Isela Edens, ACSW #104096

Welcome, I’m so happy to see you here! I believe therapy is one of the most beautiful gifts we can give ourselves. If you are having a hard time, you’ve come to the right place, you don’t have to do it alone. My goal is to guide and support you through your journey towards healing. In the process, I hope you’ll learn about yourself and find the confidence to show up authentically in all aspects of your life, honoring yourself, so that in turn you can make meaningful relationships and live out your goals. Life happens, struggles and challenges arise, and sometimes we find ourselves struggling to find peace and joy. My goal is to help you process those challenges and teach you skills that can help you during that process.

My name is Isela Edens, I obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Fullerton. I’m currently an ACSW under the supervision of Esteban Juarez. I’ve been in the helping profession for approximately 15 years. I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse populations, under diverse circumstances. My work experience along with my education have given me the tools and exposure to be able to support others with various different backgrounds and challenges. Safety My goal as a therapist is to ensure you feel safe. Many of us can develop maladaptive defense mechanisms that can inhibit that safety.

Healing is Possible

My goal is to reestablish safety with you. I hope to create a safe space where you can be vulnerable enough to share who you are and how you feel. Therapy is a nonjudgemental space where you’re encouraged to feel all of your emotions and embrace vulnerability. Through the use of mindfulness practices, somatic practices, narrative therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Solution Focused Therapy, etc., you can learn to establish safety for yourself and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier ones.

Anxiety

Anxiety Anxiety can often make us feel like we are stuck in a cycle of rumination, we might find ourselves worrying excessively about the future, difficulty managing our thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and perhaps even challenges with sleep. Overall, anxiety can have us feeling “stuck” sometimes. Therapy can be a place to help you learn and utilize effective tools so that you can start to begin to feel in control and more regulated.

Couples Therapy

Are you and your partner feeling as though no matter how hard you try, things are making it difficult for you two to progress or be on the same page? Maybe you are struggling to connect. Couples therapy can be a wonderful tool to help you both understand and improve your relationship dynamics. At times we develop dynamics within our intimate relationship that can hinder our communication and thus connection with the other person. Therapy can be a tool to improve your relationship dynamic, a place where you learn that conflict can actually be helpful in deepening your connection when used effectively.

Self-Esteem/ Relationships

Do you find yourself struggling with who you are, maybe often comparing yourself to others? Is it difficult for you to say no, set boundaries, or communicate how you feel to others? Sometimes the way we feel about ourselves impacts the way we relate to others. Therapy can be a tool that helps you work on your confidence. You can learn that you can accept and like who you are, while simultaneously setting goals that don’t leave you feeling discouraged or critical about yourself.

Trauma/PTSD

Sometimes situations can have a long-lasting effect on us and who we are. Trauma can feel like reoccurring nightmares, intrusive thoughts that are difficult to let go of, difficulty with concentration, and avoidance, along with physical symptoms (muscle tension, increated heart rate, sweating, trembling, etc.). Trauma can arise from our childhood, impacting who we are today and the way we learn to live. Or, trauma can occur from a more recent incident. Either way, there are tools that can help you throughout the process. You don’t have to do it alone. Therapy is a great way to learn about ways to manage those symptoms and increase emotional regulation while sharing your story.

Life Transitions

Change can be difficult, even when change can positively impact our lives. Whether you’re finding yourself struggling due to an unexpected life event, or something you planned out and are having a difficult time adjusting to, either way, therapy can be helpful. Together we can walk through your life transition, allowing you the space to slow down and process the change and your emotions, while building tools that can help you cope. You don’t have to do it alone.

Evidence Based Practices

I use a variety of evidence based approaches that can help you learn the skills and tools to help you manage some of the symptoms above. While I have a very client-centered approach, meaning that I treat every individual uniquely, paying attention to your needs and what works for you, these practices have been studied and served to be very helpful for others.

Narrative Therapy: Narrative therapy can help you process your story in a way that helps you understand your feelings, your perspective, and your challenges. The focus is on helping you understand the problem in a different way, learning ways to externalize your challenges rather than internalize them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a powerful tool that can help you understand how powerful your thoughts are. With that understanding you can learn ways to manage your thoughts, which in turn impact the way you feel and behave.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of psychotherapy that can help you manage your emotions, learn impulse control, and improve your relationships with others.

Mindfulness Practices: This is a type of therapy that can help you learn to be more present in your life. This type of therapy helps us pay more attention to present moment, learning to shift out focus from either the past of future into the now, which can help with emotional regulation.

Solution Focused Therapy: This type of therapy can help us identify and carry out goals. It can help you learn ways to set goals that are manageable and attainable, understanding there can be ways to change problems

I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss your unique needs and explore how we can work together to achieve your therapeutic goals. This initial meeting is an opportunity for us to connect, and for you to ask any questions you may have about the therapeutic process.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for a free 20-minute consultation.

Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes/$140 per session and couples sessions are 50 minutes/$160 per session. 

Email: thetherapistisela@gmail.com

Phone #: 714-494-6997