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Welcome. I'm a marriage and family therapist practicing in Manhattan Beach, CA.
A little about my background... I started my career in telecom and information technology, both in corporate settings and in the crazy start-up world. My lifelong interest in psychology really took off when my kids were young. Fascinated by the development of their little brains and minds, I began reading endlessly on the subject and in 2006 took a leap from corporate life and entered a master's program in clinical psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles. After completing my degree I worked with adults and children at the Airport Marina Counseling Center in Los Angeles, with teens and groups at the Boys and Girls club of Venice and with adolescent clients and families in private practice, fine tuning my skills around issues such as anxiety, depression, self harm, divorce, grief and loss, and addiction.
In 2009 I began working with research teams in the Department of Psychiatry at USC investigating the causes of Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In early 2018 I completed training in EMDR, an evidence based treatment for trauma and PTSD, also showing positive results in studies of anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, substance abuse and more. I now incorporate EMDR therapy into my work with many of my clients and have seen overwhelmingly positive results.
In my private practice in Hermosa Beach I work with adults experiencing difficulties in their current relationships and functioning due to current or unresolved trauma, anxiety and depression, couples, teens (12 and older) and their families around the many struggles our kids are facing including anxiety, depression, self-harm, low self-esteem, addiction and coping with divorce.
Please reach out. I welcome your calls and emails.
Brooke
A little about my background... I started my career in telecom and information technology, both in corporate settings and in the crazy start-up world. My lifelong interest in psychology really took off when my kids were young. Fascinated by the development of their little brains and minds, I began reading endlessly on the subject and in 2006 took a leap from corporate life and entered a master's program in clinical psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles. After completing my degree I worked with adults and children at the Airport Marina Counseling Center in Los Angeles, with teens and groups at the Boys and Girls club of Venice and with adolescent clients and families in private practice, fine tuning my skills around issues such as anxiety, depression, self harm, divorce, grief and loss, and addiction.
In 2009 I began working with research teams in the Department of Psychiatry at USC investigating the causes of Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In early 2018 I completed training in EMDR, an evidence based treatment for trauma and PTSD, also showing positive results in studies of anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, substance abuse and more. I now incorporate EMDR therapy into my work with many of my clients and have seen overwhelmingly positive results.
In my private practice in Hermosa Beach I work with adults experiencing difficulties in their current relationships and functioning due to current or unresolved trauma, anxiety and depression, couples, teens (12 and older) and their families around the many struggles our kids are facing including anxiety, depression, self-harm, low self-esteem, addiction and coping with divorce.
Please reach out. I welcome your calls and emails.
Brooke
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO THERAPY?
In our sessions together we will first spend time getting to know each other. I'll ask what brings you to therapy - at this moment in time- and let you take the lead. If we are a good fit, you should begin to feel safe, comfortable, at ease and in a space of non-judgement. Trust and rapport will develop over time and together we will outline your goals for therapy. I make use of several approaches in my work depending on the needs of each individual. Often people are most familiar with Psychodynamic therapy or "talk" therapy. Other approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offer better and faster results for example when working on recurring negative thoughts or anxiety. For those seeking short term therapy for isolated issues there is solution-focused brief therapy. I often incorporate mindfulness and meditation to enhance the therapeutic experience with any other style of work we are doing together and I incorporate EMDR therapy whenever possible.
In our sessions together we will first spend time getting to know each other. I'll ask what brings you to therapy - at this moment in time- and let you take the lead. If we are a good fit, you should begin to feel safe, comfortable, at ease and in a space of non-judgement. Trust and rapport will develop over time and together we will outline your goals for therapy. I make use of several approaches in my work depending on the needs of each individual. Often people are most familiar with Psychodynamic therapy or "talk" therapy. Other approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offer better and faster results for example when working on recurring negative thoughts or anxiety. For those seeking short term therapy for isolated issues there is solution-focused brief therapy. I often incorporate mindfulness and meditation to enhance the therapeutic experience with any other style of work we are doing together and I incorporate EMDR therapy whenever possible.
HOW LONG WILL THERAPY LAST?
Therapy is personal to each client. Some clients come weekly for months or years, others prefer short-term treatment lasting 8 to 16 weeks. Clients in crisis may come in twice weekly until the crisis abates. Some clients choose bi-weekly sessions, often when approaching the end of treatment. I recommend once weekly sessions to achieve and maintain lasting change.
Therapy is personal to each client. Some clients come weekly for months or years, others prefer short-term treatment lasting 8 to 16 weeks. Clients in crisis may come in twice weekly until the crisis abates. Some clients choose bi-weekly sessions, often when approaching the end of treatment. I recommend once weekly sessions to achieve and maintain lasting change.