Eileen Houtzer
Eileen Houtzer
(she/her)
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 17 years of experience, I am dedicated to providing compassionate counseling services to individuals and couples in California. With a master's degree in Counseling and a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, I have worked in private practice, community college, hospital, and workplace settings, offering both long-term and short-term treatment for a wide range of mental health concerns.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our first session, we will take the time to discuss what brings you to therapy and explore your goals and expectations for our work together. This is an opportunity for you to share your story, ask questions, and get a sense of my therapeutic style. We will collaboratively begin to develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and discuss the logistics of our sessions moving forward. Most importantly, our first meeting is a chance to establish a foundation of trust and rapport as we embark on this journey together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel heard, validated, and empowered to make positive changes in your life. Together, we will work to gain insight into your unique experiences, develop practical coping strategies, and cultivate greater self-awareness and self-compassion. Ultimately, I aim to support you in building resilience, strengthening relationships, and finding a greater sense of meaning and purpose.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My focus is on helping individuals navigate life's challenges, including aging, anger management, anxiety, behavioral issues, coping skills, depression, domestic violence, grief, job stress, life transitions, men's and women's issues, mood disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem, and stress. In our work together, there is no right or wrong way to engage in the therapeutic process. We will go at your own pace, addressing the needs that are most important to you. Through open and supportive dialogue, we will work to understand your concerns, help you trust your own capabilities, and explore resilient approaches for managing life's challenges more mindfully and effectively.
About Eileen Houtzer
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
AEDP as a treatment method provides a safe and supportive environment in which to build a secure attachment enabling you to facilitate the processing of difficult emotions.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
In Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, the approach involves understanding that the mind is composed of various "parts" with distinct thoughts, feelings, and roles, rather than a singular, unified self. I use this approach to guide clients to identify these parts, understand their functions, and ultimately, to heal the wounded parts, leading to greater self-compassion and balance within the internal system.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment, without judgment.
Polyvagal Therapy
I utilize Polyvagal therapy, to focus on regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to promote safety, connection, and resilience, helping clients become aware of their body's responses so they may consciously shift to a more regulated state.
Psychodynamic
I use psychodynamic therapy to help you explore past experiences and unconscious patterns to understand your current emotional and relationship difficulties. This is meant to help you in identifying recurring themes and defense mechanisms that may be hindering personal growth or causing distress.