Services.

Individual, group and family therapy are offered in our office setting in Ventura, California. We specialize in treatment of youth 5-18 years and young adults 18-25 years of age dealing with a wide range of social and emotional difficulties.  Adult clients are also served within our practice.  We have extensive experience in addressing at risk behaviors as a result of a psychiatric diagnosis and/or environmental stressors such as divorce or loss.  We provide developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions including play therapy and art therapy within the context of a cognitive behavioral framework.

Empire partners with schools and districts in Ventura County to provide on site school based counseling services.  These services include individual and group counseling, parent  supports and trainings,  educator in-service training and in class Social Emotional Learning activities for youth.  Services are provided to students in special education and general education environments and are dictated by the needs of each school site.  Additional services offered include special time limited activities that promote social emotional growth in children such as MindFUL Schools, Make A Dramatic Change (DramaTherapy) or Self Defense/Self Esteem.

Empire develops and provides mental wellness related training for teachers, staff and parents. Trainings are tailored to meet the specific needs of our partner organizations in the areas of education, parenting, foster care and mental health.  Consultation and training can be tailored to any organization looking to compliment and enhance the mental well-being of it's members. 

Topics include managing difficult behaviors, mindful practice for clinicians, teachers and caregivers, and happy parenting practices. Training topics specific to schools include: Behavior Systems for classrooms; Child Development; ABC’s of Behavior; Increasing Student Compliance and Tips and Tricks for Classroom Management; Staff self Care.

Empire provides psycho-educational screenings and assessments that provide valuable information to families & educational teams including supports and interventions for clients. There are many benefits to seeking a private assessment. If you are concerned about your child’s education, development, mental health or behavior a private assessment can give you peace of mind and a roadmap to navigate the medical and educational settings.  

Services provided under this umbrella include Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE); identifying and describing your child’s cognitive, academic & social-emotional strengths & weaknesses; providing strategic interventions to support your child; suggestions for how to access services & accommodations in the educational and medical settings and educational therapy.  Educational therapy is a method to teach a child strategies in overcoming their executive functioning or learning difficulties. Screenings are helpful in determining a specific need such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia or other emotional disorders.  Behavior Plans can be created along with families and teachers to address unwanted and unhelpful behaviors that get in the way of healthy home and school functioning.