Mental Health Services in California
WHERE YOU ARE SUPPORTED, UNDERSTOOD, AND EMPOWERED.
At Heartship Psychological Services, we believe meaningful change happens when compassion and science work together. Our approach is heart-centered, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care, meeting each client with empathy, openness, and respect for their unique story.
We tailor therapy to the individual, drawing from proven approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to support lasting growth. Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, we help clients build insight, resilience, and practical skills that support long-term emotional well-being—so they feel more grounded, empowered, and capable in every season of life.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Individual therapy provides a confidential space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences with the support of a trained therapist from our team. Sessions are tailored to your unique needs and may focus on concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, stress, or relationship challenges. Together, we work to better understand the patterns that may be contributing to distress while building practical tools to support healing, resilience, and personal growth. The goal of individual therapy is to help you feel more grounded, self-aware, and empowered as you navigate life’s challenges.
COUPLES THERAPY
Couples therapy provides a supportive space for partners to better understand one another, improve communication, and strengthen their emotional connection. Many couples seek therapy when they feel stuck in recurring conflicts, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward after difficult experiences. In sessions, we work together to identify patterns that may be creating tension and develop healthier ways of communicating and responding to each other’s needs. The goal of couples therapy is to help partners rebuild trust, deepen understanding, and create a more secure and fulfilling relationship.
PREMARITAL THERAPY
Premarital therapy helps couples strengthen their relationship and prepare for the transition into marriage with intention and clarity. Sessions focus on building healthy communication, understanding each partner’s needs and expectations, and developing tools for navigating conflict and life stress together. Couples often explore topics such as finances, family dynamics, shared values, future goals, and emotional connection. We may also use structured tools like the Prepare-Enrich assessment to highlight strengths in the relationship and identify areas for growth. The goal of premarital therapy is to help couples build a strong foundation, deepen their understanding of one another, and enter marriage feeling confident.
FAMILY THERAPY
Family therapy provides a supportive space for family members to work through challenges together and improve communication and understanding. Families often seek therapy when they are navigating conflict, major life changes, parenting challenges, or emotional stress that affects the whole household. In sessions, we focus on strengthening relationships, improving communication patterns, and helping each family member feel heard and respected. The goal of family therapy is to foster healthier dynamics, deeper connection, and a more supportive environment for everyone involved.
EMDR THERAPY
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences. When difficult memories remain unprocessed, they can continue to trigger strong emotional or physical reactions in the present. EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess these memories in a safe and structured way, allowing them to feel less overwhelming over time. Through guided techniques and bilateral stimulation, clients can gradually reduce the emotional intensity connected to past experiences. The goal of EMDR is to help you feel more grounded, resilient, and able to move forward.
PLAY THERAPY
Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate form of therapy that helps children express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills through play. Because children often communicate more naturally through play than through words, toys, art, and imaginative activities become tools for understanding their inner world. In a safe and supportive environment, children can explore feelings, work through challenges, and develop healthier ways of expressing themselves. Play therapy can be helpful for concerns such as anxiety, behavioral challenges, family transitions, and emotional stress. The goal is to support a child’s emotional growth while strengthening their sense of safety, confidence, and resilience.
TEEN THERAPY
Teen therapy provides a supportive space where adolescents can talk openly about the challenges they’re facing while developing skills to navigate this important stage of life. The teenage years often bring pressures related to school, friendships, identity, family dynamics, and emotional wellbeing. In therapy, teens can explore their thoughts and feelings in a confidential and nonjudgmental environment while learning healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, or mood changes. Sessions focus on building self-awareness, emotional regulation, and communication skills that support both current wellbeing and long-term resilience. The goal of therapy is to help adolescents feel understood, supported, and more confident as they grow.
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THERAPY FAQs
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In the initial session, we always conduct an intake to get a better sense of what you’d like to work on. We’ll go over your history, your identity, and your goals for therapy. We’ll be talking about any symptoms you’re experiencing, family dynamics, and how you’ve been functioning in your relationships and academic and/or work responsibilities. Getting a thorough assessment allows us to develop a treatment plan, so the more honest and open you can be, the better. We know it can be scary to share and we really value your courage to show up. We go at your pace to make sure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the process.
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Yes. We offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to make care more accessible and flexible. Teletherapy sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform so you can receive support from the comfort of your home or another private location.
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Many of our services can be provided through teletherapy, including individual therapy, couples therapy, and several evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and ERP. During your consultation, we can discuss whether teletherapy is a good fit for your specific needs or if in-person sessions may be more beneficial. We are flexible with our clients where sometimes we meet in-person and other times we meet virtually–it’s whatever works best for you.
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We offer therapy both in-person at our office locations in Pasadena and San Marino and through telehealth for any clients with a California address.
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We treasure each and every one of the clients that we have had the opportunity to work with. Many clients would describe us as warm, motivating, and encouraging. We're grateful to say that we’ve had many clients work with us for months and years because they have found our therapeutic relationship beneficial for their lives. That doesn’t mean we can’t help you solve your problems in a timely way, though. We take a client-centered approach so we’ll collaborate together to ensure we’re meeting your goals within your timeline.
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However long you’d like it to take! Some clients are looking for a few sessions and others are looking for more long-term support. We’ll work together to help you establish your goals and your treatment timeline.
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That’s completely okay. Many people start therapy unsure of exactly where to begin. Your therapist will help guide the conversation and create space to explore what’s been on your mind, even if it initially feels unclear.
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Yes. Because we want you to get the best care possible, we refer out clients who are experiencing substance use addiction and/or severe eating disorders. That being said, we're happy to connect you to referrals so that you can find the right people to help you in your journey.
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We're all about helping you feel empowered with the right steps for you. We believe it’s our job to always provide you with options so that you know about all the resources available to you. We're very comfortable working with psychiatry and we are also big believers in holistic care, including naturopathic care.
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We love that you’re thinking about this. You’re right--we likely haven’t lived the same experience as you, whether it relates to your race, gender, ability status, religion, or sexual orientation, as just a few examples. That being said, we're very comfortable talking about intersecting identities and we always try to bring a sense of cultural humility into our sessions. While we never expect you to educate us about your cultural experiences (we take the time to learn outside of session), we also approach cultural integration from a place of openness and care. Your identities matter to us and all identities are welcome in our practice.
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This is so important to bring up. We believe that the best therapists are open to feedback and frequently check in with how therapy is going for the client. Great therapists also know that we can’t be all things to all people. While we hope that you feel like our work is effective, we also want to know if you’re struggling. We're completely open to feedback. It’s our job to get you with the right therapist and if we're not it, we’ll help you find that person.
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You don’t have to reach a certain level of distress to begin therapy. Many people seek therapy when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply want support navigating life’s challenges. If you’re curious about therapy or feel like having support might help, that’s often a good sign it may be the right time.
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Success in therapy can look different for everyone. For some, it means feeling less anxious or overwhelmed, while for others it may involve improving relationships, building coping skills, or gaining greater self-understanding. Our goal is to help you move toward the changes that matter most to you.
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Depending on your insurance plan, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement for therapy sessions. If applicable, we can provide a detailed receipt (superbill) that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurance company directly to understand your specific benefits.
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The best way to begin is by scheduling a free 20-minute consultation. During this call, we’ll briefly discuss what you’re looking for and help match you with a therapist if it feels like a good fit. Depending on availability, many clients are able to schedule their first session within a week.
