Raymond Coffin

I'm Dr. Ray Coffin, a Southern California psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping people get their lives back in balance when it's gotten to be too much to handle alone. If that sounds like you and what's worked for you in the past just isn't cutting it anymore, let's talk! I provide a confidential place to sort out what's not working in your life. We'll work together to clarify what you have the power to change, reinforce skills critical to your success, and support you as you build the confidence you need to make those changes.

My approach

Approaches to therapy have “exploded” over the course of my career, each with something to offer for the right patient, at the right time in their journey. My approach is patient-centered, compassionate, and supportive. I am particularly sensitive to the effects of trauma on a person’s development—whether experienced early in life or more recently, and integrate that with a psychodynamic model of personality development. As we begin to focus on specific problems and possible interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment theory insights into relationship styles, “inner child” integration techniques, clinical hypnosis, and biofeedback are among the approaches and techniques that I rely on to design interventions.

My focus

I primarily work with adults who find their lives disrupted by unexpected crises that prove to be more than they can handle. Clients describe a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, self-esteem, and behavioral problems, triggered by unexpected career problems, failed relationships, exposure to life-threatening situations, and the effects of serious accidents and illnesses. I have particular expertise working with police, fire, and medical first responders, as well as those who were emotionally, physically, or sexually abused as children and find they can’t “shake off” the memories.

My communication style

Research consistently shows that it is the quality of the relationship between the patient and therapist that makes the most difference in the work we do. So, I place a great deal of emphasis on ensuring that together we build a safe, supportive relationship that allows you to express what you need to, explore your inner experience without judgment or shame, and learn new, more effective solutions to the problems you face. I encourage open communication, listen and respond to questions, and offer guidance and feedback appropriate to each person's needs throughout our work together.

My journey to mental healthcare

Like people often assume, undoubtedly I have been driven by a desire to better understand myself and what's happened in my own life, but also by a deep compassion and empathy for others. I credit my father with instilling the belief that we all have a responsibility to help others when we can, and over time I discovered that I had the ability to support others even at their lowest moments without being overwhelmed by their pain. After working with people now for over 30 years and as clichéd as it may sound, working as a therapist just seems to "fit" me. I find people and their behavior fascinating, and the privilege of being invited into people's private lives that my work affords gives me deeper insight into the complexity and wonder of life.

My goals for you

I approach goal-setting with clients as a dynamic, collaborative process that is likely to evolve over the course of our work together. Sometimes clients have a very focused goal for their therapy, and once that is reached are ready to move on with their lives. Others are less clear about where to start or how to understand their distress, and in those cases we are likely to set and revise goals over time as together we learn more about what motivated the person to look for help. Regardless of where we start, my interest is in ensuring that we work together in defining what the client needs from therapy and how we will attempt to reach those goals.

My first session with you

During the first session, my focus will be on getting to know you and the problem that you are trying to solve, and discussing a focus for our work together. I generally ask people to describe in their own words "what brought you in", answer any initial questions you may have about me, then listen, take some notes, and ask a few follow-up questions to ensure I understand what's bothering you. We begin defining what we are going to work on, how often and when we will meet, and go over any questions you have about my office policies or other concerns you need me to address.