LCSW, 20 years of experience
I am Wes Hardcastle-Orr a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of California. I have lived in many states and several countries overseas in my work with active-duty personnel and veterans. I practice a type of CBT called Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapy works well for a broad range of problems and difficulties. Common issues I work with include Depression, Anxiety, Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorders and Work or Personal Stress and much more.
In our first session we will get to know each other, and I will offer you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about therapy or my practice. We will complete a Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment that will allow me to get to know you better and to possibly see if you meet any criteria for a diagnosis so your insurance can cover your care.
I have worked in Mental Health (MH) and in providing quality care for over 20 years. I have an easy going approach that works to go at your pace of change. I believe myself to have a strong knowledge base in Therapy and MH issues and difficulties. The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) I practice works well with a variety of issues and problems. I am very successful in assisting others in their learning about unhealthy or stuck thoughts, emotions and problematic behaviors and how to learn how to change these (including those with depression and anxiety). I also have a broad range of life experiences that helps me to work with and to empathize with the difficulties and problems many of my clients have experienced.
I enjoy working with a broad range of motivated adults from all walks of life including military, veteran and LGBTQ+ individuals. I have worked for 10 years for the Federal Government including the Army and Veteran Health Affairs providing both Substance Use and Mental Health Psychotherapy. I am also part of the LGBTQ+ community and I am married to a great partner and husband who also served in the U.S. Navy.
I have an advanced training in Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RE-CBT) which I use to help persons with a variety of problems and difficulties including mood, stress, interpersonal relationships, work issues and substance use disorders.
Motivational interviewing is a technique of assessing where a person is at in terms of thinking about and/or wanting to make change. It is an approach to "motivate" clients to move from thinking about change and actively making positive change towards their desired goals in life. I have had several trainings on this approach over the last ten or so years and often bring in this strategy to help clients.