Introduction to Psychotherapy
Dr. Barbara Freedman is a Psychotherapist/Hypnotherapist based in Calabasas and has served San Fernando Valley, Conejo Valley, and Simi Valley for over 20 years.
Psychotherapy is a way of helping people overcome stress, emotional problems, relationship difficulties, or even habits. You and I will talk about what is bothering you and what changes you would like to make in order to achieve some balance in your life. Since I practice Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy, we will work together to identify and understand your problems in terms of how your thoughts affect your feelings, which affect your behavior, or what you do with your feelings.
We will establish a plan on how to work through the upsets; you will learn skills and tools to help you move in the proper direction. I will help you to work in the "here and now" rather than dwelling on the past. While your past is important, it is how you let the past interfere with your present that will ultimately impact your future.
When you make an appointment to come in for therapy, it's natural to think, "How can a total stranger help me?" However, after we had our first phone conversation and set up an appointment, my expectations were that we would no longer be strangers. A relationship based on trust is essential for your success. All you must bring to our session is a desire for change, and I will share with you a belief that a constructive goal can be reached that I will help you to attain. I will guide you through your journey, and you will come away with a better understanding of yourself and how you relate to others.
Being a former elementary school teacher with a Master of Science degree in Education, the mother of three sons, and a new grandma to the cutest little baby boy, working with children and adolescents comes naturally to me. Of course, I also include the parents in my therapy program. I begin the first session by seeing the entire family and then will see your child regularly, with the parents returning for parenting tips and to discuss successful methods to help you help your child. I will go to the schools to advocate for your child as well. I use "Play Therapy" with the younger children, as well as solution-focused brief therapy, role-play, as well as other theoretical modalities.
I also work with couples in pre-marital couples counseling and relationship concerns, as well as marriage counseling and divorce and separation counseling when necessary. Of course, I also work with individuals. I have been married for over 46 years and have been a nationally syndicated advice columnist for seven years. I look forward to working with you. You can contact me on this website, or you can phone me at (818) 222-4911. Thank you for visiting my website, and please take very good care of yourself.