As a first step, we have all clients undergo an initial diagnostic evaluation. This process typically takes between one to three visits (each 50 minutes). During these visits, we get to know you, and you us. We assess current and past psychiatric symptoms and also ask about your history. This allows us to develop a comprehensive understanding of you so that we can create a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

Some of the things we seek to discover include:

• What prompted you to seek psychiatric treatment?

• What symptoms are you experiencing?

• How have these symptoms affected your life, including your social and professional functioning?

• What significant life events have shaped you and your behavior?

• Your psychiatric, medical, social, and developmental history

• Your goals for treatment

Evidence-based Treatments that produce results

Once we complete your initial evaluation and discuss your goals for therapy, we determine the best treatment approach to address your needs. This may include:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is an empirically supported, transdiagnostic treatment that focuses on reducing experiential avoidance and changing your relationship to internal experiences (thoughts and feelings) in the service of living a valued, vital, and meaningful life.  Mindfulness, metaphors, and experiential exercises play a central role in ACT. Like traditional forms of therapy, ACT emphasizes a warm, safe, & empathic therapeutic environment. Instead of focusing on childhood issues, ACT focuses on present-day problems & learning skills to live your best life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an empirically supported treatment that focuses on modifying problematic thoughts & behaviors that contribute to & maintain emotional problems like anxiety, stress, & depression. Like traditional forms of therapy, CBT emphasizes a warm, safe, & empathic therapeutic environment. CBT is different from some approaches in that it focuses on present-day problems & learning skills to overcome symptoms. Instead of focusing on childhood issues, you will learn to identify thoughts & behaviors that are keeping you stuck, so you may develop more adaptive ways for navigating your life.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that evidence shows is the most effective treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The “exposure” element of ERP refers to practicing the confrontation of thoughts, images, and situations that trigger anxiety and obsessions in a safe environment. The “response” element of ERP refers to the choice point of not going through with a compulsive behavior once the anxiety and/or obsession has been triggered.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is an empirically supported treatment that focuses on reprocessing traumatic or distressing memories and experiences using bilateral stimulation — such as therapist directed eye movements, taps, or tones — while imagining the distressing event. EMDR was originally developed to treat trauma and PTSD, but can also be applied to issues such as panic disorder and phobias.

We offer both individual and group therapy in-person and via telehealth for kids, teens, and adults residing in California.