Andrew Warren, A.S.W.
Psychotherapist San Pedro
Psychotherapist Adults, Children, Families and Couples
My Approach to Therapy
I appreciate and understand that life throws us challenges that we must overcome. I have come to realize myself that asking for help and accenting help is the first step towards improving your life – ‘no one person should ever be an island.” My therapeutic style builds a foundation of trust by demonstrating empathy, humility, and humor to ease the challenges one may be facing.
Specialties
Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder and other Mental Illnesses
Many adults and children I have worked with describe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Together we will examine how thinking can be shaped by childhood experiences, trauma, culture, and inundation of mass-media idealism. Understanding and/or redefining one’s personal values and identity are important factors when treating anxiety and depression. Providing psychoeducation on genetic predisposition for mental illness reduces stigma and increases a clients willingness to accept treatment.
Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse
Assisting my clients with anger management skills and effective problem solving skills are important aspects of treating domestic abuse and violence. I explore with my clients the impact of social conditioning, culture, trauma, and mass-media influence on their intimate relationships. Engaging how these ideas influence their understanding of masculinity and femininity. Teaching concepts of power and control and discussing explicit and implicit power structures. Understanding and practicing communication skills to identify and appropriately express feelings and emotions. Challenging gender stereotypes of men to reexamine how they assert their masculinity in our society as well as with those they know and love. Ultimately reconnecting my clients to their families and community with improved compassion and understanding.
Substance Abuse
I have worked in a variety of social service settings with transitional age youth and adults experiencing substance abuse. Helping my clients to achieve sobriety as well as reduce harm around substance use. It is important to assess my clients goals as they relate to their substance use and motivate them towards positive change. Many of the clients I have worked with have co-occurring mental health disorders with their substance use. I collaborate with clients to achieve sustained recovery with relapse prevention skills. Understanding substance use disorders are on a continuum from low to severe – for some the goal may be reducing harm around substance use. Ideally motivating my clients to reduce or eliminate substance use is based on the client’s goal and meeting my clients where they are at as we work together towards this positive change.
Children and Parenting
Providing support to children and parents in promoting structure and consistency while maintaining warmth and fun. Educating parents on child development in order to empower them to implement relevant techniques that help the family build resilience and balance. Assisting families in strengthening their collaboration with schools so that consistency extends beyond the home.
Teens and Young Adults
Teens and young adults experience vast developmental changes while navigating a perplexing social environment. In a time when they feel that they are constantly being appraised and evaluated it is valuable to create a safe and comfortable therapeutic refuge that allows them to share without judgement, assumption, or interpretation.
Improving Intimacy and Communication
Facilitating a therapeutic environment where couples can improve communication about intimacy and sex so that care and respect is the foundation in which needs and boundaries can be expressed. Strengthening intimate connections so the pleasure and enjoyment thrive in the relationship.
Professional Experience:
Volunteers of America Los Angeles – Clinical Case Manager
Provide comprehensive clinical case management for Adults dually-diagnosed homeless veterans in a harm reduction setting.
Southern Indian Health Council – Group Facilitator
Facilitated groups for court ordered domestic violence treatment, anger management, and parent education to seven Native American tribes in southern San Diego County.
San Diego City College – Therapist (Intern)
Provided individual therapy (intern) and additional mental health support to student
O’Farrell Charter School – Social Worker (Intern)
Provided 1:1 behavior modification coaching and facilitated social skills and anxiety management groups
North County Solutions for Change – Case Manager
Provided comprehensive case management and assessment of families in transitional housing
New Alternatives, Inc. Therapeutic Behavioral Services – TBS Coach
Facilitated 1:1 behavioral modification interventions with foster and probation youth under age 17.
New Alternatives, Inc. Transitional Housing Program – Case Manager
Provided case management services to former foster and probation youth ages 18-24.
Child Welfare Services (San Diego) – Protective Services Worker
Investigated child abuse allegations and provided family reunification case management.
Education
California State University San Marcos, Master of Social Work
San Diego State University, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Licenses & Professionals Affiliations:
Associated Clinical Social Worker #79887 (California Board of Behavioral Sciences) – Supervised by Alicia MacGowan, LCSW (LCSW#21303)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
“Remaining conscious and aware in day to day life can be especially difficult with the overwhelming demands of family and career. Therapy helps to support individuals explore how they are experiencing their lives, truths, and relationships and improve life satisfaction.”
