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 spouse 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. I offer a safe, confidential and caring environment to help you get back to feeling better and more in control of your life.
About Dr. Schwartz
I am a licensed clinical 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 sunny San Diego. After finishing my PhD program I traveled 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 & medicine. I greatly enjoyed my time at the University of Washington and my work as a psychologist in the Pain Treatment Center and in the Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine Clinics, treating individuals and their families struggling to manage a variety of health & medical challenges. In my role at the University of Washington, I also did research and trained psychology residents.
I had a private practice in Seattle for over 10 years where I worked with clients struggling with infertility, depression, anxiety and with parents 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
My approach to psychotherapy is based in the cognitive-behavioral perspective but 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 discuss your goals for treatment. Our work together will be guided by your goals and may include stress management and coping strategies (that work in real life!), mindfulness-based interventions or sleep and health management strategies incorporating evidence-based therapeutic techniques. I take a strengths-based approach when appropriate highlighting where you have had success in the past and helping you to fine-tune strategies and skills to help you move forward and make progress.
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.
My hope for our work together is for parents 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 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 cancer, stroke/brain injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other chronic medical conditions. This therapy focuses on helping people cope with chronic health challenges. We will work on helping you to develop effective tools to maximize everyday functioning, independence, and life enjoyment in the face of the 'new normal'. I also work 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.