Trusted Partners
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The clinicians listed as Trusted Partners are personal colleagues and trusted professionals with whom I've had the pleasure of working alongside. Many of these individuals hold Masters Degrees from USC, the esteemed #3 ranking School of Social Work in California and #25 in the nation. Others have acquired highly skilled mental health care experience while working for the highly selective California state government.
Finding the right therapist is crucial, and it's essential to determine if we are a good fit for each other. As a human being with unique traits and flaws, I recognize that I may not be the perfect match for everyone who consults with me.
If, during our consultation, you feel that we are not a good fit, I am more than willing to assist you in identifying compatible referrals from my Trusted Partners network. Your well-being and comfort are my top priorities, and I want to ensure that you find the best possible therapeutic fit to support your journey.
How do I know if it's a good fit?
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Determining if it's a good fit with a therapist involves considering several essential factors:
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1. Personality: Assess whether you can establish a positive rapport with the therapist based on their presenting personality traits. Consider what kind of approach you prefer – whether you need someone who is stoic, bubbly, nurturing, direct, or spiritual, among other characteristics. During your consultation, you can observe these traits to see if you feel comfortable and supported
2. Specialities: It's essential to find a therapist with knowledge or specialized training in the specific issues you are facing. Consider the importance of having a provider who is well-versed in addressing your concerns. A specially trained therapist can offer targeted interventions that align with your needs.
3. Pricing and Fees: Consider your financial situation and preferences regarding payment. Determine if you need a provider who accepts insurance to cover your sessions. If cost is a concern, you might seek a provider with a sliding fee scale, which can offer more affordability and flexibility in pricing.
Overall, the process of finding the right therapist involves careful consideration of your personal preferences, needs, and circumstances. It's essential to feel comfortable and confident in the therapeutic relationship, as it greatly impacts the effectiveness of the treatment. During the consultation, you can openly discuss these aspects with the therapist to assess if it's a good fit and make an informed decision about your mental health care journey.
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Margot Charkow-Ross, LCSW, LICSW
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Serving Geographic Region: The State of California and the State of Washington
Service Delivery: Telehealth only
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Adults and Young Adults aged 16 and up
Specialized Issues: Mood disorders, trauma, life changes, goal setting, and more
Special Skills/Certifications: EAGALA Certified Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Telemental Health Provider
Treatment Style: Educational, Focusing on the Present, Friendly, Holistic, Humoristic, & Straight Forward
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Andréa M. Jones, LCSW
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Serving Geographic Region: The State of California for Telehealth. Cypress, California/Orange County for In-Office
Service Delivery: Telehealth, limited in-office availability
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Amanda Lockie, LCSW
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Profile
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Serving Geographic Region: Ridgecrest, California
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Nicole R. Luk, Ph.D., PSY23087
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Serving Geographic Region: Fresno, CA and the State of California
Service Delivery: Telehealth and In-Person
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only
Accepting new clients?: No
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Specialized Population: Adults
Specialized Issues: Mood disorders, personality disorders, PTSD
Special Skills/Certifications: Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDR Consultant-in-Training, HeartMath Certified Practitioner; Group presentations on EMDR, DBT, and HeartMath
Treatment Style: EMDR, DBT, and HeartMath to support insight-oriented psychodynamic therapy
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Alisha Manning, LCSW, PMH-C
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Serving Geographic Region: Los Angeles, CA (Office located in West LA, near UCLA and VA Medical Center) and the State of California
Service Delivery: Currently Telehealth only, will offer in-person service in the future
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only, sliding scale available
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Women of Color, Young Adults (18-25) and Adults
Specialized Issues: Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, women's issues
Special Skills/Certifications: Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Perinatal Mental Health
Treatment Style: Eclectic. "I am able to adapt and be flexible depending on the clients' personality."
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Matthew Pulling, PsyD
matthew-pulling.clientsecure.me
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Serving Geographic Region: Pasadena, CA
Service Delivery: In-Office sessions, only
Insurance and Fees: Optum, United Healthcare, and Private Pay
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Adults. LGBTQIA2S+. Asians and Latinx/Hispanic.
Specialized Issues: Trauma, Developmental Disorders, Mood Disorders, PTSD
Treatment Modalities: Cognitive behavioral and humanistic principles, psychodynamic, attachment, and object relations theory.
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Angela Shankman, LCSW
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Serving Geographic Region: Agoura Hills, CA and the State of California
Service Delivery: Primarily offering Telehealth service, please inquire about limited in-person session availability.
Insurance and Fees: Out of Network, can provide Superbill. $150 per session. Please inquire about sliding scale.
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population/Issues: Older teens and young adults struggling with trauma and/or addiction, and LGBTQIA+ affirmative care.
Special Skills/Certifications: Weekly Support Group for LGBTQIA+ identifying teens. Equine Assisted Life Coaching in Malibu, California.
Treatment Style: Eclectic, Compassionate. "I seek to provide very specialized care and a therapeutic relationship with each client. I use Compassionate Inquiry, which is a gentle yet deep way to explore trauma and our perceptions and beliefs."
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Aman Singh, LCSW
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Serving Geographic Region: The State of California
Service Delivery: Telehealth only
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Men of Color, Adults
Specialized Issues: Depression, Life Transitions, Grief, Anxiety
Treatment Modalities: Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ("CBT"), Strength-Based Focus, Mindfulness, Self-Empowerment
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Kimberly Weimer, LCSW
The Lotus Healing Center: lotus-healing-center.com
559.756.9608
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Serving Geographic Region: Porterville, CA and the State of California
Service Delivery: In-person and Telehealth
Insurance and Fees: Accepts insurance from BHN, Beadon, Anthem Blue Cross, and United Health Care. Super bill available upon request. Sliding scale offered for those without insurance.
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Young Adults and Adults, age 16+ interested in Holistic Wellness
Specialized Issues: Autoimmune Disorders, Depression, & Anxiety
Treatment Modalities Used: Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ("CBT"), Dialectical Behavior Therapy ("DBT"), and Hypnosis
Special Skills/Certifications: Exposure Response Therapy with extensive experience treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ("OCD"). Teaching meditation, breath work, and yoga.
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Daniela Zanich, LCSW
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Serving Geographic Region: Los Angeles, CA and the State of California
Service Delivery: Telehealth only at this time
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only, $175 per 50 minute session. Superbill provided. Limited sliding scale slots. Free consultation.
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Teens and Young Adults
Specialized Issues: Depression, Life Transitions, Grief, Suicide Loss Survivors, Suicide Attempt Survivors
Treatment Style: Direct, relatable, passionate
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Margot Charkow-Ross, LCSW, LICSW
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Serving Geographic Region: The State of California and the State of Washington
Service Delivery: Telehealth only
Insurance and Fees: Private Pay Only
Accepting new clients?: Yes
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Specialized Population: Adults and Young Adults aged 16 and up
Specialized Issues: Mood disorders, trauma, life changes, goal setting, and more
Special Skills/Certifications: EAGALA Certified Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Telemental Health Provider
Treatment Style: Educational, Focusing on the Present, Friendly, Holistic, Humoristic, & Straight Forward
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Rachel Ralston, LCSW
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Serving Geographic Region: State of New York
Service Delivery: Telehealth and In-Person
Insurance and Fees: Accepts insurance from Optum, Oscar, United, and Oxford. Accepts Private Pay.
Accepting new clients?: No, waiting list only
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Specialized Population: Adolescents and Youth. Also works with adults.
Specialized Issues: Depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and adoption and foster care issues.
Special Skills/Certifications: Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Treatment Style: Warm, Supportive, Enthusiastic, Humoristic
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Candace Sam, LCSW
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Serving Geographic Region: Vernal, Utah (Uintah Basin area) and the State of Utah
Service Delivery: Telehealth and In-Person
Insurance and Fees: Accepts insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and SelectHealth. $95 per session without insurance.
Accepting new clients?: No, waiting list only
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Specialized Population: Children aged 4-12 and teenagers
Specialized Issues: Trauma, ADHD, depression, anxiety, behaviors, attachment and parent relationships
Special Skills/Certifications: In-process to be Registered Play Therapist
Treatment Style: Listener, Nurturing, and Straight Forward when needed