Find Therapists, Counselors and Psychologists in Whittier, California
Find a therapist in Whittier, California that meets your needs. Browse our comprehensive list of affordable and licensed therapists in Whittier to find a professional specializing in counseling people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and more.
Renee Bynum, LMFT
Welcome, and thank you for your time in learning more about me! My name is Renee Bynum and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, client-centered, mindfulness and solution-focused counseling. My clinical experience includes working with children, adolescents, adults, and families dealing with a variety of mental health issues Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 4 years
Dabney Worth, LCSW
I have been a clinical social worker for over 30 years working with individuals, couples and families dealing with a variety of life issues including depression, anxiety, grief, loss, life and health crisis, and life transitions. My approach is warm and gentle, yet insightful and to the point. I create an inviting atmosphere where my clients feel comfortable to delve deep to bring about peace of mind and profound change. My approach incorporates Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 32 years
Dr. Rebecca Gehlke, PsyD, MA, LMFT
Welcome to BetterHelp and for taking the first step toward a better, healthier you! The process of finding a therapist can be overwhelming, so I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in an upper-middle class family in Southern California where I rode horses competitively as a pre-teen, but also spent the majority of my weekends playing volleyball at the beach. I went on to a prominent Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 18 years
Emily Vierra, LMFT
Welcome! My name is Emily Vierra and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. Many of us experience difficulties at different points in our lives and need help to overcome these obstacles. It takes courage to ask for help and I commend you for reaching out. Many of us need a safe place to share our feelings and I am here to help you talk openly without judgment. I approach therapy with Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 13 years
Beth Deja, LCSW
People come to therapy for a variety of reasons. Sometimes you are in crisis mode, and sometimes you just need someone to talk to for support. My goal is to help you manage distress, as well as help you determine where your issue comes from in the first place. Originally from Michigan, I gave up cold winters for the palm trees of sunny San Diego. I am empathetic, nonjudgmental, and authentic with a Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 10 years
Jasmynn Smith, MA, LMFT
I earned my M.A. in clinical psychology with a focus in marriage and family therapy from Pepperdine University in 2012. Since then, I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, I have worked as a Residential Assistant in a group treatment home for women with Borderline Personality Disorder and emotion regulation issues. Currently, I work as a primary therapist at an outpatient group practice in the South Bay region of Los Angeles where Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 8 years
Lisa Rose, LMFT
I am glad that you are reaching out for help; that is the first step and shows a tremendous amount of strength and courage on your part. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California with over 25 years of counseling experience. I have worked with clients with many different struggles including addiction, relational issues, depression, anxiety, empowerment and self-esteem issues. I use many different therapeutic Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 25 years
Dr. Ethan Bregman, Ph.D.
My name is Dr. Ethan Bregman and as a clinical psychologist, I have counseled adults in many areas of life difficulties. I utilize several strategies including but not limited to Mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Supportive Models and Brief Solution Focused. I work with individuals who struggle with depression and anxiety as well as adjustment to life circumstances and challenges. My counseling style is interactive and non-judgmental, utilizing empathy and Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 12 years
Sarah Franco, LCSW
Hi! I am a licensed clinical social worker who has been working in the field for over 15 years. I graduated from graduate school in 2008 and have been a licensed clinician for over 7 years. I also supervised clinicians while they were working toward licensure for 3 years, teaching and mentoring them on how to be competent and well-rounded clinicians. Thus, I have had to stay up-to-date on the newest therapy Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 11 years
Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT
Hello, I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of California and have an online therapy practice. I completed my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2009. I have worked in various settings including outpatient, school-based, and residential, and have provided therapy to a diverse group of clientele on a wide-range of concerns. I specialize in providing therapy to individuals, teens, couples and families who are struggling with Read More...- Languages: English
- Experience: 10 years
Nicole Nemiroff , LMFT in CA, MA Clinical Psychology,
Hi, I am Nicole Nemiroff, MA LMFT. I help people on their path. I offer my clients my care, dignity, intellect, compassion, and experience. My practice uniquely infuses behavioral methods (to get you lived results) with mindfulness and creative inquiry. It is an honor to do this work and I pledge to use my power of psychotherapy to support healing, empowerment, and justice for humans, non-human beings and our Earth. I am here as a co-conspirator with people of color, indigen
- Languages: English. Limited French and Spanish
- Experience: 10+ years
Hilary Gordon , LCSW
My mission is to empower individuals in a time of crisis & assist them in personal growth and looking at new perspectives. I can provide a safe & nurturing virtual environment for anyone to open up & seek a better understanding of their feelings.
- Languages: English
- Experience: 8 years
An Overview of Mental Health in Whittier, California
Just 12 miles from Los Angeles, Whittier is home to just over 87,000 people inside its 14.8 square miles. This is one of the more economically stable areas with a median household income of $73,886 as of 2016, which was higher than the state median at that time by about $6,000. Estimated median real estate values in Whittier are approximately $30,000 higher than the state median. The population of the city is predominantly Hispanic (66.3 percent), followed by 25 percent Caucasian people, and 5.4 percent Asian residents. The remaining individuals are from a variety of groups each representing less than 1 percent of the population.
Another appealing aspect of living in Whittier is the crime rate of 248.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average. Only a small percentage of crimes are violent with the vast majority being offenses against property. Jobs are plentiful, and the unemployment rate of 4.8 percent is lower than the state average as well. Even the weather contributes to the pleasantness of living in Whittier. Typical for this part of California, Whittier receives much less precipitation than the rest of the United States through the spring and summer months.
However, even in this idyllic setting, people still need help dealing with mental health challenges and their overall emotional well-being. As part of Los Angeles County, Whitter was evaluated as part of the Community Health Needs Assessment published in 2016 by PIH Health Hospitals. Los Angeles County did not meet its targets in terms of mental and behavioral health when compared to the rest of the state and the Healthy People 2020 benchmarks. The same was true for substance abuse. Mental health care was one of the top three health issues, along with obesity and cardiovascular disease, found to be having a severe or very severe impact on the community.
Barriers to Mental Health Care in Whittier, California
Whittier is part of Service Planning Area 7 in the Community Health Needs Assessment. In this region, respondents indicated that mental health needs were significant.
- Of adults responding, 9.2 percent reported serious psychological distress in the last year.
- Approximately 21 percent indicated needing help for emotional and/or substance abuse issues in the past year. However, only 12.2 percent of the population actually received that type of help.
- Almost half of the responding population reported needing mental health and/or substance abuse services and being unable to access it.
- For teenagers responding to the survey, 18.9 percent reported needing help with emotional or mental health difficulties in the past year. Stress is cited as a primary cause of mental health distress among teens.
- The community includes a high percentage of foreign born and non-English speakers. This population is more susceptible to a perceived stigma associated with seeking out help with mental health difficulties.
- In spite of increasing availability of insurance coverage for behavioral and mental health services, copays and deductibles are high and benefits are limited.
Innovation in Whittier, California
As awareness has grown about these issues, the Whittier Police Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) entered into an innovative partnership. Together these two agencies create the Whittier Mental Health Evaluation Team (WMHET). Officers and mental health professionals work together to handle calls involving people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The teams can also respond to situation that call for a social services intervention. Once the initial emergency has passed, the WMHET arranges for follow up and ongoing care. Besides leading to better outcomes for consumers, this approach has led to an improved relationship between law enforcement and the provider community.
How to Find the Help You Need in Whittier, California
If you’re looking for the help of a qualified mental health professional in Whittier, E-Counseling.com offers a directory to help you find the information you need quickly and anonymously. This comprehensive list includes each provider’s credentials, level of experience, and any specialties. You can also read a statement written by each counselor or therapist, so you can get a sense of how he or she approaches the therapeutic relationship. Consumers find this helpful in identifying someone they can work with comfortably without having to waste time on phone calls and visits that don’t help them get better.