Andrew Finley

My name is Andrew Finley. I am a seasoned Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed (#53504) in the State of California. I work with individuals, couples, and families and, no matter what you're going through, I am here for you and give you my word that I will listen to you with compassion and care while never, ever passing judgment.

My approach

Although I am well-versed in most therapeutic modalities, my specialty is Gestalt Experiential Therapy. This means we focus on process (what is happening NOW) over content (what is being talked about). My mission is to help each person realize their potential within themselves and in their relationships. I do this by: ​Promoting awareness and discovering new possibilities. Focusing on what is missing in how a person is functioning. Helping a person learn how to stay centered and hold on to themselves. Letting a person’s problem determine the direction of the therapy. Sharing my experiences and knowledge. The objective is to enable the client to become more fully and creatively alive and relieved of the blocks and unfinished business that may diminish satisfaction, fulfillment, and growth. The purpose is to be free to experiment with new ways of being.

My focus

I am very experienced in the treatment of Alcoholism, Addiction, and their co-occurring disorders. I work with adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Other areas of interest and specialization include Men's Issues, Transitional Struggles, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, PTSD, and Personal Coaching.

My communication style

First and foremost, I create an environment where you will feel safe, cared for, and hopeful. Life is a journey and I'm here to accompany you down that path, pointing out and experiencing things with you as you travel My style is honest, open, and direct, tempered by compassion. I will encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings as they come to you. Only by doing so can I help you to explore in depth what you're thinking and feeling, and that is where the real communication begins!

My journey to mental healthcare

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and came to California in the early 1970s. Following careers in the entertainment and construction industries, I returned to graduate school in my early fifties, earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles and, after the prescribed 3000 hours of internship and passing a grueling six-hour exam, became licensed in the State of California 4 years later! Along with my family, my license is one of the top priorities in my life which I take great pride in and value highly – so much so that I would never do anything to jeopardize it! I am very fortunate to have found my purpose in the practice of psychotherapy. Being able to work every day while at the same time recognizing it as my purpose in life is an honor. As a result, I truly love what I do. I have observed over the years that those who truly love what they do are usually pretty good at it! I am driven to do everything I can to make this world a little better than when I found it, and this is the way I have chosen to accomplish that.

My goals for you

As I said earlier, I tend to focus on the present. Only by concentrating on the here and now can we hope to have a future. It is said, "The past is history, the future is a mystery, and the present is a gift - that's why it's called present." That said, as you progress and grow through therapy, short-term goals will appear. As those are accomplished, you will continue to move towards what is really the primary long-term goal for anyone - to achieve satisfaction, fulfillment, and growth, unfettered by all the things that used to hold you back.

My first session with you

Our first session, besides the usual housekeeping and informing you of your rights and our strict adherence to confidentiality, we will take the first steps toward establishing a bond of trust. This usually happens over time - hopefully sooner rather than later. I will need to hear some of your history, with the rest to come later. Finally, I will ask you what issues in particular you wish to work on in the beginning, and the priority you wish to assign them. At that point, we will be ready to commence the journey.