I was trained in rendering brief and short term therapy since we all want quick results, as well as managed care. How do I do that? I am interactive with my clients and not just provide “talk therapy”, but rather, we will co-create a plan together to help you achieve positive results. I hold my clients accountable and will assign homework since I don’t believe coming in once a week for 45 minutes is sufficient to alter lifelong patterns. I will give you my input, impressions, and at times, challenge you when those defenses are up, and it may not be comfortable to talk about.

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  In life, when we’re faced with challenges, it only promotes growth and strength. At the same time, I will give you the positive regard, reflective listening, and be your cheerleader. I will empower you, not enable you. I’ve been telling my clients since I was 24 years old, “You are the captain of your ship. I am right by your side as your navigator and ultimately, it’s up to you to reach your destination or sink your ship.” Therapy can be uncomfortable when we are asked to face some repressed memories. It is a journey that will aid us in living a more satisfying, happier, and enriching life. Growth is a lifelong process.

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  In my clinical practice since 1993, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Other orientations I pull upon are Gestalt, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, and Behavioral Therapy. Why so many theories? We are not all the same, but rather unique. We do not come from a cookie cutter sheet. I have been treating child abuse since I began as a clinician. What one endures in their childhood, can have lifelong effects onto the individual. I started my career doing much family work in helping parents and their children/adolescents build healthy attachments. In addition, I have been treating substance use among adolescents and adults. Since 1993, I have experience treating depression, anxiety, substance use, marital discord, divorce, family issues, child abuse, trauma, and LGBTQ+ population. I tell my prospective clients to “shop around” in finding the “right” therapist for them.

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  As in life, we are drawn to certain people and may not connect with everyone, which is the same in finding the “right” therapist. Feeling understood and safe is vital in establishing the therapeutic alliance. I will keep it “real” with you and be directive and honest. When I was an adolescent, my goal was to own a corporate travel agency so I can explore the world. While in college, I took my first psychology class and for the first time in my life, I found myself getting good grades. I discovered a strong interest and passion in learning about human behavior. So I  changed my major to psychology. Reflecting back upon my childhood, I was always that observer and would people watch. While in graduate school, a high school friend told me, “Lani decided to go pro.” She knew that I was a mini therapist when a teenager. What also inspired me to be a clinician is that children often do not have a voice.  In some families, they believe, “Children are to be seen, not to be heard.” Thus, I wanted to be their voice to their parents and advocate. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled extensively around the world, which is a big passion of mine. I find it fascinating to learn about one’s culture, rituals, traditions, etc. Not only have I learned from my adventures overseas, but it has been my clients who have also taken me around the world to learn about their culture. We are all teachers to one another. The most rewarding aspect of my job has always been to see my clients grow and change. I’ve been in private practice since 1997. I’ve trained and supervised interns working towards their license from 2001-2022, as a clinical supervisor and clinical director for numerous mental health companies. There hasn’t been a time in my career when I first was an intern in 1993 when I haven’t stopped working with clients. I continue to vision myself working with people as their clinician, even though I may be in a rocking chair. I look forward to knowing you and being by your side in your journey to healing and growth.

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   With all my clients, whether be an individual or a couple,  I assign homework to them to keep therapy “alive” during the week and to think and practice what we are working on in session. I tell my clients that our sessions are the rehearsal and for them to execute the skills we learn in session in their “real life” out there. 

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  During the first appointment with all my clients, I conduct a psychosocial assessment to obtain their history, why they are seeking treatment, and define their treatment goals. I will hold my clients accountable and will follow up with them.

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Outside of work, I'm very active with tennis, Pilates, yoga, boating, sound baths, and spending time with family and friends. My happy place is the beach and being on or in the water.  I got certified as a yoga teacher, which I practice a few times a week. Being in nature always brings me inner peace, whether it be the beach, mountains, jungles, rainforests, or the desert. These are my places of worship.   My number one passion is traveling, which has been my best education. Cultures have always fascinated me. I've traveled to over 40 countries and still exploring. The beautiful people I've met around this globe have been some great teachers to me. I also enjoy working in my garden with many tropical flowers.