About Patricia Saunders
Focus areas
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Bipolar Disorder
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal Tendencies
Bereavement / Grief Counseling
Mood Disorders
Clientele seen
Adults (25-64)
Individuals
Couples
Treatment approaches
Adlerian
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Attachment-based
EMDR
Coaching
Emotionally Focused
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Patricia Saunders
People come to therapy for many reasons. Some are sad and depressed; some feel overwhelming anxiety; others seek a safe place to grieve; couples who are drifting apart look for resolution; some people are facing inevitable life changes and are unsure of their direction. There are so many reasons, but tackling any of those reasons with a skilled therapist is a good decision. I am here for you when you are ready to begin.
I am highly interactive and collaborative, and depend on a strong relationship with clients that builds trust and encourages individuality and personal growth. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and use it for trauma, anxiety, depression, and strength/confidence building. I also use "Tapping", often referred to as Emotional Freedom Techniques, in shifting feelings towards greater creativity and life satisfaction. When working with adult individuals, I let the client determine the pace of the work and, depending on the reason for therapy, I will call upon a wide range of theories, skills, and techniques that I believe will help the client to their goals. I believe in the power of change and also the strength within each of us to make those changes. I want people to feel empowered to live life to its fullest and to find happiness through purpose and connection. I hold hope while you find your way. I particularly love working with couples and families as these systems hold the greatest opportunity for repairing and strengthening important attachments. In my work with couples, I use aspects of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy -- I am objective and work to help the couple determine their path for their future.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I enjoy working with clients as they try to navigate challenging times in their lives. Perhaps you are considering a major change in your life and are stuck with making a decision. Maybe you are having communication issues in your relationships and want to find ways to better represent yourself to others. Or, like many others, you may be struggling with fear and anxiety in these trying times. Life presents us with challenges, and finding the strength to handle those can be hard. Together, we will get there, and you can find greater satisfaction in life.
I am highly interactive and encourage an open dialogue with clients. I provide feedback where it is welcome and always treat clients with respect and compassion. I strive to make my clients comfortable talking about difficult topics and to know that I am empathetic and non-judgmental. When I feel that it would be helpful, I sometimes disclose my own life experiences to improve trust and/or normalize a client's feelings. I always encourage feedback from clients so that I can interact in ways that are genuine and helpful. Lastly, I feel that humor is healing. I encourage clients to sometimes find the lighter side of life as a way to combat depression and anxiety. I enjoy joining the client in some well-timed laughter.
I work with clients to determine what they want to achieve in therapy, and together we set attainable goals and the milestones that will get us there. Goals can sometimes be fluid as life takes twists and turns we have not expected. We work together to make sure that we are moving in a direction that satisfies the client's needs and their purpose in coming to therapy. We revisit goals periodically to see where we are in terms of achieving those goals and then set new goals, if needed.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I worked in corporate America for 20 years, and that was almost exclusively in the areas of Human Resources. I was a trainer of employees in interpersonal skills and also in organizational change. I spent a few years in the Career Center of the company helping people navigate how to grow and succeed. I was always in positions that supported people. When that ended, I knew that I wanted to continue to work with people who needed support and wanted change. It became clear that I could do that as a therapist, and I returned to school, which had its challenges after being out of school for so long. I knew that I was on the right track for starting my second career. It has proven to be a good decision, and I feel that I am in the right place at the right time. I love what I do.
Our first session will be about connecting and exploring. I want to give you the time and space to share your story with me and to learn what you expect to achieve from therapy. Sometimes people worry that they will have to fill the time without any interaction with the therapist. I am interactive from the start and interested in knowing you, so I will have some questions that will help me to be clear about your expectations for therapy. I want you to feel free to ask me questions that help you decide if we are a good fit. I am open to sharing information about myself and my approach. On the business side, we will set up a schedule for meetings, establish my fees, and review my responsibilities around confidentiality and practice ethics.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- John F. Kennedy University, Master's in Psychology
NPI number
1871971747
How soon can I make an appointment with Patricia Saunders?
Generally, Patricia Saunders has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Patricia Saunders's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Patricia Saunders accepting new patients?
Patricia Saunders generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Patricia Saunders's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Patricia Saunders accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Patricia Saunders is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Patricia Saunders online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Patricia Saunders using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Patricia Saunders work with?
Patricia Saunders works with Rula Health - Central CA.
What are common reasons for patients to see Patricia Saunders?
Patricia Saunders frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Patricia Saunders on their profile.
What languages does Patricia Saunders speak?
Patricia Saunders speaks English.