Counseling, Ventura

I support each clients decision whether they choose to use medication or not. As was the case during the Victorian era, talk therapy has tremendous benefits and continues to evolve into more useful styles as is the case with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is an interactive, effective and current day approach used by many, including myself to help with depression, anxiety, relational issues, self esteem matters, addiction, self harm and much more.

Depression Symptoms Include:


Deep sadness
Emptiness
Hopeless
Helpless
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite
Suicidal thoughts
Exhaustion
isolating yourself

You can survive depression. Reach out for help, even though you don't feel like it. Because you are worth it and help is available.

Suggestions For Managing Depression

Cultivate supportive relationships (Join a support group)
Eat a healthy, mood-boosting diet
( Practice mindful eating. Slow down and pay attention to the full experience of eating. Enjoy the taste of your food)
Challenge negative thinking
Get regular exercise
Take care of yourself - Learn to Manage stress

You don't need to suffer, you are not alone, many have depression and are learning or have learned to both manage it and have good lives.

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Different Types Of Depression

Did You Know?

There is the depression, where getting out of bed or self care is severely limited. Then there is a form of chronic low-grade depression called Dysthymia.

Either of these may interfere with your falling asleep, staying focused and play a part in fueling your anxiety. Discovering tools to combat these intrusions on your sense of peace is something I can help you with.

If you are newly entering or returning to therapy, just a little something to consider:

If you are new to therapy - you may want to try and think of what it is you would like to get out of therapy. What goal(s) would you like to achieve?
A common response is, "I want to feel better". Let's go a little beyond that if possible, here are some ideas to get you thinking in terms of those goals: I want to feel less anxious, less angry, stop isolating & reduce loneliness, better manage my illness, I want to have a better relationship with my kids or partner....

If you are returning to therapy, you might want to include what was potentially helpful and worked for you, if anything, in your past therapy.

ADULTS - individuals facing difficult emotional challenges ( Individually, couples and family )

SENIORS - older adults navigating this stage of life

TEENS - teen life can be challenging at best



Individual and group therapy available

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Negative Self Talk


Inner dialogue is also referred to as 'self talk'.
What does yours sound like? Is it mostly negative?

Self talk can keep us in a funk, can head us into a funk when things start to turn difficult.

How it might sound and feel

1.) You have a negative or bad experience. That same day andj/ or in the days that follow,

2.) Great focus is put on that negative experience. Thinking about it over and over ( ruminating ), labeling your self as a victim, identifying other times when you felt victimized, feeling sorry for your self, feeling helpless in general.

3,) Lumping all negative experiences into one big "state of being", by "all" this means any time in your life when things went bad or didn't turn out the way you expected, believed or hoped they would.

4.) Resulting in a distorted self view and excuse to feel down/ depressed and/or distrustful, victimized.

This is, of course, is just one example of the dynamics of negative self talk.

A 1/2 hr initial consultation required prior to joining groups. Groups meet weekly on the day and time indicated. While making every attempt to keep this list of available groups current, there may be changes that are not yet reflected here. New groups get added from time to time, please don't hesitate to call for updates or other events planned.

Wednesday Mornings 10:00 am - 11:15 am - Camarillo

Group member fees: $45.00 weekly
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Many people feel anxious, or nervous, when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision, this is normal . Anxiety disorders, however, are different. They can cause such distress that it interferes with a person's ability to lead a normal life.

An anxiety disorder is a serious mental illness. For people with anxiety disorders, worry and fear are often constant and overwhelming.

Here are different forms of Anxiety:

Generalized anxiety disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Social anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
and a wide variety of phobias ( I have covered on a different lens )

Do only crazy people see a therapist?
No, this is an old misconception

Everyday people just like you often greatly benefit from therapy.

If something in your life makes you feel like you are going crazy, you feel stuck or are struggling with difficult emotions - this would be an ideal time to make an appointment and explore what might be helpful.

What is the "work" part about in therapy?

Getting The Most Out Of Therapy - Whether you are an individual, a couple or a family these tips will help you get the best results from your therapeutic sessions.

Trust - You need to feel heard and trust that your therapist is there to help you.
Understanding - If you have a question about what you are hearing, ask questions
Note pad - I always suggest bringing a note pad or notebook to each session
Homework - Homework assignments are for YOU, not your therapist

Can My Therapy Include Others?
Yes. If that is something you want

Here is an idea of what is available, in terms of who can go to your therapy session and what format may work best for your situation

Individual: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and the therapist only

Family: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and your family members, along with the therapist

Couples: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and your partner, along with the therapist

Groups: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and others that share similar concerns and struggles, along with the therapist

The groups facilitated here are small, safe and intimate - finding this the best way to facilitate sharing, healing and growth. In a large group these achievements can become difficult and take longer.

Do I Have To Lay On A Couch?
No.

This is often how people envision therapy sessions. In my opinion, this is Old School and more often associated with the type of psychoanalytical therapy that Sigmond Freud performed, over the course of many many years.

Why did it take him so long to help clients and not you?

Here, the therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Freud used a psychoanalytical approach that had individuals start with the beginning of their lives. Instead, CBT may take a "snapshot' of the past but focuses more on the "now and your future", on your "patterns" and how to change them.

Keep in mind, many therapists offices today do have a couch for comfortable seating, you don't have to lay down, most clients sit upright. Of course you are allowed to lay down if it is more comfortable for you