Hi! My name is April Malden and I am a licensed therapist who has passionately been supporting individuals, couples, and families to productively navigate unexpected life changes, traumatic events and abuse, health/mental health issues, and attachment/relationship difficulties for over eight years. My approach is both warm and direct, with the utmost respect for the fact that you know yourself and your situation best. I consider it an honor to bear witness to each client’s emerging legacy, while supporting clients to develop their strengths, ideas, and identities to their fullest. This process may not be quick or easy, but will result in a life full of less pain, anxiety, depression, distraction, and limitations, and more healing, joy, energy, hope, and potential.
I earned a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from California State University, Fullerton and practice using a combined approach which allows a client to first achieve stability by incorporating mindfulness practices, a strengths-based focus, and solution focused techniques. When a client is ready, I use narrative along with other approaches to invite the client to a deeper understanding of how the various elements of their experiences have contributed to their story in helpful and disruptive ways. This ultimately empowers each client to reinterpret and reincorporate their experiences into a story that is their own, one where they are in control of their roles, responsibilities, relationships, fears, talents, and dreams, and living as their best self.
I have over eight years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families in non-profit clinical, social services, community-based mental health, and school settings. I have extensive experience working with nontraditional families, families affected by foster care and adoption, attachment/relationship difficulties, trauma, abuse, LGBT related issues, depression, anxiety, coping with transition, and relationship/personal development.
I would be honored to be your witness as you become your best self, and look forward to working with you!
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD
CA LMFT 94696