Psychiatry & Psychotherapy
Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Eating Disorders
San Pedro and Long Beach California

Psychiatry & Psychotherapy
Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Eating Disorders San Pedro and Long Beach California

 

We provide Psychiatric care for children ages 6 and older, adults and their families

The decision to seek a psychiatric medication evaluation can be overwhelming. We have Mental Health Providers qualified to conduct a medical evaluation and prescribe medications in addition to psychotherapy.

COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGES 6+

  • Major Depression
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Eating Disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Postpartum
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Impulsive Control Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • PTSD
  • Acute Stress Disorder
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Addiction
*List of conditions treated is not complete.  Additional conditions treated.

 

SERVICES

  • Prescription medication
  • Psychotherapy including cognitive behavioral and couples’ therapy
  • Mental health evaluation including diagnosis lab text if necessary
  • Medication evaluations services for adults and children ages 6 and older
  • Full mental health evaluation including diagnostic lab test if necessary.

APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an appointment please phone us at (310) 957-2099 x14. You may also use our visitor feedback form to request an appointment.

FEES AND INSURANCE

We are an out of network providers for all PPO insurance which also includes ILWU/Coastwise Insurance. We bill all insurances and insurance payment is deducted from your fee or we provide a Super Bill which you may mail to your insurance for reimbursement.

Meet our Psychiatric Providers

Jennifer Collins, PA-C

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a comprehensive integrative psychotherapeutic approach.  In research studies, it has shown to be very effective in the treatment of trauma and PTSD symptoms.  However, it can be effective with anxiety, depression and many other symptoms as well.

How can EMDR help me?

Often, our reactions to present events are a result of irrational emotions, beliefs and sensations that are rooted in experiences we had long ago.  EMDR is a structured approach to therapy intended to address those past experiences along with the irrational emotions, beliefs and sensations associated with them so that our reactions to present and future events is more positive.   

What should I expect with EMDR?

EMDR therapy begins with history-taking during which the client and Therapist identify possible targets.  These targets may include recent upsetting events or current situations that leave the client feeling emotionally reactive. 

The next phase of EMDR work is addressing the client’s coping skills and building upon them.  When the client is ready, we will begin addressing the targets with EMDR procedures.

EMDR procedures explore visual images related to memories, negative beliefs about self, and emotions and body sensations.  Part of the process involves bilateral stimulation of the brain.  After several sets of bilateral stimulation, the client is often better able to process these prior experiences and/or arrive at some insights about themselves or their experiences. 

What is bilateral stimulation?


Bilateral stimulation is the visual, auditory or tactile stimulation of both sides of the brain.  During visual bilateral stimulation, the client follows movement back and forth with their eyes.  Auditory stimulation asks the client to listen to alternating tones through a listening device.  Tactile requires the client to hold a tactile device in each hand that alternates vibrations.  The Therapist will ask questions to make sure that the most effective and comfortable method of bilateral stimulation is used based on the client’s individual needs and comfort. 
 

How can I find out more about EMDR?

Please visit EMDR International’s website: http://www.emdr.com/general-information/what-is-emdr/what-is-emdr.html

 

Forgot what we were talking about

Absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, or brain farts, whatever you call it, we all have these moments. We tend to think that our brains are withering away with age but “drawing a blank” may actually be associated with a region of our brain experiencing growth. The Wall Street Journal article linked below explains why these moments might allow us to block peripheral thoughts and be more focused and creative.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/forgive-yourself-for-that-thing-you-forgot-11548169275

Recovery Now  reminds you to bring a fine-tooth comb

We are bombarded with overwhelming amounts of information throughout the day. In the past 2-3 years, misinformation has been wide-reaching on social media platforms. Fake news entered our everyday lexicon and began occupying at least some part of our cognitive bandwidth. Much of the fake news is easy to identify and reject. Most of us are pretty sure that congress doesn’t plan to launch a nuclear bomb at the sun, but even the most discerning of us have fallen victim to misinformation or have at least been perplexed by a thoroughly crafted news story from what appears to be a credible news source. The Psychology Today article linked below discusses why biases and faulty thinking we experience could make us more susceptible to accept fake news.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thoughts-thinking/201902/4-outcomes-lazy-thinking

“Do Not Suffer in Silence”

Postpartum Support Group

San Pedro

Have you been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, depressed or fatigued
with the challenges of pregnancy or motherhood?

If So, Please Attend a Drop-In Support Group
A FREE COMMUNITY SERVICE

Sponsored by Recovery NOW, Inc. & Positive Counseling Center

Location – 916 North Western Avenue, Suite #210, San Pedro, CA 90732

 

Please visit

www.RecoveryNowLA.com

Or

www.PositiveCounselingPsychology.com

To register and inquire about days and times of Postpartum Support group

Also Providing Individual, Couple and Family Psychotherapy for All Matters of Concern

Accepting Most Major Insurances

Humans thrive on relationships; but not all bonds are built on the same strong foundations. Many people live with unhealthy connections – often with friends, family members and co-workers. Codependency occurs when a person derives a sense of worth or purpose from the ability to meet another person’s needs, gain their approval, or elicit certain responses. Ultimately, codependency facilitates dysfunctional behavior patterns that prevent individual growth and independence.

Help for Codependence

Humans thrive on relationships; but not all bonds are built on the same strong foundations. Many people live with unhealthy connections – often with friends, family members and co-workers. Codependency occurs when a person derives a sense of worth or purpose from the ability to meet another person’s needs, gain their approval, or elicit certain responses. Ultimately, codependency facilitates dysfunctional behavior patterns that prevent individual growth and independence.

You may need treatment for codependence if you:

  • Feel overwhelming desire for another person’s approval
  • Accept unreasonable behavior and disrespectful behavior from a loved one
  • Make excuses for your loved one’s addiction
  • Fear rejection or abandonment
  • Do not have your own hobbies and interests
  • Put the needs of others ahead of your own
  • Have difficulty meeting your own responsibilities because you are too busy helping others
  • Need others to define who you are
  • Have difficulty making your own decisions
  • Apathetic – Not caring about what happens in your own life
  • Controlling behavior of others
  • Unable to tell people when they are bothering you and instead of saying something, may withhold love or behave differently towards others without them knowing why

Codependency does not have to mean ending a relationship. You can still maintain connections with your loved ones – only in a healthier, more meaningful way. If you feel that you may be in one or more codependent relationships, we want to help you establish a sense of healthy independence and prevent you from sabotaging your own happiness with the needs and demands of others.

Many codpendents may engage in behavior that enables addiction to continue when it may not have otherwise done so if the enabling behavior stopped. We have included the following definition from wikipedia as a reference to define enabling:

Enabling in Addiction

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Common examples of enabling can be observed in the relationship between the alcoholic/addict and a codependent spouse or a parent. The spouse may attempt to shield the addict from the negative consequences of their behavior by calling in sick to work for them when they are hungover or binging on substances, making excuses that prevent others from holding them accountable, and generally cleaning up the mess that occurs in the wake of their impaired judgment. In reality, what the spouse is doing may be hurting, not helping. Enabling can tend to prevent psychological growth in the person being enabled, and can contribute to negative symptoms in the enabler. 

What are Men’s Issues?

Men’s issues are as valid as women’s issues, but until recently they have received little attention from the media or public policy. This page is intended as an introduction to men’s issues, which are part of the broader men’s movement.

First of all, it is important to realize that most people in the men’s movement aren’t interested in pushing women into subservience. While their approaches may vary, most men’s advocates are interested in addressing the disparities that have increasingly affected men and boys in (mostly) Western nations since the late 1960s. This is an essential part of achieving gender fairness for both sexes.

Second, the men’s movement is not just a concern of white men, or just of straight men. Men’s issues affect all men and boys, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

The men’s movement exists because men and boys are at a disadvantage in several important areas in today’s politically correct social structure. Laws and conventions originally intended to encourage equal rights for women have evolved into special privileges without responsibility for women and an elevated status for women only. This is taking place against a backdrop of misandry (hatred of men) in society. The result has been serious harm to many areas of society, such as family structure, education, and social services programs. Ironically, this has had a negative impact on women in general, and on children in particular.

Why is therapy helpful specifically for Men’s issues?

The various roles man have in society as well as and in the family has led to certain pressures that are unique to Men. Unrealistic expectations of Men’s bodies and impossible standards for a man’s multiple roles as mother, wife, care-taker and career man as well as unachievable goals for work life balance can lead to a man’s diminished sense of self. Fortunately, psychotherapy helps to challenge these negative distortions and help to form a realistic and accurate sense of self. We can help empower you to take control of your life, balance your needs and wants with the expectations of others in order to start living the life you want to live.

Will my family suffer if I go to therapy?

This is a common fear for Men seeking therapy to work on their own personal issues but actually the opposite is more common. If you are suffering silently without seeking help, this struggle is inevitably going to affect your family. Though getting help will take some time away from your family, that time is extremely valuable to you, them, and your relationship. By seeking help and focusing on improving your own issues you are much more able to show love and support to your family.

Codependency in San Pedro & South Bay

Are you feeling overwhelmed with concern about a loved one’s problems to the point of interfering with your own feelings and responsibilities?

If so you may be involved in a codependent relationship. This is a relationship where one sacrifices their own wants, needs, hopes and desires for the sake of another individual. So much so that they actually experience a loss of a sense of self. This can happen in any friendship, romantic relationship or parent-child relationship.

What causes Codependency and how did this happen to ME?

Codependency may be present in any dysfunctional relationship; not only those where alcohol/drugs are present.

There are many factors to consider and everyone is unique. Some common possibilities are:

Your own family of origin concerns and concerns about your loved one are an important part of your recovery. In addition, the possibility exists your children could continue the cycle of codependence and/or you may find another codependent relationship if you left this one.

Has your loved one just entered treatment or are they still using or drinking? Do you think the problem is theirs, not yours?

Unfortunately, you too have been affected by your loved one’s problem and require your own support and assistance. Without your own help and support, you may continue to have feelings of anger, frustration, betrayal & lack of self-worth. Everyone in the family needs help to recover from the long-ranging effects of substance use. Consider getting help for you and your family. Without the proper treatment, even if you left this relationship, you may find another codependent relationship.

Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to grow, even though the people we love are not ready to change.                                                                   We let them go and let ourselves grow.

– The Language of Letting Go

San Pedro & Long Beach

 

 

 

No one would discourage you from receiving help for cancer.  

Mental Illness is an illness that requires treatment. 

Your life will improve when you know

and understand how to face your illness.

 

Are you wondering if you or your loved one is suffering from a mental illness?

We provide education, support and resource information for family members in order to make this determination.  Do you require the assistance of an Interventionist to motivate your loved one to change? If a loved one’s mood, thoughts or behavior is leaving you feeling overwhelmed, please seek a consultation.  Our services will provide support and understanding how to assist your loved one with their mental illness and improve your own self-care.  

How did this happen?

There are a number of factors affecting an individual’s mental health. One does not choose to have a mental illness, a mental illness chooses him or her. Some mental illnesses have a genetic link and may manifest between childhood years and early 30’s. Other mental conditions, such as ADD/ADHD may be evident in the pre-school years, but are often missed until adulthood after an individual has struggled throughout most of his/her life.

A mental health diagnosis can happen at any point in one’s life. No one is immune from mental illness. You see, everyone has a breaking point at which a number of significant stressors may compromise their mental health. If you are struggling to make sense of a change in mood, thoughts and behavior, you should seek an evaluation.

Have you been diagnosed with a mental illness or wondering if you’re suffering from a mental illness?

Whatever the case, the challenges of life complicated by mental illness can be devastating. Learning how to manage or recover from a mental illness is a process requiring a Therapist with knowledge and experience working with individuals in this situation. Psychotherapy, Art Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy allows for a unique understanding of the challenges you face. Life can improve when you know and understand how to face and mange the illness.

Depression Screening Test Available

ADD/ADHD Self-Tests Available

Resources Drug/Alcohol in San Pedro

Alternative Support Groups:

Treatment Centers:

12-Step Supports Groups & Meeting Directories:

Support Groups for Families and Friends of Alcoholics and Addicts:

Sober Livings:

Recovery Newspaper:

Organizations: