid of driving). Originally, the therapist would guide the client in moving their eyes back in forth, while tuning into the body’s senses and tracking one’s thoughts. The eye movements are a great way to process past trauma, while working with a therapist in office or virtually (video session). I use a variety of forms of BLS (Bilateral Stimulation) including auditory (beat alternating in headphones) or self-tapping (tapping yourself alternating from one side to the other with a therapists guidance). I would love to provide more information on how EMDR might be helpful for you!

How EMDR works: https://youtu.be/hKrfH43srg8

What EMDR might look like: https://youtu.be/M2ra8p4MSOk

Children explain the triune brain (parts of your brain that are activated by EMDR): https://youtu.be/eVhWwciaqOE

Anger Management with Individuals: 

Although I am not currently facilitating groups through private practice, I integrate various tools (mindfulness, breathing exercises, Time Out Contract) to help individuals manage their emotions. 

Anger, Compassion and What it Means to be Strong:

Relationship Therapy Work

Reflective Communication: Empathic Listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGdgUP8XLwc

Reflective Communication and Listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUtZk960Q_A

Non-Violent Communication: Through exploring this 4 part process, you can better assert your feelings and needs and make requests of your partner(s). This method is highly effective with folks who identify as monogamous and CNM.

When relationships  are a struggle, I support clients in using the relationship smorgasbord, RADAR and adult attachment theory as a way to proactively approach communication.

I offer free 20 minute consultations to discuss your unique needs. This is also a great time for us to discover if we might be a good fit. Once it’s clear that working together is the best movement forward, I offer 50 minute individual therapy sessions for $175/session. We can meet in my office in Long Beach, or virtually (video or phone based sessions). If relationship therapy is what you’re seeking, I offer 90 minutes session for $300 with a minimum 3 session commitment. I offer superbill documentation for client reimbursement from your PPO insurance. While I take insurance through Kaiser Permanente California, I’m not currently accepting new KP patients. Please check back in the future for updates!!

NOW OFFERING SLIDING SCALE PAYMENT OPTION! If you’re looking for a safe container to discuss life and a tools to manage depression anxiety, I’m building a waitlist for referrals to my Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Consultations to check for goodness of fit will be scheduled in February!

I look forward to meeting you! Please contact me at LBCTherapy@Gmail.com for further details!