about Rina…
Is therapy in San Diego, California right for me?
You might be hesitating about contacting a therapist: Can I trust a stranger? Can anybody really help me? Is it OK to focus on myself and make me a priority? Let me tell you a bit about myself and my approach to ease your decision about contacting me for counseling.
My clients
In therapy, I often find myself working with people who function well in life, yet feel that they do not fully “show up” or that they do not “belong.” It is as if their real authentic self shies away because it does not feel safe enough to occupy the space.
Different life stories may lead to one’s sense of discomfort with who they are, noticing differences with others, or not feeling the bond of belonging. If this is also your experience in the world, I would love to sit with you and help you sort it out. We will gently and gradually remove barriers to you feeling comfortable showing up again. I do this work using both individual therapy and couples therapy / marriage counseling.
With many years of experience as a therapist in San Diego, counseling hundreds of people from all walks of life, I find myself using an individually-tailored approach to each and every person or couple that I work with. I have substantial experience practicing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), among other therapeutic approaches. I use these in a soft format, and capitalize on honest talks, touching the pain, laughing, and helping you connect with your strengths. With me, you will summon the courage to exercise the freedom to be you.
My specialties
Two populations that I specialize working with are immigrants / foreigners and people who identify as LGBTQ+. Individuals belonging to both groups may struggle with a sense of belonging, which in turn may affect their level of comfort in being who they are.
I also have specialty working with college and graduate students. I have worked at a university counseling center for close to 20 years and know the ins and outs of working with this population quite well.
Brief personal history
I immigrated to the US over 25 years ago. I am bilingual and provide therapy in both English and Hebrew.
I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and have been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY19800) since 2004.
I have a prior PhD in Neuroscience and use my knowledge about body-mind connections in my practice.
I have a strong commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. I have studied Social Justice and incorporated it in my practice consistently over the years. I care about life experiences of marginalized communities and strive to make this world a better place for all.
Interested in more detail? See here.
Take action — you have waited too long!
I know it can feel like a big step to call a therapist, but I’ll make it easy. We’ll spend 15-minutes on the phone and I’ll let you know how I can help. If I am not the right person, I’ll do my best to get you to the right person. Click here to schedule your 15-minute FREE phone consultation for therapy in San Diego, California, or call me at (858) 330-0065.