Dr. Yvonne Thomas, a psychologist serving those in Westwood, has dedicated herself to guiding individuals, couples, and families toward mental wellness. With three psychology degrees and comprehensive experience helping clients, Dr. Thomas provides compassionate support tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
Dr. Thomas holds the license # PSY 14489 and brings over 25 years of experience to her practice. Her expertise spans multiple psychological areas, and her practice accommodates flexible scheduling, insurance acceptance, and free initial phone consultations. In summary:
Flexible Scheduling
Three Degrees in Psychology
Acceptance of Many Insurance Plans
Broad Experience Across a Range of Issues
Over 25 Years of Practice
California License # PSY 14489
Free Initial Phone Consultation
She works to help her clients navigate issues such as personal struggles, marriage and relationship challenges, significant life transitions, and grief. Mental health is complex, and it can be difficult to manage on one’s own. Through her practice, Dr. Thomas offers the support and guidance to empower clients on their journey toward health and happiness.
Individual Therapy
In individual therapy, Dr. Thomas addresses mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and many other concerns (including professional ones). Tackling these issues directly with the support of a qualified professional can often lead to meaningful and transformative change.
In these sessions, Dr. Thomas encourages clients to explore the underlying causes of their struggles. Emotional and mental difficulties often stem from deeper issues that can remain hidden until examined in a safe, therapeutic environment.
Whether these stem from unresolved trauma, unaddressed grief, or ingrained self-limiting beliefs, therapy can help identify the roots of current challenges. In this way, individual therapy not only addresses symptoms but also delves into the origins of mental health issues, supporting long-lasting healing and improved well-being.
One of the primary benefits of therapy with Dr. Thomas is the development of resilience and effective coping strategies. Through her practice, Dr. Thomas helps clients learn skills to manage stress, handle difficult emotions, and deepen their self-awareness.
Dr. Thomas provides a space for personal growth and self-discovery. As clients work through challenges, they gain a clearer understanding of their strengths, values, and goals. This journey of self-discovery can be profoundly empowering, allowing individuals to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
Emotional support can be so beneficial, especially during overwhelming times. Individual therapy offers a consistent, supportive relationship where clients can explore their feelings and concerns without judgment. In this context, Dr. Thomas provides guidance, empathy, and encouragement, supporting clients as they navigate their journey to wellness.
These skills not only address current challenges but also prepare individuals to face future obstacles confidently.
Marriage and Couples Counseling
Relationships can be one of life’s most rewarding aspects, but they also require attention, work, and sometimes guidance to thrive. For couples facing issues such as frequent arguments, communication struggles, unresolved trust issues, or anything else that may threaten your connection Dr. Thomas offers couples counseling to help partners work through challenges together.
Sometimes, recognizing the need for counseling is the first step in revitalizing a relationship.
When arguments become more frequent or intense, they can create lasting damage to the relationship. Therapy can help couples improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and better understand each other’s perspectives.
A loss of trust can be deeply damaging. Whether due to recent events or past experiences, therapy can help couples rebuild trust, addressing feelings of jealousy, suspicion, or resentment.
If partners frequently resort to negative or manipulative communication styles, couples therapy can provide the tools to communicate constructively and empathetically.
Sometimes, couples seek therapy not because of a sudden issue but due to a gradual feeling of distance. Counseling can help partners reconnect, rebuild intimacy, and strengthen their bond.
Major life changes, such as moving to a new city, becoming parents, or dealing with job loss, can introduce stress that affects relationships. Therapy provides a space to work through these challenges together.
Money problems are a common source of relationship stress. Couples therapy can help partners communicate about financial concerns and find solutions together. Some couples find that past conflicts continue to disrupt their relationship. Therapy can support couples in addressing these lingering issues constructively.
Remember: not every couple in therapy has a specific problem to solve. Some partners simply want to improve their relationship, enhance their connection, and prepare for a long and happy future together.
Taking the Steps Towards a Healthier Relationship Together
Couples therapy can feel intimidating, but it is often a proactive step toward a stronger, healthier relationship. Essential relationship skills—such as effective communication and conflict resolution—are not innate; they are often learned through therapy. Dr. Thomas’s compassionate approach helps couples work through differences, strengthen their bond, and build the skills necessary for a better, more fulfilling partnership.
Life Transition Counseling
Life is full of transitions, some planned and others unexpected. Whether facing a breakup, a move, the birth of a new baby, or retirement, these shifts can bring a range of emotions that are difficult to process alone. Dr. Thomas offers support for individuals going through life transitions, helping them find stability and meaning in times of change.
Remember, any life transition, even a happy one, can lead to stress. For example, even welcome job transitions can bring worry. Starting a new job can be exciting, yet adjusting to a new environment, meeting new colleagues, and learning new routines can feel overwhelming. On the other hand, job loss, which is increasingly common, can bring not only financial challenges but also a sense of lost purpose and identity.
The birth of a child brings joy, but it also introduces new stressors that can affect emotional and physical well-being. Therapy offers support for new parents, helping them navigate the adjustments, manage exhaustion, and work through the challenges of early parenthood.
By that same token, when children leave home, parents can experience a wide range of emotions—from pride to sadness, to loneliness. Known as “empty nest syndrome,” this transition can impact parents’ mental health as they adapt to a quieter household. Therapy provides a space to work through these feelings and develop new routines that bring satisfaction and purpose.
Dr. Thomas provides a supportive space for clients as they navigate questions of identity, manage societal expectations, and cope with any feelings of rejection or isolation. Therapy helps individuals process these experiences and build a sense of self-acceptance and confidence.
Through life transition counseling, Dr. Thomas offers clients the support and guidance they need to navigate change healthily and constructively.
Therapy can help individuals process the emotions surrounding these changes and develop strategies for resilience.
Grief and Loss Counseling
The loss of a loved one, whether through death, divorce, or separation, is one of life’s most challenging experiences. Dr. Thomas provides grief counseling to help clients process these complex emotions and reclaim a sense of peace and purpose.
Grief counseling can be transformative, equipping individuals with tools for navigating loss and moving forward. Through therapy with Dr. Thomas, it’s possible to experience:
Long-Term Resilience: Those who engage in grief counseling report fewer symptoms of grief over time, indicating that therapy can support long-lasting resilience. Therapy offers a safe environment where individuals can express their grief openly without fear of judgment, providing comfort and validation.
Coping Skills: Through grief counseling, Dr. Thomas teaches coping strategies, such as journaling and deep-breathing exercises, that help clients process their emotions and manage daily challenges.
Building a Support System: Dr. Thomas can also guide clients toward additional resources, such as support groups, to extend the benefits of therapy beyond one-on-one sessions.
Rediscovering Purpose: Grief therapy helps clients find meaning by channeling their feelings into honoring their loved ones’ memories. Therapy can inspire new purpose and a renewed outlook on life.
Acceptance: Grief therapy encourages individuals to embrace the reality of change, helping them reach a place of acceptance without diminishing their loss.
Psychologist Serving Those in Westwood and the Rest of California
Selecting a psychologist is a personal decision that can have a significant impact on one’s journey to mental wellness. Dr. Thomas believes that finding the right psychologist is key to achieving the best therapy results. Her compassionate approach and commitment to her clients’ well-being have made her a trusted resource for those in the Westwood area.
If you’re ready to explore therapy with a skilled psychologist, consider reaching out to Dr. Thomas. Taking the first step can be challenging, but it is also the start of a journey toward a better, more fulfilling lifestyle, regardless of what’s going on in your life.
Dr. Thomas offers a free phone consultation, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (310) 359-9450 or by visiting her website to learn more about how she can help you.