KARA CRUZ, LMFT, PMH - C
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Perinatal Mental Health Certified
Hello There and Welcome!
I'm glad you are here. Reaching out for support and taking time for yourself is not always easy and I want to acknowledge your courage and ambition in taking steps to meet your wellness goals.
I'm Kara, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have over 20 years experience working with parents and children who want to work on their emotional wellness. My focus and love for helping others is in working with women and mothers who are experiencing overwhelm, burn out, anxiety, or have had a traumatic event that has changed the way they live their lives.
My goal is to work with you to help you experience healing and to help you reconnect, show up and improve your relationship with yourself.
This is delicate, but important and meaningful work. I love showing up everyday and witnessing women find their spark and joy in life!
THERAPY FOR
Trauma
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Pregnancy/Postpartum
Perimenopause/Menopause
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Anxiety
ADHD
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My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Chapman University and a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy from Brandman University.
I have completed numerous hours of professional development training, focused on the treatment of women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and children and adolescents with behavioral health needs. I have spent over 20 years working with parents and children in a school setting and over 15 years working at local nonprofit agencies in Modesto, California.
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I am a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. I am also trained in EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness (an EMDRIA approved program) and am working towards Certification through further education experience and clinical consultation.
I am also trauma trained. I use mindfulness, somatic and polyvagal based approaches for a "Botton Up" approach to treatment. I also use "Top Down" informed approaches (CBT, DBT) as additional tools when working with clients. I have done my own work and believe in these approaches from first hand experience. I know that this work can be difficult and exhausting, but also beautiful at the same time.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS
(CAMFT)
POSTPARTUM SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL
(PSI)
