About me...
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice that continues to develop myself professionally. I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy and trained in a number of other trauma related modalities including Brainspotting, AF-EMDR (Attachment Focused-EMDR), TRM1 and TRM2 (Trauma Resiliency Model) and TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) . As well as seeing clients in private practice, I supervise two amazing Marriage and Family Associate Therapists (more information below) and provide Emotional Support services to The Walden School in Pasadena. I also have a background working with high profile clients and artists in the industry.
Prior to earning my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles where I specialized in Child Studies, I earned a Masters Degree in Education from The University of Massachusetts, Boston. I was a high school English teacher and spent twenty-years in education—both mainstream and special education. I worked for over 13-years at a therapeutic day school, as well as ran and taught a GED and ESOL program at a community center where I worked with adolescent and adults, as well as immigrants and American born students who were working hard to make a change in their lives. My experience in education enabled me to work with people from a range of places and backgrounds—from Haiti to Vietnam and Poland—I have helped people find their way along their life’s path. I also earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston where I was an intern at Ploughshares and later worked at The Harvard Review, both poetry journals. I was also a founding member of compost literary magazine, that's mission was to foster greater understanding amongst the world's people through international, national, and community art, literature, and ideas. Looking back at the span of my career choices, I realize that working with people and helping to make a meaningful difference is not just a profession—it is a vocation that I am and have always been moved to do.
Prior to earning my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles where I specialized in Child Studies, I earned a Masters Degree in Education from The University of Massachusetts, Boston. I was a high school English teacher and spent twenty-years in education—both mainstream and special education. I worked for over 13-years at a therapeutic day school, as well as ran and taught a GED and ESOL program at a community center where I worked with adolescent and adults, as well as immigrants and American born students who were working hard to make a change in their lives. My experience in education enabled me to work with people from a range of places and backgrounds—from Haiti to Vietnam and Poland—I have helped people find their way along their life’s path. I also earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston where I was an intern at Ploughshares and later worked at The Harvard Review, both poetry journals. I was also a founding member of compost literary magazine, that's mission was to foster greater understanding amongst the world's people through international, national, and community art, literature, and ideas. Looking back at the span of my career choices, I realize that working with people and helping to make a meaningful difference is not just a profession—it is a vocation that I am and have always been moved to do.
What I do:
I help kids. I help them develop skills to manage their anxious, sad, and angry feelings and discern those feelings that are often the result of bigger issues—such as learning disabilities, academic issues, parental separation, divorce or remarriage, peer issues, and/or other sources of stress or trauma. I help adults. I help them through difficult transitional periods–from personal struggles with identity or emotions to individuation, relationships, and LGBTQI+ issues. I also help people work through personal traumas, including being in a relationship with a person that has a substance abuse history. I also help couples. I help them learn to respond and work with each other and on their relationship, instead of just reacting to each other in a cyclical pattern. I help them slow down and pay attention to how they communicate with and to each other, as well as how to understand their own individual pattern and behaviors, and how they impact their partner's so they can more effectively and empathetically move towards each other instead of away.
I believe my work with children and families has given me a solid understanding of what kind of issues can and do impact peoples lives, not just young lives. I believe that working with children and families has given me an even greater understanding as to how emotional issues can manifest and impact people much later on in life if they are left unaddressed. I believe my experience working with children and families has also allowed me a broader perspective and ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds—and that, although I specialize in working with kids, I do not limit my work only to that specific clientele—I truly enjoy helping people of all ages and backgrounds learn to live more full and peaceful lives.
I am a relational, strengths-based therapist who has an eclectic approach. While the roots of my theoretical orientation are psychodynamic and attachment based, I do use a lot of work with cognitive behavioral, family systems, and existential approaches and concepts to help with each person’s individual needs. I rely on humor and compassion to connect along with the solid belief that each person is the expert on their own life. My goal is to encourage and teach children and adolescents to express themselves in a safe and appropriate way so they can healthfully experience the full range of their feelings. I encourage contemplation, reflection and authentic expression while also helping kids to raise their awareness of themselves and in relation to others.
I work with children, adolescents and adults individually as well as couples and families. I work with learning issues, conflict/divorce issues, anxiety, self-esteem and depression, as well as trauma, substance abuse and it's impact on individual family members, identity issues and LGBTQI+ issues.
I am honored to currently supervise Michael Modresky (AMFT #111123)
Michael is a trauma informed therapist who is trained in EMDR and works with individuals, couples and families. He also has specialized training in LGBTQIA+ affirmative psychotherapy which honors the unique life experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Michael welcome and affirms people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship types.
Michael's work is strengths based and incorporates a range of modalities including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and EMDR. He works collaboratively with his clients to examine patterns, thoughts, stories and relationships. Michael believes that building awareness leads to a greater sense of agency so they can take action and create change.
Much of Michael's work with clients centers on helping them to improve their daily life, redefine their relationships, aspire to a different work life, and change ways of coping that no longer serve them in order to achieve greater fulfillment.
In short, Michael strives to create a safe, comfortable environment where clients can bring all of themselves. He eared his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles and is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #111123). Michael's hours are listed below and his phone number is 323.739.4536 or visit his profile at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/michael-modresky-pasadena-ca/436237
I am honored to currently supervise Melissa Dellens (AMFT #123991)
Melissa has in depth training in object relations theory and applied community psychology. She takes an affirmative approach to help her clients explore internal and external stressors, resolve conflicts, and feel more connected to the here and now. Her community and clinical work leaves her especially attuned to working with people impacted by relationship traumas, autistic and LGBTQIAPK+ people experiencing minority stress, caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue, and advocates engaged in long term anti-racism & systemic change efforts.
Melissa offers a collaborative space for teens and adults seeking individual or couples therapy. She has an active imagination and a visual mind that can help her clients make more sense of their own. She listens carefully to what lights her clients up, as well as the origins of stress, exhaustion, and shame. These explorations can help her clients feel more engaged, empowered, and passionate about their lives.
Outside her private practice, Melissa offers organizational development consulting through the Affirmative Couch to work with medical and mental health clinics to provide more affirming care for LGBTQIA+, consensually non monogamous, and kinky patients.
Prior to her work as an AMFT, Melissa was a Family Support Coordinator for 12 years, providing inclusive services to intellectual and developmentally disabled communities. Her early career was spent working in live theater and summer camps. Melissa earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Applied Community Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. She is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT # 123991). Melissa can be reached at (323) 810-9681. You can visit her profile at: https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/melissa-dellens-pasadena-ca
Currently all therapists are conducting telehealth
in order to adhere to COVID-19 protocols
Locations & Hours:
200 East Del Mar Blvd., Suite 119, Pasadena, CA 91105
Located in Pasadena (the brown shingled building just above Houston's) on the corner of East Del Mar Blvd. and South Marengo Avenue. The office is close to the 210, 134 and 110, walking distance (2 blocks) from The Gold Line and close to Old Town Pasadena. South Marengo has free 1 and 2-hour street parking; There is a parking garage in the basement of the building with the entrance on E. Del Mar.
The office is easily accessible from Glendale, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Hollywood, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena.
The office is easily accessible from Glendale, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Hollywood, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena.
Cancellations
Please let me know at least 24-hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment. You will be charged for a full price for the missed session if you have not given at least 24-hours notice.
Insurance
I accept PPO plans as an out of network provider. Clients can pay for their services at the time of the session and be supplied a Super bill that they can submit to their insurance for reimbursement according to their plans coverage. Super bills cover a six session time period.
What this means is that you would need to pay for each session as they occur. I would, in turn, keep a record of the time and date of each session, a diagnosis (which is required by insurance), along with your place or source of employment, and home information. After you provide me with a week's notice (verbal or written) for a Super Bill, I would provide you with this document which would include all of the above information. Please note that many insurance companies also require a social security number.
As the client you would submit the 'bill' for reimbursement to your insurance company.
Please check with your insurance carrier or employee benefit plan to ensure that your services will be covered in full or in part.
What this means is that you would need to pay for each session as they occur. I would, in turn, keep a record of the time and date of each session, a diagnosis (which is required by insurance), along with your place or source of employment, and home information. After you provide me with a week's notice (verbal or written) for a Super Bill, I would provide you with this document which would include all of the above information. Please note that many insurance companies also require a social security number.
As the client you would submit the 'bill' for reimbursement to your insurance company.
Please check with your insurance carrier or employee benefit plan to ensure that your services will be covered in full or in part.
Confidentiality & Private Policy
The law protects the relationship between a client and a therapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.
Exceptions include:
Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, to which I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities, immediately.
Child Pornography
If a client reports they have “downloads, streams, or access images of any person under the age of 18 engaged in an act of obscene sexual conduct," I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities.
See legislation here by clicking on the CANRA link
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety.
And if they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
Exceptions include:
Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, to which I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities, immediately.
Child Pornography
If a client reports they have “downloads, streams, or access images of any person under the age of 18 engaged in an act of obscene sexual conduct," I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities.
See legislation here by clicking on the CANRA link
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety.
And if they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
Margaret (Meg) J. Bezucha, LMFT#100194 • Call 213.300.8075 or write meg@mjbtherapy.com for an appointment