Faith & Identity Focused Therapy
Gottman Method focused couples therapy in Southern California
About Denise’s Journey
The Struggle
Maybe you are devoted to your faith and something in your life has become too heavy to carry alone. Maybe your relationship with religion has shifted and you are grieving something you cannot quite name. Carrying spiritual doubts, unhealed church hurt, or feeling disconnected from your community can be deeply isolating. Over time, unanswered questions, painful religious experiences, or fear of judgment create an invisible wall between who you are and where you belong. You might find yourself editing your thoughts, hiding your true self, or walking on eggshells around the people you love.
How Therapy Helps
Through a compassionate, client-led therapeutic process, we explore your personal beliefs, identity, and life experiences with curiosity rather than judgment. Therapy offers a safe, neutral space to process religious hurt, navigate shifting beliefs, and honor who you are without fear of rejection. Whether you are deepening your faith, deconstructing long-held beliefs, or navigating identity as an LGBTQ+ individual or parent, we will work together to help you find clarity, emotional safety, and spiritual peace on your own terms.
I Meet You Where You Are. Not Where Anyone Thinks You Should Be.
You don't have to have it figured out to reach out. If something here resonated, even quietly, that is enough. Whatever you are navigating around faith, spirituality, or the complicated places they touch your life, there is room for it here.
Deepening Your Faith and
a extra few words
I work with people who are deeply committed to their faith communities, including those in ministry. Whether you're navigating a hard season, a hard decision, or simply want to grow, I'll support you in a way that honors your faith rather than treating it as something to work around. Your beliefs aren't a problem here. They're part of the whole picture I want to understand and support.
Healing from Religious Trauma or Deconstructing Your Faith
If your relationship with religion has become complicated, painful, or unrecognizable to you, this is a space to explore that honestly. Whether you're working through religious trauma, church hurt, or deconstruction, or you're not sure what to call it yet, you don't have to have already decided where you'll land.
Affirming Care for LGBTQ+ Individuals & Families
I am a fully affirming therapist. For LGBTQ individuals navigating what faith means for them now, and for parents who love their child and are trying to hold that love alongside deeply held beliefs, this is a space where who you are and who your child is are not problems to be solved. You are welcome here exactly as you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Faith & Identity Focused Therapy
-
Yes, I am currently accepting new adult individuals, couples, and families for both in-person and online therapy. You can schedule a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation using the online calendar on this page to discuss your goals and check current time-slot availability.
-
My physical office is located at 101 S. Kraemer Blvd, Suite 230, Placentia, CA 92870, serving clients across Placentia, Yorba Linda, and the greater Orange County area. I also offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions for adult clients residing anywhere within the state of California.
-
The simplest way to begin is by booking a brief, 10-minute introductory phone call by calling or texting the number on this site. We will briefly discuss what brings you to therapy, answer any logistics questions, and find a recurring weekly time slot that fits your schedule.
-
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance companies directly. However, if you have a PPO insurance plan, I can provide you with an itemized monthly statement called a superbill upon request. You can submit this directly to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan's benefits.
-
Individual Therapy is $205 per session, Couples Therapy is $225 per session, and Family Therapy is $295 per session.
-
Payment is processed at the time of service. I accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), cash, check, and HSA or FSA cards.
-
No. I do not see clients as diagnoses or problems to be fixed, and I do not bring an agenda about what you should believe. I see each person as someone with a unique story that deserves to be understood with curiosity, dignity, and compassion.
-
Yes. I work with people across the full spectrum of their relationship with faith, including those actively deconstructing, questioning long-held beliefs, healing from religious trauma or church hurt, or simply figuring out what faith means to them now. There is no requirement to have it figured out before you reach out.
-
Absolutely. If your faith is an important foundation in your life, we can integrate your spiritual values into our work together. The integration of faith is entirely client-led. We honor your personal beliefs without imposing any religious agenda or judgment.
-
I regularly support pastors, ministry leaders, and faith-based workers. I offer a strictly confidential, objective environment where you can speak candidly about burnout, personal struggles, or spiritual doubts without fear of professional, social, or congregational repercussions.
-
Yes, fully. I welcome LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families exactly as they are, without judgment or an agenda about your identity. I provide a safe, inclusive environment where your identity and relationships are held with full dignity and respect.
-
Yes. I work extensively with parents who deeply love their child and are navigating how to support them alongside holding onto their deeply held beliefs or faith background. Therapy offers a compassionate, non-judgmental space to process your emotions and learn how to maintain strong, loving family bonds.
-
Yes. Research consistently shows telehealth therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Virtual sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform for clients anywhere in California, providing a private and comfortable space to navigate sensitive topics around faith and identity.
-
Yes, absolutely. Questioning or shifting long-held beliefs often involves grieving the loss of certainty, shared community, or traditional ways of seeing the world. Therapy provides a grounded, supportive space to process the anxiety and grief of this transition so you can build a stable personal foundation moving forward.
Ready to Get Started?
01. Reach Out —Fill out the brief consultation form below to take the first step.
02. Connect —We’ll have a free 10-minute consultation call to discuss what you're experiencing and address any logistics.
03. Begin the Work — Begin sessions in-person or via secure telehealth in a space that meets you exactly where you are.
This contact form is for non-urgent scheduling inquiries only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or feeling unsafe, please call 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
