Empathic and experienced clinical psychologist offering Telehealth services for Arizona and Washington residents
Empathic and experienced clinical psychologist offering Telehealth services for Arizona and Washington residents
Welcome
Expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
When you are struggling and need help adapting to a challenging situation or you need help sorting out your feelings and resolving your conflicts, you want to work with an experienced highly-trained professional.
I have over 30 years of experience working with people who are struggling with stress, anxiety & mood difficulties, health challenges and disabling injuries. I have also worked with many clients struggling with infertility, high risk pregnancy, special needs parenting and spousal caregivers.
From time to time, all of us experience challenges but we don’t have to stay stuck. It can be helpful to talk with a trained professional who can be supportive but objective and also offer a safe, confidential and caring environment to help you get back to feeling better and more in control of your life. Whether you are looking to address specific issues or feel better and less stressed about your life in general, talking to a trained psychotherapist is a good place to begin.
About Dr. Schwartz
I am a licensed psychologist in Arizona and Washington state. I was born on the East Coast but grew up outside of Los Angeles and attended college and graduate school in beautiful sunny San Diego. After finishing my PhD program I traveled North to the Pacific Northwest (the opposite of a sunny place!), where I was on the faculty at the University of Washington, School of Medicine for 30 years. I felt very fortunate to get to work with experts in the field of psychology who had written so many of the books that I had read in graduate school. I greatly enjoyed my time at the University of Washington and my work as an attending psychologist in the Multidisciplinary Pain Treatment Center and in the Neurology/Rehabilitation Clinics, treating individuals and their families struggling to manage a variety of serious medical conditions. In my role at the University of Washington, I also conducted research and trained psychology and medical residents.
I also had a private practice in Seattle for over 10 years where I worked with clients struggling with infertility, stress, depression, anxiety and with clients experiencing the unique challenges of special needs parenting.
I left Washington in 2023 to move to Arizona to be closer to family. I am enjoying learning about desert living and exploring my new community
Services Provided
Individual Psychotherapy
I have 3 decades of experience treating adults struggling with mood issues, stress and anxiety symptoms as well as a variety of life and work challenges. My approach to psychotherapy is based in the cognitive-behavioral perspective but has over the years has developed into an eclectic style with my own unique blending of different psychotherapeutic techniques.
When we work together we will first talk about what brought you to therapy and focus on the areas that are troubling for you. Then we will discuss your goals for therapy. Depending on your goals, our work together may include stress management and coping strategies (that work in real life!), mindfulness-based interventions, interpersonal effectiveness skills, or behavioral sleep and health management strategies all incorporating evidence-based therapeutic techniques. As appropriate, I take a strengths-based approach highlighting where you have had success in the past and what has worked for you while also fine-tuning strategies and skills to help you move forward and meet your goals.
Special Needs Parenting and Caregiver support
Parenting a child or young adult with specialized health and other needs can be challenging even under the best of circumstances. Talking with someone who understands your situation and can provide knowledge, support and perspective can be incredibly helpful. I have worked with many parents to provide therapeutic support, coping skills and effective strategies for improving mood and decreasing stress related to your unique family situation. I have personal experience in this area, being the mother of a young adult
with a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition.
In my work with parents I often use acceptance based and mindfulness strategies, as well as compassion based approaches and validation of the complicated feelings that can arise in this situation. My hope is for parents following treatment to feel that they can approach their parenting journey with renewed hope and energy, as well as less stress.
I also work with parents to create a personal & realistic self-care plan, access helpful resources and improve resilience around tough parenting moments.
Medical Psychology Practice
My Medical Psychology practice focuses on helping people living with injury/illness conditions such as stroke/TBI, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, post Covid and other chronic medical conditions. This therapy focuses on helping people adjust and adapt to their new or chronic health challenges, process losses and grief related to this, and learn strategies for improving coping. We will also work on helping you to develop effective tools to maximize everyday functioning, independence, and life enjoyment in the face of the 'new normal'. In my medical therapy practice I also do therapy with spouses and family members who may be struggling with adapting to their new role as caregiver for someone with a disability or chronic condition.