Author of Happy Harry: A Magical Golden and Charlie: A Love Story Dog Memoirs
Barbara Lampert, Ph.D., MFT
Therapy for Individuals, Couples, and Families
I love seeing people come to life, come out of depressions and anxious states, and gain greater awareness of how to work through no-longer-useful patterns of behavior and thought.
My primary focus in therapy is to address the concerns you present to me and while doing that to provide you with a positive and rewarding therapeutic experience. I do that by listening attentively, being engaged and empathetic. Additionally, I am direct and bring energy and enthusiasm to my work, which tends to motivate and inspire.
I believe the better you feel about yourself, the clearer your judgment will be, and the more effectively you’ll be able to understand and resolve your issues.
In my practice, I’ve seen so many people come to life, get unstuck and inspired, and gain greater awareness of how to work through the ways of thinking and acting that may be holding them back. That may happen for you as well. I think you will find that, as I’ve often been told, the experience of being in a psychotherapy session with me is like being with a very smart friend who wants what’s best for you.
I’m sure that many of your questions and concerns will be answered here. A list of answers to general questions about psychotherapy may be found by clicking here.
Please feel free to email me at barbaralampert@charter.net or call 310 457 2781 or 310 826 8685 if you have any other questions and/or if you would like to make an appointment.
What to Expect
I start by providing you with a safe and energizing environment, an office that is very comfortable and beautiful. I also conduct sessions online, mostly using FaceTime, if you are more comfortable that way.
As we begin therapy, your presenting issues will be my primary concern. I’ll address those issues and your present life circumstances, going back in time to your younger days only as needed. I’ll encourage you to talk about what’s bothering you. I’ll ask you questions, working diligently to get you unstuck. If you’re depressed or anxious, I’ll begin there, attempting to get to the root of what’s causing those moods and helping to alleviate them.
Malibu office
I’ll listen attentively and empathically to what you have to say. Which means I’ll be able to put myself in your place, to experience how you might feel. Then I’ll reflect back to you what I’ve seen and heard. And I’ll let you know what I think, so you won’t have to guess. I may refer you to books, which many people find helpful. I might suggest keeping a journal or participating in a group. I use humor when it’s appropriate.
I tailor my approach to who you are: your age, the kind of work you do, your life experiences, your gender, your family background, your presenting issues, and so forth. If you want to change, if you want your circumstances to change, then I will help to guide you in a new direction. If you’re anxious, often just talking with a therapist about what it is that is making you so nervous will lessen your anxiety. Exercise helps some people. Meditation helps others. Cognitive therapy (training your mind to think differently in the face of a perceived stressful situation) helps others.
My Education, Specialties, and Credentials
Please click here to see information about my education, specialties, and credentials.
Happy Harry: A Magical Golden
Harry prances through life, with an attitude we all would be fortunate to have, facing life's hard knocks head-on with his wonderful, very happy spirit. Harry’s story is inspiring and unforgettable. Find out more here.
Charlie: A Love Story
Charlie was Barbara's loyal confidante and best friend. He was indomitable and had a zest for life and an uncanny emotional intelligence. Charlie: A Love Story is about devotion, joy, loss, and renewal, about never giving up or giving in. But mostly it's about an extraordinary dog and an extraordinary relationship. Find out more here.
