Hello, I’m Richelle.
Like many clinicians you may talk to, I was drawn to the practice of psychotherapy by my own challenges and emotional roadblocks. I’ve also felt lost & overwhelmed at times, unsure of what to do or how to feel better. Therapy helped me figure things out and has supported me in discovering my true, authentic self and in determining how I want to live my life in a way that feels right to me and is aligned with my values.
My experience has taught me that true healing happens not only by talking through the history of our lives but by delving deeper into the wisdom of our emotions, imaginative experiences (dreams, daydreams, artistic expressions, etc), impulses, and the felt-sense of the mind-body connection. Exploration of memories, beliefs, thought patterns, defenses, and go-to coping skills are often fruitful as well, as these phenomena strongly influence how we experience ourselves, our relationships, and the world at large.
I appreciate the courage it takes to reach out and ask for help during a difficult time in your life. Give me a call and we’ll figure it out together. You’re not alone.
good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
My Education and Background
I am licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences / 2016 - current / LMFT# 93745
Primary and Continuing Education:
Central Michigan University / B.S.
Pacifica Graduate Institute / M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology
Parnell Institute / Attachment-Focused Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) I & II
Pacific Trauma Center—Lisa Larson, LMFT / Brainspotting I & II
Behavioral Tech—Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP / DBT Skills Training
Insight LA—Kristin Neff, Ph.D. & Michelle Becker, LMFT / Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills
MARC UCLA—Diana Winston / Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs)
NAMI Family Connections—DBT-based Tools & Skills for Improving Communication and Problem Solving/Collaboration
Clinical Training:
Antioch University Counseling Center, Los Angeles / School-Based Therapist working with Adolescents & Their Families
The Women’s Clinic and Family Counseling Center, Los Angeles, CA / Therapy for Individuals and Couples
Additional Experience:
New Roads Elementary School, Los Angeles / Education Assistant
BISLA / Behavioral Intervention Specialist
Independent Contractor / Behavioral Intervention Therapist
If you’d like more information, check out my profiles on Psychology Today (here), and LinkedIn (here).