You're under pressure all the time. You know you need better ways to manage stress, but you likely have a jam-packed schedule and never seem to find time for yourself. Even the idea of going to therapy may feel like another thing to add to your endless to-do list.

I get it. High-level executives and business owners experience unique challenges in the workplace and at home. At any given moment, you might be under immense pressure, working long hours, and trying to extinguish professional fires. It's exciting, and it's exhausting. But other people might look at your life and say, “What's the problem? You've made it! You're so successful.”

And while that may be true, you may also be struggling inside. You might be feeling depressed, anxious, or insecure. You might also be worried about your parenting or relationship- these are common mental health concerns, and they can worsen over time.

As an experienced therapist, supervisor, former chief officer, and small business owner myself, I understand the specific needs of this demographic. Your mental well-being matters, but it has to also be considered within the context of your professional role.

Here's what you can expect from our work:

Therapy for Executives, Healthcare Professionals, and Entrepreneurs in Orange County, CA

Leadership stress is a specific kind of stress that not all therapists (or people) truly understand. The complex decisions you make don't just affect you- they impact employees, clients, and the long-term success of your business or organization. Managing this kind of stress isn't as straightforward as taking routine breaks or practicing simple self-care at night.The stakes are high, and the pressure to perform often feels constant.

The reality is that you're likely responsible for the livelihood of many employees or clients. Your work has a dramatic impact on your company's reputation and overall success. You don't have the luxury to run on auto-pilot at work- your mind must constantly problem-solve, strategize, and collaborate. While others may be able to disconnect from work, your responsibilities often come home with you.

I specialize in working with high-performing executives who face these challenges every day. My approach is tailored to help you navigate these particular pressures while maintaining a sense of emotional resilience and personal fulfillment.

In my work, I specialize in the following specialties:

Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

If this is you, you're used to navigating uncertainty and risk-taking. You are the backbone of your business, wearing multiple hats and dodging the looming fear of failure.

I seek to provide a space where you can openly discuss these challenges without any judgment. We can work through problems about work-related burnout, imposter syndrome, or difficulties around your self-worth,

CEOs and Executives

As a CEO or high-level executive, you're required to lead with confidence and make crucial decisions under pressure. But leadership can be both daunting and isolating. You may feel like you shoulder the weight of the organization alone, with few people to truly confide in. You might also feel crushed by the magnitude of the expectations within your role.

Therapy offers a supportive space to work through these leadership challenges and professional stress. I'm here to help you navigate company politics, difficult stakeholders, or high expectations. We'll focus on strengthening your productivity (if desired) and cultivating more emotional resilience.

Healthcare Professionals

Doctors, psychiatrists, and other therapists usually know the benefit of seeking mental health services, but they tend to hesitate to reach out for support themselves. I get it. You may be working 60+ hours a week, constantly making life-altering choices while struggling to find a moment to eat lunch yourself. The emotional weight of patient care- coupled with all those administrative pressures and long shifts- can lead you to a fast-track of compassion fatigue, burnout, and resentment.

My goal is to offer an environment where you can process this stress without judgment. We'll focus on managing the emotional toll of your profession and identify ways to restore a sense of passion for work without compromising your entire well-being.

Executive Areas of Expertise for Orange County Professionals

Here are some of the key issues I tend to treat when working with executive professionals:

Stress Management

Work-related stress is universal, but the inherent demands of executive leadership create a unique level of pressure that extends beyond basic self-care or optimizing your schedule.

As a leader, you're not only managing your own workload- you're also juggling the well-being of your employees and the success of your organization. All decisions you make carry some weight, influencing both company performance and public perception. There's not a lot of room to "go through the motions," and the constant need for complex problem-solving can result in overwhelming stress.

In our sessions, we'll tackle those specific stressors affecting you and develop better strategies that honor your busy schedule and current quality of life. My goal is to support you to regain a sense of empowerment and control, even in the most high-pressure situations.

Imposter Syndrome

Despite external success, many executives still struggle with feeling inadequate or insecure in their work. No matter how much you achieve, you simply move the goalposts ore compare yourself to other successful competitors. Imposter syndrome can look like:

• feeling like you're a fraud compared to your colleagues or competitors

• worrying that you can never really slow down because it will all fall apart

• hesitating to take risks and consistently playing it too safe

• constantly comparing yourself to other professionals

Most people experience imposter syndrome from time to time. But if you constantly feel overwhelmed or incompetent, it can take a massive toll on your well-being. Your imposter syndrome may speak to old narratives you hold about yourself. It can also be a reflection of the pressure you feel at work.

In therapy, we'll explore the root causes of your imposter syndrome and develop strategies that may shift your cycle of self-doubt. This tends to take a multifaceted approach and may include concepts rooted in mindfulness, self-compassion, reframing achievements, and resolving old traumas that may be holding you back.

Poor Work-Life Balance

High-achieving professionals not only experience job stress, but they often face difficulties at home and in their own emotional well-being.

Your loved ones might not understand why you can't just take a week off for a spontaneous getaway. Your partner may get frustrated when you answer the phone in the middle of the night. And there's a good chance you feel guilty that you aren't spending enough time with your children or other family members.

Maybe you've also neglected your health. You know you should prioritize getting a good night's sleep, adequate nutrition, and exercise, but work takes up so much energy. You keep telling yourself you'll focus on those things soon, but the time never seems to come.

Therapy can help you restore a sense of balance in daily life and reduce your reliance on maladaptive coping strategies. We'll work together to establish better boundaries, develop healthier habits, and ensure that your professional success does not entirely erode your personal well-being.

Significant Career Transitions

Starting a new business, changing roles, or moving into management can all be exciting- and they can also be extremely stressful. As you continue growing in your career, you may even feel increasingly isolated from others.

Therapy for career transitions entails recognizing your stress triggers and learning how to cope with your emotions productively. If you've had a history of burnout, we'll also review some of the early warning signs to pay attention to during this transition. Together, we'll develop strategies to help you confidently embrace change while maintaining a sense of stability in life.

Other Mental Health Issues

Executive stress can exacerbate symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and other mental health problems. You're not alone in how you feel, but you certainly might not feel safe talking about these struggles at work.

Therapy offers a discreet place for getting support, stress reduction, and working on your mental health. If work is causing you emotional problems, we'll talk about the next steps you can take to improve how you feel.

FAQ

How long do you generally work with your clients?

It varies. Some people prefer a short, structured approach where we meet once a week for a few months. Others value having a long-term, supportive relationship. Most of my clients do stay with me for several years, even if we're meeting less frequently as time progresses.

What's better: in-person or online therapy?

Neither is better, but they are different. The reality is that many of my high-level executives simply lack the availability or capacity to meet in person. You're probably on the go, so we might be meeting together on a lunch break or very early in the morning (or late at night). Virtual therapy offers an unbeatable convenience, and I’m happy to provide this option.

In-person therapy, on the other hand, provides a sense of depth and relational exploration that just can't be truly captured online. This can be especially important if we engage in more trauma-focused therapy.

I also offer a hybrid approach where we meet periodically in my Orange County office and schedule the other appointments online.

What makes you skilled in working with people like me?

In addition to being a therapist, I've also owned a few businesses (alone and also with my wife), and I've also worked in several management positions, including as a clinical director and chief clinical officer. Since 2020, I helped directly open three mental health facilities in Southern California and currently still support consulting and overseeing a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, marketing executives, and medical doctors. While my lived experience is not your lived experience, I do believe my professional background offers me key insight into the nuances of leadership stress and its potential toll on one's physical and mental health.

Over the years as a therapist, I have worked with many executives, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals. I absolutely understand the need for discreet, professional services. I also understand there's often a high need for scheduling flexibility- I am happy to work with your availability and can often make adjustments as needed.

What therapeutic approach do you use in your work?

I lean heavily on attachment-based, psychodynamic principles in my work. You won't just be given a bucket of generic skills that you can read about in a workbook or online. Instead, we're going to dig into your emotional and relational patterns, and we'll spend a good amount of time clarifying your specific goals surrounding confidence, work-life balance, and mental health.

What if I'm struggling in my relationships as well?

In addition to individual services, I also offer couples and family therapy. These options tend to be extremely beneficial for understanding dynamics within the household and getting everyone on the same page. We can discuss the best option for your treatment.

To learn more about my couples therapy offerings, please click here.

Therapy for CEOs, C-Suite Leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Other Executive Professionals in California

All therapists help clients with managing stress, but you need someone who understands the rigor of your professional goals and identity. You also don't want to feel awkward talking about potentially sensitive topics like wealth or business strategy.

As an experienced therapist with over a decade of clinical experience and business management, I'm well-versed in working with high-profile clients who experience stress in the workplace. In my role as a chief clinical officer for multiple Orange County mental health facilities, I know the nuances of leadership and what it's like to manage multidisciplinary teams.

My goal is to help you feel more aligned with your work and balanced with your life. If you want to learn more about my process, feel free to contact me to schedule an initial consultation.