I am excited to tell you a little bit about myself, my approach in my work, and my credentials.
I use talk therapy to help you heal and learn more constructive ways to deal with the problems or issues in your life. I work with each person to create a therapeutic environment that is most conducive to resolving the issues that brought them to therapy. For some that involves focusing on one or two difficulties, understanding the roadblocks and working through them. For others, that involves becoming aware of the underlying causes for those difficulties, uncovering them, understanding more about the pain that caused them to become invisible and resolving them on a more conscious level. The goal of therapy is to provide you with understanding, awareness and tools to enable you to continue taking good care of yourself for the rest of your life.
I am also passionate about helping good parents become better parents. I express that passion in working with parents on either an individual basis or in a group setting. When appropriate, I use the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) model because it is effective, easy to follow, and is well structured. Learn more about the STEP model and my parenting classes.
Now offering online therapy, on a secure system that is easy to download and use. Enjoy the convenience of not needing to travel to an office and the saving of time, effort and expense. Contact Irine Schweitzer to find out more about that option at irine@pacbell.net.
Educational Background.
I have doctorate (Psy.D) in Marriage and Family Therapy.
I have a MSW degree in Social Work from USC, and a MA degree in Jewish Communal Work.
I have been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker since 1995. My license number is LCSW 17293.
I am a sixth-year candidate in a PhD program in psychoanalysis at Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies.
Professional Background.
I am a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, starting in 2004.
I am an active member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, San Fernando Valley Chapter.
I am an active member of Los Angeles County Psychological Association
I belong to and attend many continuing education workshops throughout the Los Angeles Psychological Association.
I am a member of Encino Tarzana Regional Medical Center Collegial Consortium.
Special Services.
I am available to speak to groups — on a multitude of topics relating to parenting, Jewish parenting, and making marriage work. In the past year, I have given successful presentations to parents at nursery schools, Hebrew schools and synagogues, as well as to various organizations for young married couples.
I accept many types of insurance, including Aetna, Value Options, Holman Group, Horizon, MHN and Medicare.
I am bilingual in Russian and English.
Contact Irine Today