Eileen Houtzer

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, I am dedicated to providing compassionate counseling services to individuals and couples in California. With a master's degree in Counseling and a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, I have worked in private practice, community college, hospital, and workplace settings, offering both long-term and short-term treatment for a wide range of mental health concerns. My focus is on helping individuals navigate life's challenges, including aging, anger management, anxiety, behavioral issues, coping skills, depression, domestic violence, grief, job stress, life transitions, men's and women's issues, mood disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem, and stress.

I believe that treatment plans should be built collaboratively between therapist and client, adjusting as circumstances change. Depending on your needs, I draw from various therapeutic models such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, relational and attachment-based approaches, mindfulness, and compassion-focused therapy. As a Polyvagal-informed therapist, we can explore ways to calm and nurture your nervous system for greater peace.

In our work together, there is no right or wrong way to engage in the therapeutic process. We will go at your own pace, addressing the needs that are most important to you. Through open and supportive dialogue, we will work to understand your concerns, help you trust your own capabilities, and explore resilient approaches for managing life's challenges more mindfully and effectively. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel heard, validated, and empowered to make positive changes in your life. Together, we will work to gain insight into your unique experiences, develop practical coping strategies, and cultivate greater self-awareness and self-compassion. Ultimately, I aim to support you in building resilience, strengthening relationships, and finding a greater sense of meaning and purpose.