Lara Clayton, LMFT — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Lara!

I am here to support you in growing and healing. We will explore what is no longer working for you and create a therapeutic path by optimizing what is working for you as well as introducing you to new skills. I work with individuals to gain personal awareness and balance, and couples to restore and strengthen connection and trust.

My focus

I have an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic psychotherapy with practical coping skills training and strategies to enhance self-awareness, find meaning, and manage stressors. We will work together to generate curiosity, explore important questions, and process experiences and emotions to promote understanding, awareness, growth.

My approach

I value the therapeutic relationship and strive to foster trust, open communication, honesty, and collaboration in the work we will embark on together. I believe the you are the expert in your own life and I have a warm, practical, and non-judgmental attitude and believe building a strong therapeutic alliance is crucial to cultivate healing.

My communication style

Honest and clear communication is key in building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, openness, and willingness to do the work. I use reflection and ask exploratory questions to support personal and relational growth, and will challenge patterns that are no longer effective in order to move toward healing.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have always been curious about people- what motivates and drives us to do what we do, and how experiences shape who we are. It is impossible to grow in isolation; we grow in reflection of others and our experiences. As a student of depth psychology, I believe we are all wired to grow through finding meaning, and that finding meaning is healing.

My goals for you

Setting treatment goals is an ongoing collaborative process that includes the individual or couple and therapist. We will build on your personal strengths and preferences to co-create treatment goals as I offer my expertise and experience on what may work to get there.

Our first session

The first session is an opportunity to get to know one another. We will review what led you to therapy and explore how experiences have affected you and the meaning you found. This is a time to explore your fears, hopes, and goals, and for you to ask any questions about the therapy process.

I identify as...

Female
Caucasian or White

Expertise

Focus populations

Military/Veterans

Police/Fire/First Responders

Recovery/12 Step Friendly

Single Mother

+ 4 more

Therapy types

Couples Therapy
Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Allegiance
Allied
Arlo
Ascension-SmartHealth

+ 22 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Masters of Arts (MA) Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Lara Clayton