Vanessa Katz, Psy.D.
Founder, Clinical Psychologist
License CA PSY 22231
Bilingual in English and Spanish
“Underneath it all, we all yearn to belong. We long to be seen, heard, and accepted for who we are.”
Client Focus:
Individuals, Couples, Families, Young Adults & Adults
Types of Therapy:
Psychodynamic, Relational, Gestalt therapy, Intersubjective, Differentiation based Couples Therapy
Issues:
Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Difficult Parental Relationships, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Parenting
Specialties:
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature or Narcissistic Parents, Attachment Trauma (Childhood Trauma), PTSD, Complex Trauma, Parenting Issues, Mid-life Transitions, Divorce and it’s aftermath, Dating after Divorce, Blended Families, Step-parenting
I believe we don’t always know what causes our unhappiness, we are just tired of feeling that way. If you find yourself here, you are probably looking for change. Positive change and deep healing are possible when built within a strong therapeutic relationship of trust and understanding. This creates a safe environment to explore the relationship you have with yourself and others and how these impact your life.
Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working with people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ages. Being bilingual (English / Spanish) and having lived abroad puts me in a unique position allowing me to understand people’s individual experiences in the given contexts of their lives.
As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over fifteen years in private practice, I provide psychotherapy to Individuals and Couples. I received both my Master of Arts degree (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the well-respected California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, California’s largest and oldest graduate program for psychologists.
I interned at Southern California Counseling Center, Julia Ann Singer Family Services at Vista del Mar, and at the Saturday Center for Psychotherapy where I also completed my postdoctoral training.
In addition to my private practice, I currently provide supervision and training for pre & post-doctoral interns and marriage and family therapy associates at the Saturday Center for Psychotherapy. I have been serving as the Director of Admissions for the last four years, interviewing and accepting potential candidates into our highly competitive training program. As of August 2021, I have been the Co-Executive Director of The Saturday Center as well. My work at The Saturday Center allows me to give back and mentor students and interns in training and challenge them to become their best therapeutic selves.
My practice is rooted firmly in the belief that psychotherapy can help you encounter the fullest, healthiest, and most complete version of yourself.
While I have been trained primarily in Relational Psychodynamic (insight-oriented) and Gestalt (experiential, present-centered) psychotherapy, when appropriate I incorporate other modalities (mindfulness, CBT, and positive psychology).
My style is warm, interactive, direct, and collaborative.
Together we will explore how past experiences impact the relationships you have with others in the present. We will uncover patterns of thinking, behaving, and relating that get in the way of connecting from your best authentic self. Tolerating stress and pain and finding alternative ways to confront life’s challenges are skills you’ll develop in your work with me by gaining a deeper understanding and awareness of yourself and others.
I believe in self-compassion, self-acceptance, empowerment, and resiliency as pillars of my therapeutic approach. My goal is to help my clients find joy, love, and calm in their lives.
Learn more about Dr. Katz on her website.