Navigating life's challenges can be daunting, especially when they stem from deep-rooted experiences like childhood trauma or complex PTSD. But you're not alone in this journey. As a therapist, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can freely express, process, and explore their emotions. Whether you're an active-duty military member, part of a neurodiverse couple, or an individual facing various struggles, my goal is to support you every step of the way. Together, we'll work towards cultivating hope, resilience, and inner strength, empowering you to lead a more fulfilling life. I possess a decade-plus of expertise in aiding adults, adolescents, couples, and families during challenging times. With a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy, I am licensed in CA and OR and boast additional certifications in various modalities, including trauma-informed therapy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we will begin with brief introductions to get to know each other and establish a comfortable rapport. I will ask you to share some background information about yourself, including your current situation, personal history, and any specific challenges or concerns you are facing. This initial discussion helps me gain a comprehensive understanding of your unique circumstances. Next, we will delve deeper into the specific issues that brought you to seek therapy. I will ask you about your experiences and difficulties and any other areas of your life where you feel stuck or overwhelmed. This conversation will allow me to identify the key areas we need to focus on and help me tailor a treatment plan that addresses your individual needs. During this session, I will also explain my therapeutic approach and the techniques we might use in our work together. This could include evidence-based therapies such as EMDR for trauma, cognitive-behavioral strategies for OCD, and Gottman methods for relationship issues. I will provide an overview of what you can expect in our sessions and answer any questions you might have about the process. We will also discuss your therapy goals. What do you hope to achieve? What changes are you looking to make in your life? Setting clear and achievable goals is crucial for measuring progress and ensuring our work aligns with your aspirations. Finally, I will outline a preliminary plan for our future sessions. This plan will be flexible and adaptable, allowing us to make adjustments as needed based on your progress and feedback. I aim to create a supportive and collaborative environment where you feel empowered to take an active role in your healing journey. By the end of our first session, you should have a clear understanding of the therapeutic process, a sense of our direction, and a feeling of comfort and trust in our working relationship. This foundation will set the stage for meaningful and effective therapy, helping you achieve a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My key strengths include strong cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness. I have extensive experience working with diverse groups, displaying cultural, sexual orientation, and spiritual sensitivity. My work focuses on underserved populations, particularly BIPOC communities. I am proficient in addressing various DSM V diagnoses that affect clients' work and family life, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, childhood trauma, systemic racism, eating disorders, addiction, and infidelity. My multilingual abilities allow me to offer therapeutic services in multiple languages, including Hindi and Punjabi, enhancing my ability to connect with and serve diverse populations. I am trained and certified in numerous therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, Gottman Methods, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Anger Management. I hold significant professional affiliations and certifications, such as being an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and CAMFT Certified Supervisor. These certifications highlight my expertise and leadership in the field. My experience spans various clinical settings, including military family life counseling, addiction recovery services, and private practice. This diverse experience allows me to adapt and provide effective therapy across different settings and populations. I have demonstrated the ability to build caring and collaborative environments in academic settings, clinical practice, or community engagements.
About Dr. Smita Kapoor
Identifies as
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
Attachment plays a significant role in our lives and influences how we react and respond to situations as adults. Our early attachment experiences shape our emotional and psychological development, affecting our relationships, coping mechanisms, and overall mental well-being. In my practice, I utilize attachment-based therapy to heal trauma, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. This therapeutic approach focuses on understanding and addressing the root causes of emotional distress, often stemming from early attachment wounds. By exploring and repairing these foundational relationships, we can foster healthier patterns of behavior, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall mental health. Attachment-based therapy offers a compassionate and effective pathway to healing, helping individuals build secure and fulfilling connections in their lives. Clients can achieve greater self-awareness, resilience, and well-being through this method.
EMDR
I am a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist dedicated to helping individuals overcome trauma and various mental health disorders. EMDR therapy is a powerful and evidence-based approach that has been shown to be highly effective in treating conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more. The EMDR process involves guiding clients through a series of bilateral eye movements while they focus on distressing memories or thoughts. This helps to reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional intensity and enabling clients to develop healthier perspectives. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR often leads to faster and more profound healing by directly targeting the brain's natural healing processes. As an EMDR therapist, I provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore and resolve their traumatic experiences. I aim to empower individuals to reclaim their lives, fostering resilience and promoting long-term mental well-being. Whether you're dealing with recent trauma or long-standing issues, EMDR therapy can offer a transformative path to healing and recovery.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I am a certified Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapist, a specialized form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) particularly effective in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-related disorders. ERP therapy involves exposing clients to thoughts, images, and situations that trigger their anxiety or obsessions while simultaneously helping them refrain from engaging in their usual compulsive behaviors. This method allows individuals to gradually face their fears in a controlled and safe environment, ultimately reducing the power these obsessions and compulsions hold over their lives. By breaking the cycle of avoidance and compulsion, ERP helps clients build resilience, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and improve their overall quality of life. In addition to OCD, ERP has shown effectiveness in treating a variety of anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and specific phobias. My training and experience in ERP enable me to tailor interventions to each client's unique needs, fostering a collaborative and supportive therapeutic relationship.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
In my therapy practice, I integrate mindfulness-based therapy approaches to provide holistic and effective treatment for my clients. Mindfulness-based therapy is a powerful tool that helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment. This awareness fosters a deeper understanding of oneself and the ability to respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Key Components of Mindfulness-Based Therapy Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is at the core of mindfulness-based therapy. This practice involves focusing on the present moment, often through breath awareness, body scans, or guided imagery. By regularly practicing mindfulness meditation, clients learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT is a mindfulness-based therapeutic approach that encourages clients to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. It helps individuals commit to actions that align with their values, promoting psychological flexibility and resilience. Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combines traditional cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns while cultivating a mindful awareness of the present moment. This integration enhances the effectiveness of CBT by fostering a non-judgmental acceptance of thoughts and emotions. Mindful Self-Compassion: Encouraging clients to develop self-compassion is crucial to mindfulness-based therapy. This involves treating oneself with the same kindness and understanding as one would a close friend, especially during times of failure or difficulty. Self-compassion practices can help reduce self-criticism and promote emotional healing.
Gottman method
I am a Level 2 Gottman Therapist, certified in utilizing the Gottman Method to foster and enhance relationships between couples. This evidence-based approach, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman focus on improving communication, deepening emotional connections, and managing conflicts constructively. By incorporating techniques such as the Sound Relationship House Theory, I help couples build a solid foundation of trust, commitment, and mutual respect, ultimately leading to more fulfilling and resilient partnerships.