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Therapists answer…

For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

Elisa BlairE

Elisa Blair

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Going to therapy, even if it isn't your first time around, can bring anxiety. I still remember my first time in therapy, my thoughts racing, and feeling like I was going to do it wrong. That is normal and I want you to know my goal is to make sure you feel comfortable with me before we even go to some of those places that are painful to talk about. I encourage you to check out my website, to get a feel for what I sound like by watching my intro video, and reading my blogs. Also, we can spend 10-15 minutes over the phone for a FREE consultation to ensure we are the right fit and where I am happy to answer any questions you might have.
Are you looking for a trauma or couples therapist? Are struggling with inner child wounds and family of origin woes? Does it impact your romantic relationships, work, and how you show up in the world? Is being a cycle-breaker exhausting and do you need support? As a first gen myself in a biracial marriage, I know not only from my studies but lived experience just how important addressing cultural issues can be in order to make lasting change in our lives. I know how difficult exploring culture and how hard it is to find balance, not wanting to say something is bad or wrong but instead just figuring out how to live a life more inline with our values so that we can live more authentically. I help people with this all over California in online therapy.
Janise BaxterJ

Janise Baxter

Licensed Professional Counselor Assoicate
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Being vulnerable and open with a stranger can be extremely intimidating. Let's start by normalizing that fact. Now, understanding that therapists are trained professionals, who are ready to meet you where you are, hopefully can bring you some relief. Breathe in, breathe out, now take that chance! Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. I will help you realize that you are truly a powerful being and are more than capable of re-gaining control of your life.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Assoicate under the clinical supervision of Awa Jangha, PhD, LPC-S, ATR-BC. My clinical journey has given me the opportunity to work in a variety of settings including residential treatment, child development centers, psychiatric research, child welfare, PHP, IOP and private practice. I have enjoyed working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. I have experience working with clients that present with depression, anxiety, PTSD/C-PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, and complex trauma. I have a holistic approach to therapy. I firmly believe that including the mind, body, and spirit will produce optimal results. I help encourage clients to include the whole body in their healing process. I believe that every client is different, so I pride myself on being an eclectic therapist. There is not a "one size fits all" therapeutic orientation so in our work together, I will work to individualize your experience.
Teo Matos SantanaT

Teo Matos Santana

MD
Online & In-Person
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Therapy is a collaborative and empowering process that can help you understand and overcome challenges while improving your overall well-being. It’s normal to feel unsure at first, but taking the step toward therapy is a sign of strength. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel supported and in control of your journey.
I am a Yale-trained psychiatrist and addiction specialist with over 12 years of experience, and I take great pride in my dedication to patient care. Known for my compassionate and direct approach, I focus on addressing root causes and providing personalized, comprehensive treatment designed to improve both psychiatric symptoms and overall performance. TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY: I am straightforward and compassionate, committed to collaborating with you on your recovery journey. My focus is on selecting the lowest effective dose of medication and the most suitable therapeutic approach tailored to your needs. I consider other illnesses, genetic predispositions, and your lifestyle to ensure a safe and effective treatment plan, minimizing side effects like over-sedation or weight gain. I am trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy and CBT, specializing in Depression, Panic Disorder, trauma-focused Cognitive Processing Therapy, and integrative CBT approaches like CBASP. I also use Motivational Interviewing to support addictions and behavioral changes.
Ashley GrayA

Ashley Gray

LCSW
Online & In-Person
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Beginnings can be so scary. Wondering if therapy will work, if it's worth the investment, if you'll like your therapist and fearful of the answers you'll uncover for yourself. Speaking both from my experiences as a client and as a therapist, I can tell you that confidence, feeling seen and understanding your needs all lie on the other side of therapy. In session, you will be able to unwind, speak freely, gain clarity, learn new skills and feel that tension in your body start to relax. It won't always feel comfortable, not every session will be wrapped up with a bow. But on the other side of untangling the the complexities of your life will be the empowering assurance that you did this for yourself. You got this!
Welcome! I help individuals and couples make sense of their overwhelm by defining the problem and giving them tools to practice in session. You will also be assigned homework and I will provide you with the resources you need (quizzes, pdf’s, book recommendations, etc) to achieve your goals outside of your session. I am a licensed social worker and I am trained in marriage and family therapy. What that means is that in therapy we will look at the patterns in your life, your connections with others and the impact of your environment when working toward your goals. I love realness in therapy. I value being honest and direct with you and welcome your honesty and directness as well.
Ardenna DowningA

Ardenna Downing

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
You have taken the first step in overall wellbeing, and while therapy can be a challenge, it is worth the journey.  Your therapist's job is to support you as you navigate the tough parts and victories.  Sometimes the process can feel worse before it feels better because of a variety of things: Untangling habits, working thru the impact of systems (family, friends, etc.) that may be negatively affecting your wellbeing, facing unpleasant feelings, memories, etc.  BUT, the reward is so much greater!  I always say that freedom is not free!  Therapy will bring out compromise, challenge, reflections, awareness, etc. regarding self and others that you may not feel ready for.  It takes great strength to work thru your goals, and a good therapist will be with you every step of the way!
Are you having difficulty with life transitions such as divorce, infidelity and grief? Are you suffering with anxiety, confusion, flashbacks, inability to spark joy and compassion for self due to trauma? We can work together to develop and execute a plan that makes life more manageable and satisfying. My services are best for individuals and groups who need relief, empowerment, insight, and healing from challenging life events, self destruction and relationships. Most of my clients seek me out for grief, domestic issues such as abuse and infidelity, seeking life balance, and trauma. I have 15 years experience as a therapist and am integrative; utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities and interventions for treatment. I am a certified EMDR therapist, use Brainspotting, somatic, and creative arts to help people heal. I am also internal family systems informed; encouraging you to explore parts of self for wholistic healing.
Jennifer SteinerJ

Jennifer Steiner

Clinical Health Psychologist
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
It's totally understandable to be a little cautious about starting therapy for the first time (or starting over with a new therapist), especially if you're considering therapy for a chronic medical condition. What I want you to know is that going to therapy does not mean that you're crazy, it does not mean that your pain or illness is "in your head", and it does not mean that you have to go to therapy forever. This type of therapy is to help you live the life that you want! When you work with me, we can go as fast or as slow as you want, and I promise you- not ever sessions has to be super "heavy", sometimes we just work on coping skills.
I focus on helping people with chronic pain and chronic illness to regain control over their lives. Chronic pain and illness can take a major toll on the whole person- mood, relationships, work, sleep- the list goes on and on. When it starts to feel like pain or illness are impacting all parts of your life, it can lead to depression, sadness, worry, and loneliness; talking with a therapist who understands both the emotional and physical parts can help. In addition to my work with chronic pain and chronic illness, I also work with people going through the process of cancer treatment and recovery, as well as people with insomnia. I am a Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist with years of experience helping those with medical conditions AND I myself live with a a chronic illness. My personal connection to this work is what makes me passionate about helping others dealing with pain and illness to live a full, meaningful life even with physical challenges.
Leah KaylorL

Leah Kaylor

Leah Kaylor, Ph.D.
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
I always tell people who are hesitant about trying therapy that it is just a conversation. Therapy is your time, we can work on whatever you would like to work. If some topics feel too difficult, we can save them until you are ready to work on them.
Do you feel like something is off, but can’t put your finger on it? Do you feel like you could be performing better, but don’t know what is standing in your way? Is something going on with your child and you want to help them excel? Do you want to gain a better overall understanding of yourself and how your brain processes information? You can learn the answers to these questions and more with a highly customized psychological assessment. During the free consultation, you will have an opportunity to discuss your concerns with Dr. Kaylor, so she can prepare customized tests to target your specific questions: calendly.com/drleahkaylor Dr. Kaylor specializes in the assessment and diagnosis of learning, memory, and attention issues in children and adults. Dr. Kaylor will select the tests that are best suited to assess your unique concerns. She will continue to add as many tests as necessary to find the answers to your questions. Dr. Kaylor solely works on your case (no students or techs). Dr. Kaylor will select your test battery, administer, score, and interpret the results, write a comprehensive report with tailored recommendations, and conduct the feedback session. The assessment will be based on the most up-to-date research and tools available. Dr. Kaylor wants you to walk away from the evaluation process with all your questions answered. Want to work with me, but afraid you aren’t within driving distance? No problem, I am licensed to practice tele-assessment in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Please visit calendly.com/drleahkaylor to book a no-cost consultation.