Jenna J. Torres, PsyD

Psychologist | Clinical

595 East Colorado Blvd. 530 Pasadena CA, 91101 Show map

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About

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I am excited to help you achieve your full potential and enhance your quality of life. I work from a strength-based and culturally-sensitive perspective to provide non-judgmental support, compassion, and empathy. Using a collaborative approach and creating an individualized treatment plan, the therapeutic alliance is strengthened and allows you to feel safe, comfortable, and trusting of the treatment process. I am passionate about working together to help you stabilize mental health, improve personal wellness, increase self-esteem, gain insights, learn new coping skills, explore thoughts and feelings, build resiliency, and develop spiritually.

I specialize in treating individuals, children, teens, and families who struggle with depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, personality disorders, trauma and abuse, chemical dependency, disordered eating and distorted body image, toxic shame, communication difficulties, behavioral issues, adjustment transitions, and stress management. I utilize various modalities and evidence based practices of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Structural Family Therapy, play and art therapy, and hypnosis.

I earned my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have been practicing for the past 8 years and have extensive experience working in outpatient community counseling centers with children, adolescents, and adults. I have been the Program Manager at a residential treatment program for teens, the Clinical Director of a substance abuse treatment facility in Los Angeles, and the Clinical Director of an eating disorder treatment program in Orange County.

I hope we have the opportunity to work together and I look forward to meeting you!

Provider Details

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Jenna J. Torres, PsyD

Jenna J. Torres, PsyD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What can a psychiatrist do for PTSD?
Thank you for your question. PTSD can be resolved through different therapeutic approaches, including Somatic Experiencing (SE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Within CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are recommended. Medications have also been found to be helpful in relieving symptoms of PTSD, particularly antidepressants with the strongest evidence supporting Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Some of the most common symptoms of trauma targeted by psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions include: reliving the traumatic experience through flashbacks, avoidance of people and places that trigger the trauma, intrusive memories or nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, numbness, loss of interest, and depression. I hope this information has been helpful! READ MORE
What is the best therapy for fear?
Hi, Thank you for your question. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), an evidence-based practice that utilizes exposure hierarchies to address the compulsive behaviors used to neutralize anxiety that accompanies the obsessive thoughts, has been shown to be highly effective in treating phobias. I highly recommend you seek out some support from a mental health professional to guide you through the process. I hope this has been helpful! Best, *Jenna Torres, PsyD* Licensed Psychologist LifeStance Health (626) 808-4600 x109 READ MORE
Anxiety and depression?
Thank you for your inquiry, although I'm not exactly sure what your question is. It sounds like you may be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, although I would recommend you seek services from a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. I hope this helps. READ MORE
Are my problems major enough to seek help?
Thank you for your question. Intrusive thoughts are part of our normal human experience, however, if they are causing you some kind of disturbance (sleeping, focusing, socially, etc), then I would recommend seeking help from a mental health professional to get some support in coping with them! I hope this helps. READ MORE
What kind of therapy is best for autism?
Hi,Thank you for your question. Here are some therapies that work very well for Autism: *Applied Behavior Analysis* (ABA) is the most-researched and common intervention type for autism. This intervention has been used for over 50 years. Through ABA, the individual can learn play, communication, self-care and social skills. The highly structured intervention can also help in reducing problematic behaviors. Studies showed that ABA yields positive outcomes for children with autism. It is usually the starting point for autistic children with symptoms on the severe side. The therapy can help children learn skills, while also eliminating problem behaviors. Different types of ABA commonly used to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include: - Positive Behavioral and Support (PBS). PBS aims to figure out why a child does a particular problem behavior. It works to change the environment, teach skills, and make other changes that make a correct behavior more positive for the child. This encourages the child to behave more appropriately. - Pivotal Response Training (PRT). PRT takes place in the child's everyday environment. Its goal is to improve a few "pivotal" skills, such as motivation and taking initiative to communicate. These help the child to learn many other skills and deal with many situations. - Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI). EIBI provides individualized, behavioral instruction to very young children with ASD. It requires a large time commitment and provides one-on-one or small-group instruction. - Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT). DTT teaches skills in a controlled, step-by-step way. The teacher uses positive feedback to encourage the child to use new skills. *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy* (CBT) is another form of behavioral therapy that has been in use since the 1960s. Usually children with milder symptoms of autism benefit from this type of therapy. Its aim is to define what triggers the behaviors. Through the use of CBT, children can learn to see when they are going to exhibit a certain behavior, and they practice doing something different instead of problematic behavior. This form of therapy helps with fear and anxiety. *Relationship Development Intervention* (RDI) is a family-centered approach. The aim of RDI is to focus on certain defined emotional and social objectives which are used to establish meaningful relationships. Aimed more towards the parents, RDI consultants help caregivers develop skills related to interpersonal engagement. *Verbal Behavior Therapy* (VBT) is a type of behavioral therapy that teaches the non-vocal child how to communicate with purpose. The aim of verbal behavior therapy is to teach children how to use words functionally to get the desired response. Through repetition, children understand that communication will yield positive results. They will get what they want by using language functionally. *Developmental and Individual Differences Relationship* (DIR) Therapy, also called Floortime, engages children through activities that they will enjoy. Parents will also participate in the session. Therapists will help the child work on gaining new skills. During this therapy, the child will be engaging and interacting with others. *Sensory Integration Therapy* works to improve a child’s sensitivities to sensory stimuli that may be overwhelming to the child. Loud noises, bright lights, and touches may all be addressed. A therapist using this type of therapy will introduce the child to increasingly higher levels of the stimuli being worked on. While the therapist does need to push the child’s limits, there is no force involved. Sensory integration therapy does not require a lot of time per session and positive results usually occur relatively quickly if this is going to work. *Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children* (TEACCH model) is used to help children with autism achieve positive results with their social and maladaptive behaviors. It uses an environment that is structured and organized at all times. In addition, activities are predictably sequenced and visually organized to enhance the environment for the child. Children proceed to practice activities and skills in a specific fashion. Outcomes are more positive when the parents are taught to use a similar method at home. Overall, different types of therapies work better for each individual and finding the right protocol is the key to success. I hope this has been helpful! READ MORE
Can a chiropractor help a child with anxiety?
Thank you for your question. I would recommend that you seek out therapy from a licensed mental health professional who specializes in working with children, teens, and families for support and help with the anxiety your son is experiencing. There are many forms of therapy to treat anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Therapy can also help with practicing anxiety reduction and relaxation techniques, including deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, journaling or stream-of-consciousness writing, drawing or other forms of artistic expression, listening to music, exercising or going for a walk, petting your dog, and reaching out for support from a trusted friend or family member. I would also recommend that you seek out an evaluation from a psychiatrist or primary care physician/pediatrician for medication evaluation for antianxiety or antidepressants. Examples of antianxiety meds include benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin) and non-benzodiazepines (Buspar). Examples of antidepressant meds include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs- Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil)/Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs-Effexor, Cymbalta), Tricyclics (TCAs- Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil), Monoamine-Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs- Nardil, Marplan), and others like Wellbutrin and Remeron.I hope this has been helpful! READ MORE
What is the treatment for aggressive behavior?
Thank you for your question. Five types of therapy are helpful for aggression: - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you learn to identify and change unhelpful behavior patterns and practice more helpful coping techniques. This approach doesn’t focus much on past experiences, but it can help improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. - Psychodynamic Therapy can help you address mental health symptoms and emotional distress by tracing their roots to earlier life events. - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can help you build and practice skills to tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and navigate interpersonal relationships more effectively. - Interpersonal Therapy can help you explore relational challenges that affect your mood and contribute to depression and other mental health symptoms. - Parent management training can help address tense family dynamics or unhelpful parenting tactics contributing to or reinforcing aggressive behavior. In some cases, a therapist might also recommend working with a psychiatrist to explore medication options for aggression. Some psychotropic medications may help ease aggressive thoughts and behaviors that happen with mental health conditions. These include antipsychotics like risperidone (Risperdal) and haloperidol, and mood stabilizers like carbamazepine (Tegretol), lithium, and valproic acid. I hope this has been helpful! READ MORE
How is bipolar treated in kids?
Thank you for your question. Three types of therapy are especially helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder: *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*- In CBT, you examine how your thoughts affect your emotions. You also learn how to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors into more positive ways of responding. For bipolar disorder, the focus is on managing symptoms, avoiding triggers for relapse, and Problem-solving. *Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy*- IPSRT focuses on current relationship issues and helps you improve the way you relate to the important people in your life. By addressing and solving interpersonal problems, this type of therapy reduces stress in your life. Since stress is a trigger for bipolar disorder, this relationship-oriented approach can help reduce mood cycling. Interpersonal therapy is often combined with social rhythm therapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder are believed to have overly sensitive biological clocks, the internal timekeepers that regulate circadian rhythms. This clock is easily thrown off by disruptions in your daily pattern of activity, also known as your “social rhythms.” Social rhythm therapy focuses on stabilizing social rhythms such as sleeping, eating, and exercising. When these rhythms are stable, the biological rhythms that regulate mood remain stable too. *Family Focused Therapy*- Living with a person who has bipolar disorder can be difficult, causing strain in family and marital relationships. Family-focused therapy addresses these issues and works to restore a healthy and supportive home environment. Educating family members about the disease and how to cope with its symptoms is a major component of treatment. Working through problems in the home and improving communication is also a focus of treatment. Other therapies may be helpful as well: *Electroconvulsive Therapy*- ECT is a brain stimulation procedure that can help people get relief from severe symptoms of bipolar disorder. In ECT, electrical currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses. With modern ECT, a person usually goes through a series of treatment sessions over several weeks. ECT is delivered under general anesthesia and is safe. It can be effective in treating severe depressive and manic episodes, which occur most often when medication and psychotherapy are not effective or are not safe for a particular patient. ECT can also be effective when a rapid response is needed, as in the case of suicide risk or catatonia (a state of unresponsiveness). ECT may be an option for bipolar treatment if you don't get better with medications, can't take antidepressants for health reasons such as pregnancy or are at high risk of suicide. *Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*- TMS is a newer approach to brain stimulation that uses magnetic waves. It is delivered to an awake patient most days for 1 month. Research shows that TMS is helpful for many people with various subtypes of depression, but its role in the treatment of the bipolar disorder is still under study. *Light and Dark Therapy*- Like social rhythm therapy, light and dark therapy focuses on the sensitive biological clock in people with bipolar disorder. This easily disrupted clock throws off sleep-wake cycles, a disturbance that can trigger symptoms of mania and depression. Light and dark therapy regulates these biological rhythms and thus reduces mood cycling by carefully managing your exposure to light. The major component of this therapy involves creating an environment of regular darkness by restricting artificial light for ten hours every night. *Mindfulness Meditation*- Research has shown that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and meditation help fight and prevent depression, anger, agitation, and anxiety. The mindfulness approach uses meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises to focus awareness on the present moment and break negative thinking patterns. *Acupuncture*- Some researchers believe that acupuncture may help people with bipolar disorder by modulating their stress response. Studies on acupuncture for depression have shown a reduction in symptoms, and there is increasing evidence that acupuncture may relieve symptoms of mania also. *Medications* may include mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, 2nd generation "atypical" antipsychotics, and antidepressants including SSRIs. Other things you can do to help relieve symptoms of Bipolar Disorder: *Regular Exercise: *Regular aerobic exercise, such as jogging, brisk walking, swimming, or bicycling, helps with depression and anxiety, promotes better sleep, and is healthy for your heart and brain. There is also some evidence that anaerobic exercises such as weightlifting, yoga, and Pilates can be helpful. Check with your healthcare provider before you start a new exercise regimen. *Keeping a Life Chart:* Even with proper treatment, mood changes can occur. Treatment is more effective when a patient and health care provider work together and talk openly about concerns and choices. Keeping a life chart that records daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events can help patients and healthcare providers track and treat bipolar disorder over time. Patients can easily share data collected via smartphone apps including self-reports, self-ratings, and activity data – with their health care providers and therapists. Coping with Bipolar Disorder Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, but there are ways to help make it easier: - Get treatment and stick with it—recovery takes time and it’s not easy. But treatment is the best way to start feeling better. - Keep medical and therapy appointments and talk with the provider about treatment options. - Take all medicines as directed. - Structured activities: keep a routine for eating and sleeping and make sure to get enough sleep and exercise. - Learn to recognize your mood swings and warning signs, such as decreased sleep. - Ask for help when trying to stick with your treatment. - Be patient; improvement takes time. Social support helps. - Avoid misuse of alcohol and drugs. READ MORE
What is the treatment for schizophrenia?
Hi,Thank you for your question. There are many different types of therapies to treat schizophrenia. *Cognitive Behavior Therapy* (CBT) can help change thinking and behavior. A therapist will show you ways to deal with voices and hallucinations . With a combination of CBT sessions and medication, the client can eventually tell what triggers their psychotic episodes (times when hallucinations or delusions flare up) and how to reduce or stop them. CBT can help you feel less distressed about your psychotic experiences, feel less depressed and anxious, reduce alcohol and drug use, deal with suicidal thoughts, and overcome feelings of hopelessness. *Cognitive Enhancement Therapy *(CET) is also called cognitive remediation. It teaches people how to better recognize social cues or triggers, and improve their attention, memory, and ability to organize their thoughts. It combines computer-based brain training and group sessions. *Psychoeducation* helps people with schizophrenia (and their partner or family) understand the illness. Psychoeducation programs explain symptoms, treatment options, recovery, and services that can help. You can have psychoeducation individually or in groups. It can include written information, videos, websites, meetings, or discussions with your case manager or psychiatrist. Your family can help you understand your diagnosis and support you in your treatment. Family psychoeducation programs help the person with schizophrenia and their family communicate better and solve problems. Family psychoeducation is also good for family members. It can be very upsetting to see someone you love become unwell with schizophrenia. *Medications* include newer antipsychotic drugs which are also called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. They’re newer than first-generation drugs. They generally cause fewer side effects, such as repetitive or involuntary movements like eye blinking, than older antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics work about equally as well as older drugs. The one exception is clozapine, which is effective against schizophrenia but doesn’t respond to other treatments. *Electroconvulsive Therapy* (ECT) which attaches electrodes to the person's scalp. While they’re under general anesthesia, doctors send a small electric shock to the brain. A course of ECT therapy usually involves 2-3 treatments per week for several weeks. Each shock treatment causes a controlled seizure. A series of treatments over time leads to improvement in mood and thinking. Scientists don’t fully understand exactly how ECT and the controlled seizures it causes help, although some researchers think that ECT-induced seizures may affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It can help when medications no longer work or if severe depression or catatonia makes treating the illness difficult. Most people with this condition do get better with treatment and support. Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage your stress, and stay connected with your loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help you feel more in charge of your illness and your life. People with schizophrenia do best if they have: - medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the other - medications to manage depression or anxiety if needed - education about their illness (individual psychoeducation) - a supportive partner, family member or friend involved in their care - access to a 24-hour crisis support - a mental health professional who takes care of planning and coordinating their individual care (case management) - support to find and keep a job or continuing education - somewhere safe and affordable to live - support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I hope this information has been helpful! READ MORE
What are psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia?
Hi,Thank you for your question. To help your friend with schizophrenia, here are some psychosocial treatments: 1. Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage stress, and stay connected with loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help feel more in charge of the illness and life. 2. medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the other 3. medications to manage depression or anxiety, if needed 4. education about their illness (individual psychoeducation) 5. a supportive partner, family member or friends involved in their care 6. access to 24-hour crisis support 7. a mental health professional who takes care of planning and coordinating their individual care (case management) 8. support to find and keep a job or continue education 9. somewhere safe and affordable to live 10. support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I hope this information has been helpful! Best, Jenna Torres, PsyD Licensed Psychologist LifeStance Health (626) 808-4600 x109 READ MORE
Can cognitive therapy help with major depressive disorder?
Thank you for your question. Yes, cognitive therapy can help with Major Depressive Disorder. Exploring how a person thinks and feels, examining avoidances, discussing past experiences, and focusing on relationships help you to notice patterns that can be helpful to become aware of so you can change anything unhelpful or maladaptive. There are lots of different kinds of psychotherapy including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), family systems, psychodynamic or psychoanalytic, humanistic-existential therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, play, and art therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and motivational interviewing. Almost anyone can benefit from psychotherapy as it is designed to help a person deal with a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, personality disorders, relationship problems, stress management, anger and irritability, ADHD, behavioral issues, adjustment issues, etc. I hope this information has been helpful! READ MORE
What is the best treatment for schizophrenia?
Hi, Thank you for your question. There are many different types of therapies to treat schizophrenia. *Cognitive Behavior Therapy* (CBT) can help change thinking and behavior. A therapist will show you ways to deal with voices and hallucinations . With a combination of CBT sessions and medication, the client can eventually tell what triggers their psychotic episodes (times when hallucinations or delusions flare up) and how to reduce or stop them. CBT can help you feel less distressed about your psychotic experiences, feel less depressed and anxious, reduce alcohol and drug use, deal with suicidal thoughts, and overcome feelings of hopelessness. *Cognitive Enhancement Therapy *(CET) is also called cognitive remediation. It teaches people how to better recognize social cues, or triggers, and improve their attention, memory, and ability to organize their thoughts. It combines computer-based brain training and group sessions. *Psychoeducation* helps people with schizophrenia (and their partner or family) understand the illness. Psychoeducation programs explain about symptoms, treatment options, recovery, and services that can help. You can have psychoeducation individually or in groups. It can include written information, videos, websites, meetings, or discussions with your case manager or psychiatrist. Your family can help you understand your diagnosis and support you in your treatment. Family psychoeducation programs help the person with schizophrenia and their family communicate better and solve problems. Family psychoeducation is also good for family members. It can be very upsetting to see someone you love become unwell with schizophrenia. *Medications* include newer antipsychotic drugs which are also called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. They’re newer than first-generation drugs. They generally cause fewer side effects, such as repetitive or involuntary movements like eye blinking, than older antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics work about equally as well as older drugs. The one exception is clozapine, which is effective against schizophrenia but doesn’t respond to other treatments. *Electroconvulsive Therapy* (ECT) which attaches electrodes to the person's scalp. While they’re under general anesthesia, doctors send a small electric shock to the brain. A course of ECT therapy usually involves 2-3 treatments per week for several weeks. Each shock treatment causes a controlled seizure. A series of treatments over time leads to improvement in mood and thinking. Scientists don’t fully understand exactly how ECT and the controlled seizures it causes help, although some researchers think that ECT-induced seizures may affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It can help when medications no longer work or if severe depression or catatonia makes treating the illness difficult. Living With Schizophrenia Most people with this condition do get better with treatment and support. Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage your stress, and stay connected with your loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help you feel more in charge of your illness and your life. People with schizophrenia do best if they have: - medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the other - medications to manage depression or anxiety if needed - education about their illness (individual psychoeducation) - a supportive partner, family member or friend involved in their care - access to a 24-hour crisis support - a mental health professional who takes care of planning and coordinating their individual care (case management) - support to find and keep a job or continuing education - somewhere safe and affordable to live - support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. READ MORE
What medication can you take for aggressive behavior?
Thank you for your question. Some medications that may help ease aggressive thoughts and behaviors include antipsychotics like risperidone (Risperdal) and haloperidol, and mood stabilizers like carbamazepine (Tegretol), lithium, and valproic acid. Five types of therapy are also helpful for aggression: - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you learn to identify and change unhelpful behavior patterns and practice more helpful coping techniques. This approach doesn’t focus much on past experiences, but it can help improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. - Psychodynamic Therapy can help you address mental health symptoms and emotional distress by tracing their roots to earlier life events. - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can help you build and practice skills to tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and navigate interpersonal relationships more effectively. - Interpersonal Therapy can help you explore relational challenges that affect your mood and contribute to depression and other mental health symptoms. - Parent management training can help address tense family dynamics or unhelpful parenting tactics contributing to or reinforcing aggressive behavior. READ MORE
Can a behavioral psychologist treat anxiety?
Yes, a behavioral psychologist can treat anxiety. There are many forms of therapy to treat anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Therapy can also help with practicing anxiety reduction and relaxation techniques, including deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, journaling or stream of consciousness writing, drawing or other forms of artistic expression, listening to music, exercise or going for a walk, petting your dog, and reaching out for support from a trusted friend or family member. I hope this has been helpful! READ MORE
What is the best psychological treatment for schizophrenia?
Hi, Thank you for your question. There are many different types of therapies to treat schizophrenia. *Cognitive Behavior Therapy* (CBT) can help change thinking and behavior. A therapist will show you ways to deal with voices and hallucinations . With a combination of CBT sessions and medication, the client can eventually tell what triggers their psychotic episodes (times when hallucinations or delusions flare-up) and how to reduce or stop them. CBT can help you feel less distressed about your psychotic experiences, feel less depressed and anxious, reduce alcohol and drug use, deal with suicidal thoughts, and overcome feelings of hopelessness. *Cognitive Enhancement Therapy *(CET) is also called cognitive remediation. It teaches people how to better recognize social cues or triggers, and improve their attention, memory, and ability to organize their thoughts. It combines computer-based brain training and group sessions. *Psychoeducation* helps people with schizophrenia (and their partner or family) understand the illness. Psychoeducation programs explain symptoms, treatment options, recovery, and services that can help. You can have psychoeducation individually or in groups. It can include written information, videos, websites, meetings, or discussions with your case manager or psychiatrist. Your family can help you understand your diagnosis and support you in your treatment. Family psychoeducation programs help the person with schizophrenia and their family communicate better and solve problems. Family psychoeducation is also good for family members. It can be very upsetting to see someone you love become unwell with schizophrenia. *Medications* include newer antipsychotic drugs which are also called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. They’re newer than first-generation drugs. They generally cause fewer side effects, such as repetitive or involuntary movements like eye blinking, than older antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics work about equally as well as older drugs. The one exception is clozapine, which is effective against schizophrenia but doesn’t respond to other treatments. *Electroconvulsive Therapy* (ECT) which attaches electrodes to the person's scalp. While they’re under general anesthesia, doctors send a small electric shock to the brain. A course of ECT therapy usually involves 2-3 treatments per week for several weeks. Each shock treatment causes a controlled seizure. A series of treatments over time leads to improvement in mood and thinking. Scientists don’t fully understand exactly how ECT and the controlled seizures it causes help, although some researchers think that ECT-induced seizures may affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It can help when medications no longer work or if severe depression or catatonia makes treating the illness difficult. Living With Schizophrenia. Most people with this condition do get better with treatment and support. Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage your stress, and stay connected with your loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help you feel more in charge of your illness and your life. People with schizophrenia do best if they have: - medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the other - medications to manage depression or anxiety if needed - education about their illness (individual psychoeducation) - a supportive partner, family member, or friends involved in their care - access to a 24-hour crisis support - a mental health professional who takes care of planning and coordinating their individual care (case management) - support to find and keep a job or continuing education - somewhere safe and affordable to live - support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. READ MORE
Can family therapy help with anxiety?
Thank you for your question. Yes, family therapy can help with anxiety! There are many techniques used in family therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Therapy, Humanistic/Existential Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFST), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Behavior Modification, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Positive Parenting Program (PPP), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Play/Art Therapy. READ MORE
Is psychotherapy effective for the elderly?
Hi, Thank you for your question. Yes, psychotherapy can be very helpful for the elderly! I hope this has been helpful! Best, *Jenna Torres, PsyD* Licensed Psychologist LifeStance Health (626) 808-4600 x109 READ MORE
What does a psychologist do for learning disabilities?
Thank you for your question. There are many ways a psychologist could help someone who has learning disabilities to improve reading, writing, and math skills, including exploring visual, auditory, and kinesthetic multimodal learning styles, practicing various strategies (repetition, mnemonic devices, visualization), and exploring new adaptive responses for self-awareness and self-confidence. Treatment usually includes both strengthening the skills and developing a learning strategy tailored to take advantage of the person's strengths. For example, repetition and mnemonic devices might make it easier to memorize a math formula, and drawing a picture to illustrate a word problem might help to visualize what is being asked. Treatment for a learning disorder often also involves multimodal teaching. If your daughter has trouble comprehending a subject with her eyes and ears alone, other senses such as touch, taste, and even smell can play a role in the learning process. Similarly, learning to convert one sort of problem into another format may help (e.g. changing a traditional math problem into a word problem). A learning specialist can help determine the services or accommodations a person might benefit from. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, in particular, may also be helpful in treating the emotional and behavioral problems that can accompany a learning disorder. For *impairment in reading*: · *Special teaching techniques.* These can include helping the person learn through multisensory experiences and by providing immediate feedback to strengthen the person's ability to recognize words. · *Use of technology.* People with impairment in reading may benefit from listening to books on tape or using word-processing programs with spell-check features. For *impairment in written expression*: · *Use of technology.* A person can be taught to use word-processing programs or an audio recorder instead of writing by hand. For *impairment in mathematics*: · *Use of memory aids*. Rhymes and music are among the techniques that can be used to help a person remember math concepts. I hope this has been helpful! *Jenna Torres, PsyD* Licensed Psychologist LifeStance Health (626) 808-4600 x109 READ MORE
My wife's severe anger?
Hi, Thanks for reaching out although I'm not sure what your question is. The best therapy for anger management is done by a Certified Anger Management Specialist. This therapy helps a person learn to manage anger by first identifying the feeling and the factors that contribute to feeling that way (underlying causes of the anger), and then learning healthy coping skills to use. Coping skills can include reading, listening to music, writing/journaling, calling a friend or talking to someone about the situation, playing with a pet, deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness and meditation, drawing, or other forms of artistic expression, exercise or going for a walk, etc. READ MORE
Do children of divorce need therapy?
Hi, Thanks for your question. Children of divorce do not necessarily need therapy, but it can be a helpful place for your child to process her thoughts and feelings, express her experience, and work through any emotional challenges with a professional mental health care provider. I would recommend you seek out help if you notice your daughter's behavior or emotions change in a negative way or seem unusual. Hope this helps! READ MORE

Internships

Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services

What do you attribute your success to?

Her passion for working with people, building relationships with people and helping them live their best life.She also attributes her success to her husband brandon for all of his support.