Miriam DeBerry

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of California and Missouri. I served for over 17 years in assisting individual adults and couples from various phases of their lives to gain clarity, perspective, and resolution. My integrative therapeutic approaches using solution-focus, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, systemic, client-centered, and acceptance & commitment interventions helped my clients create healthier life choices for a positive present and future. With an open heart, mind, and soul, I will support you into the next stages of your life.

My approach

I use various psychodynamic approaches to assist my clients in obtaining a positive quality of life. Client-centered and cognitive behavioral modalities are my two primary styles to guide and direct clients to formulate collaborative goals for change or acceptance they desire to see in their lives. My systemic therapeutic approach allows my clients to work through internal, relational, work, and daily stressors that result in traumatic and distressing impressions.

My focus

I work directly to motivate individual adults and couples to decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and conflicts. The joy of working with individuals and couples is to help each person determine the next best steps for self or the couple to thrive. I compassionately and enthusiastically care for those I support to guide them through the highs and lows of life to a more manageable and sustainable perspective.

My communication style

I openly, authentically, directly, and honestly communicate with my clients to create a positive and open environment to express themselves freely. I want clients to feel heard, respected, and at ease to explore the complexities that brought them to therapy. The environment I foster is the freedom to openly evaluate, explore, and triumphantly move beyond the challenges that bring discomfort individually or within a couple.

My journey to mental healthcare

In my life, people have expressed their comfort in sharing their life challenges, depths, and stressors with me. My therapeutic purpose is to create joy through heartfelt support and care of those willing to develop a sustainable life despite the many distressing moments of time. My early professional experiences included working with developmentally delayed adults and their families, individuals, and couples with childhood, family, relational, racial, societal, grief, sexual, and military trauma. I supported clients from various backgrounds different from my own. I openly embrace people's differences to cultivate a world that is enriched by differences. My personal and professional belief is that this world is for us to coexist together in harmony and peace; We make life better with active kindness. My post-licensure expertise was shaped by these experiences and beliefs of guiding those with complex trauma toward healing.

My goals for you

My therapeutic goal-setting is collaborative through our therapist-client(s) relationship. We will work together to define a focus and direction to increase your well-being mentally, relationally, and overall. My desire is to create a therapeutic environment that supports your pace of growth and exploration to maintain the transformation you want to see in and outside of therapy.

My first session with you

The first session is an introductory session to hear more details about what brought you to therapy. I ask questions to learn more about your present and past experiences that are encouraging you to make changes in your life. As I learn more about your therapy expectations and beliefs, we will move forward in determining the best way to improve your individual and relational challenges. I begin sessions by asking how your day and week are going to gain knowledge and if you have any immediate support needs. In concluding our session, we discuss future strategies of therapy takeaways, self-care, reflection questions, or the next steps in the therapeutic process.