Richard Gilbert
If you’re a client who works with me, you can trust that you have a therapist with the highest level of education and training (B.A from Princeton; Ph.D. from UCLA), extensive experience working with individuals and couples, and a record of professional accomplishment (University Professor, Director of a Graduate Program in Counseling, author of multiple books and articles in the areas of Clinical Psychology and Human Development.) In addition to my work in psychology, I have a background in the creative arts as a Grammy award-winning songwriter and a published novelist. Because of this added dimension, some of my clients have welcomed suggestions for excellent stories, novels, movies, or television shows that depict characters who face similar challenges to their own and our discussions of these works and characters have provided these clients with another valuable source of understanding and growth.
But in our sessions, you can expect much more than just credentials: You can expect that the problems that brought you to therapy will be quickly and deeply understood.
On a personal note, I grew up on the East Coast before relocating to California and I’m the father of two daughters.
First session
In the first session, I'd go over the ground rules for therapy, understand why the client sought out treatment now, what they see as the main issues they need to work on, and what would constitute success in our work and in their life.
Strengths
My areas of strength as a therapist are intelligence; depth of professional experience; wisdom gathered from a life of diverse experiences and reflection; genuineness and being a real person; warmth, empathy, and respect for my clients; and a belief in a client’s ability to improve their life given sufficient understanding, time, support, and a commitment to grow.
Ideal clients
As long as a prospective client is ready to be open and sincerely desires to address their issues, they are an ideal client to me!
Treatment methods
Attachment-based
In order to have a full understanding of my client's life and to best tailor the treatment to the client's needs, I spend some time exploring the 3 primary attachment relationships that help shape who we are and how we operate in the world: the relationship to one's mother, the relationship to one's father , and the relationship to the parent's relationship to each other. This sets a strong foundation for the work.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
To improve the client's mental health and effectiveness in the world, I encourage them to accept their issues rather than judging themselves or feeling shame and to take a growth perspective in striving to change and improve (Acceptance). I then helping them to define their core values and engage in present and future actions that are consistent with these values (Commited Action). The combination of a non-judgmental, accepting and growth orientation along with committed actions that are aligned with core values is often a prescription that leads to positive change in a person's life.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 15285