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Heather Totten, LMFT

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  I earned my masters degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles and completed several years of rigorous training and thousands of hours gaining clinical experience before licensure. In my private practice I treat individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children. Over the length of my career I have worked with clients of all ages, cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. I have worked extensively counseling clients struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief and developmental trauma.

 

I am committed to being the most effective therapist possible and I continue to train and consult with clinical experts in order to insure that you receive beneficial and lasting results.

 

My Therapeutic Approach

My practice is dedicated to listening carefully to my clients' concerns and offering insight with compassion and understanding. I provide a warm, empathetic and non-judgmental space where we work collaboratively together to identify obstacles and formulate strategies to help you unlock your full potential, pursue your goals, and make the changes in your life you are seeking.

My therapeutic style is active, engaging, warm and direct. Clients have expressed an appreciation for my transparent, down to earth nature and my ability to quickly understand their feelings and experience. I love the work that I do and feel honored and privileged to be entrusted with helping people better understand themselves so they can make healthier and more satisfying choices in their lives.

 

My Theoretical Orientation

I have been trained in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities. My primary theoretical orientation is psychodynamic and relational, which means that I often pay special attention to how interpersonal dynamics may be relevant in your symptoms and struggles, and how interpersonal experiences throughout your life may contribute to your current pattern of relating. Through developing insight, we can work together to determine which aspects of these patterns are working for you and which aspects are not. These insights can be a catalyst to significant positive life changes.

During our work together I frequently incorporate cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking styles that may contribute to your symptoms and struggles. Through this process we will actively challenge and replace maladaptive thoughts and beliefs with more realistic and helpful alternatives. I will also assist you in concrete and active problem-solving as needed, which may include developing specific behavioral plans and coping strategies.

 

Approach
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