Therapists serving clients in Parlier, CA

Hi there, My name is John Machikawa, a licensed therapist. I have extensive experience working with clients coping with mood disorders, personality disorders, and substance use. I have completed a Master's Degree from Washington University in St Louis and an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California. I have served as a clinical supervisor and clinical consultant for over nine years at community outpatient clinics and community based adult service centers. In our initial session, I'll complete an initial evaluation to understand your personal history, family background, occupation, current health, substance abuse, trauma, educational background, mental health treatment, suicidal thoughts, and relationships. After the initial evaluation is completed, we will have a comprehensive overview. Our sessions can include processing your thoughts and feelings, exploring maladaptive behavior patterns, psychoeducation, symptom management, increasing coping skills, recognizing your triggers, challenging thought patterns, and reducing barriers to positive change. As your therapist, I am here to provide a safe space for you to explore your life story. I want to ask you about your childhood to find out how that is affecting your current life. I want to learn about your strengths as well as weaknesses. I want to learn about what motivates you so that you can take a new path where life has added meaning and fulfillment. I am here to provide you support, validation, comfort, listen to your thoughts, process difficult memories, and to work toward achieving your goals.

Joe Whitcomb, Relationship Society's BondFire Project Therapy: I hail from the picturesque locales of Santa Monica and San Diego, California, and embarked on a unique journey that led me to Kyiv, Ukraine in June 2021. My original mission was to delve into the realm of trauma-informed mixed reality, with a particular focus on addressing trauma and relationships within the metaverse, primarily catering to military personnel, veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors. However, unforeseen circumstances such as the war have kept me engaged in trauma-informed humanitarian efforts. This endeavor is not just my profession but my profound passion. Currently, I find myself residing in the charming city of Nice, France. My expertise lies in offering trauma-informed relationship psychotherapy services, utilizing a range of modalities that transition seamlessly from virtual reality experiences and video or telehealth therapy. These techniques are designed to foster secure and supportive conversations, particularly in the context of couples and families dealing with Complex-PTS and PTS (Trauma). I have a penchant for working with couples, individuals, military personnel, veterans, first responders, and anyone who "Rage against the dying of the light" in the face of adversity. My therapeutic approach is marked by the integration of multidisciplinary theories, concepts, interventions, methods, and applications aimed at treating complex PTSD within the intricate dynamics of couples. I draw upon the best practices in PACT, Gottman Method, Imago Therapy, Real Life Therapy, Executive and Life Coaching, EMDR, and attachment-based Emotionally Focused Couple Trauma. My goal is to tailor these approaches to the unique needs and circumstances of each couple. I firmly believe that well-being is inherently social, and by offering couples a shared context, tools, resources, and evidence-based trauma-informed research, we can effectively target the barriers that hinder them from realizing their true desires and forging deeper connections. In the spirit of a Celtic saying, "We live in the shelter of each other," I recognize that no relationship is without its vulnerabilities. Partners must acknowledge these raw spots and engage in open, compassionate communication to draw closer to one another. Love, like a dance, involves tuning in, connecting, missteps, disconnection, repairs, and deeper connections. It's an ongoing process of meeting, parting, and finding one another anew, moment by moment and day by day. When partners in distress no longer view each other as emotional safe havens, conflicts take on a deeper significance—they are desperate pleas to restore the eroding connection and reignite emotional engagement. Learning to love and be loved entails attuning to our own emotions and those of our partners. This empowers us to express our needs openly, eliciting compassion and support, and creating a secure foundation upon which both partners can rely. Here Is What To Expect When You Work With Me This will give you a sense of my guiding beliefs and my approach to working with couples. What I Believe • Couples are seeking connection. We want to feel that connection with each other, that aliveness, that excitement, that sense of well being. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual connection. It is what we feel when we first come together with someone and “fall in love”. • Conflict is the motivating force for healing and growth in relationships. I believe the conflict couples experience after the “honeymoon period” of their relationship is actually necessary. Conflict points out where we don’t get our needs met. Unmet needs create a breakdown in connection, destroying passion and intimacy. Many couples don’t navigate this “power struggle” phase successfully and eventually break up or settle for a less than satisfying relationship. • Connection requires Safety and Passion. We want the emotional safety to be ourselves, to be open and honest, to feel accepted and understood. With this safety, comes deep connection. From this nurturing environment, passion can arise and be sustained. I mean sexual passion, of course, and also, emotional passion. The freedom to be spontaneous, to express who we are, to be intimate and excited by our lives is also a key desire. • Expressing and meeting your needs creates a healthy, passionate relationship. I will teach you to create the emotional safety which will allow you to recognize and express your needs consciously. From this place of safety and satisfied needs, a conscious, passionate relationship can develop. Get Results • You can learn how to connect again with your partner! You can share with each other on a deep, loving, meaningful level. You can feel heard and understood by your partner. You can learn to be more compassionate and empathic with them and they with you. • You can have a passionate, exciting sex life with your partner! You can spontaneously express your feelings towards your partner through your lovemaking. • You can feel good about yourself and your relationship again! You can know your needs, share them with your partner and together you can help each other to meet those needs! You can respect and cherish each other and treat each other and your relationship with that deep caring and nurturing. • You can recapture that playfulness, that innocence, that pure joy of being together that you once had! You can tap into and recreate those wonderful, idyllic moments you once shared and have them available to you once again! • You can reignite the passion of your relationship! You can remove the baggage that has weighed you down and be lifted into a new romance, a new love, a new depth that you have always wanted and you will be able to sustain it. What Working With Me Is Like • You’ll learn skills, tools and exercises to help your relationship. My ultimate task is to put myself out of a job. I want you to be able to be responsible for your relationship and have the skills to make it the best it can possibly be. • I’ll expect you to practice between sessions. The majority of the work takes place between our sessions. The results you receive will be in direct proportion to the work you put into this process. I’m committed to doing everything in my power to help you in your relationship. I expect the same from you. • I’ll shoot straight with you. I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’m not afraid to take charge of our sessions. I won’t collude with you in the sustaining the unhealthy parts of your relationship. I’ll hold you accountable to your goals and our mutual agreements and for creating the relationship vision that you desire so strongly to create. • I’ll help “translate” between you and your partner. This is something I’ve had a great deal of practice at, and I’m really good at it. I can speak your language, whether intellectual or emotional, whether masculine or feminine, whether verbal or non-verbal. It’s one of my greatest gifts as a couples’ therapist. • My job is to keep you emotionally safe and secure while you do the work. I take that very seriously. Couples are generally not very comfortable with the process of beginning couples work. They are airing all of their issues in front of a total stranger. There can be a lot of finger pointing and blaming, criticizing and condemning. I don’t allow that. We’ll create a space where you can be honest AND kind and loving. Developing intimacy requires the freedom to be open and vulnerable, which requires safety. • We’ll laugh and have fun. This is serious work, and needs to be balanced with a sense of humor. I’m professional, yet relaxed and easy-going. I’m flexible, creative and out-of-the-box. I’ll do my best to set you at ease and have you be as comfortable as you can be through this challenging, yet rewarding process. The Bottom Line I believe that I can help you to have a better relationship, that is more passionate, more intimate, more romantic, more sensual. BIOGRAPHY:  Qualifications & Experience I have been counseling and training informally for 25 years and formally for 20 years. I served in my church as a marriage and family ministry leader, educator and mentor for 20 years and as a professional, licensed marriage and family therapist for 15 years. I did my training for a B.S. in psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology with University of Maryland, B.S. in Organizational Management with University of Phoenix, Masters in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy with Pepperdine University, and all but dissertation for Doctorate in Psychology in Marriage and Family Therapy with The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My clinical practicum and internship was with La Vie Christian Counseling in Pasadena and Santa Monica, and Turning Point Christian Counseling in Pasadena. I also trained in Christian Counseling with Gary Smalley, Henry Cloud and John Townsend, and Emerson Eggerichs for Christian Marriage and Relationship Therapy. My other training and certifications include: Certificate in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Gottman Level I and II Certified Gottman Educator Certified in EMDR Certified in PTSD and Trauma Therapy Certified in Couples Intensives with Smalley Institute Certified and trained in Dynamic Marriage Certified and trained in Love and Respect Couples Intensives with Emerson Eggerichs Certified and trained in Cloud and Townsend Certified as a facilitator and trainer in SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts) with Les and Leslie Parrot Certified and trained as a Facilitator and Trainer for Prepare and Enrich Certified in Christian Marriage, Couples and Relationship Intensives with Sharon Morris May

I am an independently licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of New Mexico and California. I have been licensed since 2005, and a supervisor for other therapists since 2011. I received my Bachelors in Psychology from the University of New Mexico, and my Masters from California State University Fullerton. I started my career in mental health in 2002 after receiving my Bachelor's and worked as a case manager and behavioral health tech prior to and while obtaining my masters degree. I have worked in a number of diverse number of settings, including outpatient clinics, treatment foster care, and residential treatment and supervised residential treatment centers, group homes and day treatment programs. I've worked with individuals of all ages, families, and adolescents, and most recently seniors. I've specialized in treating those with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, domestic violence, trauma, and those at-risk. During my career, I have worked as a therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Director, COO and most recently as an Executive Director. All the roles have been extremely rewarding but none more than working 1:1 with individuals seeking out therapy. Currently, I am focusing on those with adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, parenting support, relational issues, and trauma. I work diligently as your partner to tailor therapy to meet your individual needs. Therapy is designed to meet you where you are. You'll be heavily involved in developing the therapy goals and I'll tailor my approach to meet your needs. My goal is to allow you to reach your personal, family, and professional goals. We'll identify your strengths and build upon them to meet your identified needs to work towards you becoming the best version of yourself. I look forward to working with you on your journey! Specific therapeutic interventions include: CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) Psychodynamic Therapy Talk Therapy Strength Based Narrative Therapy

Hello, thank you for visiting my page. My name is Amy Allen, a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with over 15 years' experience in the Mental Health Field. I currently work with a diverse group of clients seeking assistance for depression, anxiety, homelessness, grief, loss parenting, life skills, as well as those looking to improve their lives by learning skills to navigate this ever-changing world. Change is difficult and I know, we need motivation and encouragement to help reach our goals and improve relationships. I graduated from California State University at Dominguez Hills with a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science and a concentration in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy and have been licensed since 2015. My passion is helping people improve their lives which I feel could be attributed to much of my own life experience, education and being able to identify with clients. My goal is to assist in providing real life solutions to current barriers to living your best life I have been trained in and utilize CBT, DBT, Motivational interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy and EMDR.

I am licensed in North Carolina with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & career difficulties. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. 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.

Welcome! I provide virtual therapy in California, Virginia, and Alabama for anxious high-achievers and recovering perfectionists struggling with finding satisfaction in life, relationships, or work. I help you figure out what’s going on, let go of the panic, and feel more in control of your life by teaching you what to do with your feelings of anxiety, anger, and overwhelm. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. My approach is warm, compassionate and direct. The therapy process involves learning about yourself, recognizing your patterns, and actively working on making changes to meet your goals. I will make jokes, cheer your wins, listen to your pain, challenge you, and offer practical experiences to build your confidence as you create the life you want. I have over 14 years of specialized experiencing supporting active duty military, first responders, veterans, government professionals, engineers, financial analysts and contracting officers with their unique work-life challenges.

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. 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 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. 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.