I am trained as a generalist psychologist and I have a keen interest in people of broadly differing backgrounds. This has kept my work fresh and interesting to me over the 30 years that I have worked as a therapist. I am interested in you as a person of unique personal qualities.
However, I have also pursued advanced training at the post-doctoral level in order to advance my understand my patients at a deep and profound level. This includes the systemic, repetitive patterns that mark how my patients relate to family and friends. Marriage and family treatment is often focused at this level. There are also levels of thinking and relating that may be totally unconscious to them. Understanding these dynamics is often key to changing destructive patterns in the lives of my patients -- patterns that rob people of their joy in living meaningful and thoughtful lives. Working with people at the depth level of their experience is the most rewarding aspect of my work.
I am specially trained to listen to the nuances of what my patients say and to communicate this back to them in ways that foster insight and personal growth. Sometimes this stretches the patient personally because he or she was unaware of the underlying issues that were causing so much distress and disruption. However, the understanding I offer serves as a containing presence for suffering. What a relief occurs when a new perspective brings a positive life-transformation out of seeming chaos!
Primary Specialty
Psychologist
GenderMale
Education--Ph.D. (Candidate) in Psychoanalysis, Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis --Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology at Biola University --Master of Divinity in Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary --Master of Arts in Psychology, Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology at Biola University --Master of Arts in Guidance & Counseling Siena Heights University -- Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Hillsdale College
TrainingI have a doctorate in clinical psychology with four years post-doctoral training in psychoanalysis. I also have a graduate degree in theology.
AffiliationsCamarillo State Hospital and Developmental Center -- Clinical Psychology Intern 1987-1988 and Post-Doctoral Fellow 1992-1993
CertificationDoctorate in Clinical Psychology ~ Licensed: Psychologist ~ Licensed: Marriage, Family, Child Counselor ~ Diplomate: American Board of Medical Psychotherapists and Psychodiagnosticians ~ Registrant: National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology ~ Certificate of Professional Qualifications in Psychology: Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards ~ Pastoral Counselor: American Baptist Churches USA
Payment OptionsCash, money orders, or personal checks accepted
Services My approach to treating psychological disorders is not unique, but it is not common either. I am trained to work psychoanalytically-- a long term, depth approach to treatment that is effective in achieving personality change as well as symptom reduction. I offer both psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. When I do marital therapy, it too is informed by my psychoanalytic understanding. I am broadly experienced in treating affect & mood disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.
I also have a specialty that is uncommon in the field of psychology. I am trained theologically. I have a Master of Divinity degree and I am endorsed as a pastoral counselor by my denomination (American Baptist Churches, USA). I am able to work effectively with patients who present with distress regarding religious issues or who come from a religious perspective that needs to be understood and respected. Too often this population has been misunderstood and has not received the respect they need from their psychologist or therapist. These people need to feel safe and that their philosophical way of understanding the relational world is not going to be attacked or undermined.Additional ServicesMarriage and Family Therapist. Psychoanalysis