Therapists serving clients in Maywood, CA

Nadja Zapasov (MA, LMFT) ABOUT ME Welcome! I salute you on your choice to get help in moving forward in your life. Once you have made that decision, your own positive energy will support you and guide you to the next level. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” William Hutchison Murray The energy of one’s thoughts has the power to create an extraordinary life (or not). Directing your positive and constructive thoughts and emotions to the creation of your goals is the first step in achieving them. I would be honored to assist you in realizing the next step in your life plan, whether it is in the area of relationships, education or career, creative pursuits, coping with life changes, or your personal spiritual evolution. Your “world view” or what your beliefs are about life (and death) are the key to what is happening (or not happening) for you. If you change the way you think, you change the energy that creates things in your life. You are in control of your thoughts. Can you change how you think and what you believe? Of course! Are you looking to explore the possibility of a more spiritual perspective? Although I may not have all the definitive answers, I have learned enough not to fear death. I can help with the ability to discuss those spiritual questions and universal laws, and assist you in learning to use practical methods to move you towards living your best life. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California since 2004, with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University. The last twelve years I have worked with the active military and their families, and supervised thirty psychotherapists in their work with adults, children, families, and couples on military installations. Most people are looking for a better balanced life between work and personal satisfaction, as well as better communication, self-esteem, stress management, and how to cope with anxiety, infidelity, body issues, infertility, and parenting. We will work together using educational videos, books, art projects, and various other techniques that will enlarge your personal insights and are sure to make life more interesting and exciting!...you are the most important project you can work on! I really look forward to working with you--on YOU!

Who am I? My name is Dr. Damaris Conrad and I have been in practice as a licensed Marriage, Family Psychotherapist for the past 24 years. I hold licenses as an MFT in California and in Idaho, and Clinical Supervision certification. I also teach online in Masters/ Doctoral programs for CACREP Therapy program in Higher Ed and have been teaching for well over 20 years. I have been married to the same man for 41 years and I will be the first one to admit that marriage is one of the toughest relationships you can commit to. We have walked through many hills and valleys, and there were days we wondered if our marriage would survive or become a statistic. Together, we have 2 adult children who are married and are enjoying their love and life partnerships for the past several years. My Focus in Therapy My commitment to providing high-quality psychotherapy is backed by over 24+ years of experience. Combining evidence-based methods, a comprehensive knowledge of current research and a compassionate partnership with each unique individual, I offer support to help solve problems and assist in making healthy decisions, adjusting comfortably to change, while providing tools to overcome the emotional distress that keeps us stuck. Our work together will be tailored to your specific goals and will incorporate approaches drawn from the Integrative Model of Therapy which includes Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Family Systems while sometimes including a bit of Narrative or Collaborative forms of therapy, in order to help you create the life you want. My clients often tell me that I tend to get to the “juggler quickly” while gently assisting you as we move through the ambivalence, resistance, or pain which may be underlying the stuck feeling when faced with life changes. My job is to provide non-judgmental support and help you explore the steps needed to move forward, whether it's overcoming anxiety, depression or trauma, conquering anger or behavioral issues, addressing relationship and/or family challenges, gaining clarity on career frustrations or transitions, managing issues related to aging, improving communication or reducing stress. I tend to see my role as a coach, co-collaborator, and will partner with you, walk alongside of you, and believe in getting down into the trenches to tackle the obstacles, find the skills, tools, and answers together. My clients often tell me that I am NOT the type of therapist that sits silently by in session by just giving you the occasional head nod and verbal “uh-huh”. Instead, I give direct feedback, and actively challenge you to dig deeper, or look closer, stay with the tension, as we unlock and extract the answers together. It is my desire to bring hope, optimism, humility and humor to my work and feel that it is an honor to be invited on each new journey. You will be treated with respect, care and compassion while also receiving constructive guidance to help you navigate the murky waters. What do I do in my spare time? In my spare time, I have been writing on the issues of my heart. I am the author of 3 books which include The Fork in the Road: When your Spouse goes Left and You go Right, and a book on reversing Diabetes Naturally and gaining back our health and life, and another book called Just Desserts: Sugar Free and Low Carb Desserts for the Sweet Tooth in All of Us! I also play the piano, love to read, serve in various roles at church, love to entertain, and enjoy some forms of camping and hiking, and white-water rafting with our family and friends. Passions in Therapy You might think it a bit strange that a Psychotherapist would write on health-related issues, but it is important to understand the connection between mind, body, spirit. When we are stressed or going through long term or chronic conflict, it often manifests in medical and health disorders, weight and sleep issues. If left unchecked, it can hinder or impact the way we see the world through our emotions, cognition's, psychological-mental health, and in many cases affects our spiritual and physical health. Have you ever heard someone tell you that they can’t sleep, or they are overeating, or all they want to do is lie down and shut the world off? Often this is due to the unrecognized toll and stress or long-term conflict in relationships, which can steal from our bodies, health, and emotions, not to mention our peace of mind. We learn to push these things down deep inside and we don’t necessarily make the connection between the anxiety or depression that we are feeling, and the way it may be manifesting (symptomatically) within our bodies and what our bodies may be trying to tell us. I have personally lived in a very long-term situation with chronic stress and at times, it can feel like you are either going to explode (or even implode) if something doesn’t change soon. It is important to help us make that mind-body connection and learn the value of incorporating specific tools in taking care of ourselves. Sometimes, this can be as simple as removing something off of our to-do list, and other times it can mean heading to the doctor to rule out what is behind our physical symptoms. Another passion I hold dear is working and specializing in issues with couples in crisis. Marriage and family issues have their own unique markers and when we are in crisis, we try many things to bring back the peace and status quo. Sometimes the tools and skills we have may not be enough, and we need to explore what is maintaining the symptoms and why we keep getting stuck into the same old patterns. Together, we will work on identifying what those patterns are, the role the patterns of (behaviors, beliefs, attitudes) serve while we explore how to navigate the minefields that threaten to blow up our relationships. Population(s) and Issues I Serve The population I work with include Individuals, Couples, Families. Whether you are looking for premarital counseling, or you are involved in a marriage of many years, many of us find that we need someone to walk alongside us, as we identify and push through the barriers. Here is a just a small sample of issues I work with which include but are not limited to the following: • Marital Issues (intimacy, fidelity and infidelity, destructive behavior patterns, communication challenges, trauma, abuse, etc., parenting, infertility, sexual issues, in-laws, boundaries, work-life-ministry balance, Stages of Marriage & Parenting, Conflict Resolution, sexual issues, aging, empty nest,) • Stress, Anxiety, Depression • Forgiveness • Relationship Issues (Boundaries, Assertiveness, Mindfulness, Communication, Self Esteem & Other Esteem, Identity, Multi-Generational Patterns) • Premarital • ADHD (Adults, Adolescents, Children) • Woman’s Issues • Health & Wellness: Adjustment & Growth • Trauma and Different Forms of Abuse, Victimization • TBI, PTSD • Military • Ministry Couples, • Grief & Loss • Divorce & Separation (Challenges, Recovery, Healing) • Parenting • Blended Family Issues • Career /Vocational Transitions and Challenges Services Offered Live, Phone, Chat, Video It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life while addressing the issues, uncovering blind spots, and identifying needed changes. I would be honored to walk this path with you, support the needed steps give you feedback, and empower you throughout the journey. If you are looking for an experienced, skilled, and compassionate therapist, then let’s get started, today! Dr. Damaris Conrad

For the past twenty five years, I have been a licensed marriage and family therapist, a professor and consultant, serving in many professional arenas including director of a counseling center, clinical supervisor, and therapist for individuals, couples, and families. Working from a Systemic perspective, I treat problems such as relationship issues, family conflicts, depression, ADHD, parenting issues, anxiety/stress, depression, and substance abuse keeping in mind how these stressors impact relationships. My additional expertise is in assisting couples and families to improve their relationships, learn positive coping skills and find the flexibility needed to adapt to family life cycle changes including divorce and blended families. My therapy style is warm, comfortable and inviting providing a safe place to air problems and restore healthy mental and emotional functioning. My personal challenge is to connect with people in collaborative relationships which inspire and support my clients to access their strengths, create possibilities, and attain their goals. This commitment transcends my work as a therapist, educator, and consultant. I am also the founder of Parent University, a grant program created for school districts to help parents and their children resolve educational and relationship challenges. I have strong beliefs in the importance of constructive and productive parenting skills and believe that parents provide the leadership for all family members to grow and thrive. I have been a professor at several Universities and a core faulty member at Capella University since 2001, first serving as the Clinical Director of the Counselor Education Program for several years. I have earned several degrees including both a MS and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University as well as a MA in Marketing. As a licensed MFT in California, I have been active in the profession for over 25 years in private practice working with individuals, couples and families. My numerous publications and presentations have focused on clinical practice issues and personal coaching. My book Self Coaching, How to S.O.L.V.E. personal and professional problems, reflects my interest in the Solution Focus Brief Therapy model and its use in working with clients. My most recent book At the End of the Day helps the reader connect with their existing strengths and abilities that have become lost in the midst of being problem drenched. By using a Solution focused approach in their problem solving efforts, my clients become able to “remember” their past successes and how to best use their existing abilities and skills to attain their personal goals. In addition to being a Marriage and Family Therapist, I also have over thirty years of sales, marketing, managerial and motivational experience. My career represents both a clinical and business background working in executive positions of major corporations, owning my own beverage distribution company, and growing a large clinical practice (Counseling Solutions). The blending of these various perspectives and talents has allowed me to become an innovator in developing creative organizational environments. I am also the founder of Solution Focus Consulting which specializes in executive coaching, achieving personal excellence, team building and sales and marketing innovations. I look forward to working with you in resolving your existing problem issues and helping facilitate the successful attainment of your goals. SPECIALTIES • Relationship issues • Family conflicts • Depression • ADHD • Parenting issues • Career difficulties • Stress, Anxiety Clinical approaches: Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems, Client Centered Years of Experience: 25 ________________________________________

Hello, My name is Claudia. A little about me: I graduated in 2013 with a masters degree in psychology and am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I work with children, adults and families who have decided therapy could be a source of support. I emphasize the word DECIDE because therapy will work best when -you're ready- for reflection, compromise and, when applicable, open for change. My approach to therapy is strength-based, solution focused and client-centered. Each person's story is unique; therefore, I use multiple treatment modalities to meet each individual's needs. I work collaboratively with clients throughout their counseling process and journey to support them in their healing. Thank you for taking the first step in your healing, and I hope to meet you soon.

I'm here to support you throughout your therapeutic journey. My goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, rediscover your strengths, and achieve your individual or relationship goals. I offer a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, where we collaboratively search for new solutions using empirically based therapeutic treatment.

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me – sometimes just getting this far can be a lot of work, and I understand that. My name is Caron Trataris, and I am a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/LMFT. I work primarily with adults. Many of my clients engage therapy because they are experiencing emotional pain or may be feeling overwhelmed, either by symptoms of anxiety or depression, resulting in a limited ability to connect with others, or realize opportunities for personal growth. In session I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based approach to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Examining a client’s physical response to external stressors lends to the integration of mindfulness techniques to cultivate moments of calm, replacing a reactive response with the space necessary for thoughtful interpretation in the face of change. I hold 3 master’s degrees, a Master of Science in Counseling, Marriage, Child and Family Therapy from University of Phoenix-Pasadena, CA, as well as a Master of Science in Psychology and an MBA, also from University of Phoenix. I look forward to our journey, let me know if I can be of service.

Quen Freeman is a psychotherapist licensed in California with 6 years of therapeutic practice experience. She's experienced in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence building. Quen believes that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Quen practices a brief therapy model (6-8 weeks) utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-based protocols to share tools that you can use immediately to meet your therapy goals and ideally improve your day-to-day life experiences. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps toward change. I am here to support & empower you on your journey.

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion because I know what inconsideration and disrespect feel like. I walk with all religions as a spiritual person but admittedly have a primarily Christian background. I want to meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to go.

I am licensed in California with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.