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Ms. Elaine Ruth Lipkin, MFT is a family therapist in Hermosa Beach, CA specializing in family therapy. Ms. Elaine Ruth Lipkin, MFT is affiliated with BetterHelp.
“Choosing a therapist hinges on so many factors! Who you are, what you are looking for in therapy. Then there are the therapists available to you, You look at their education, training, experience, therapeutic approaches, etc. Deciding to seek therapy takes courage and you want a good fit. That fit comes from working together, developing trust and a willingness to be open to hearing what each other says.nnI have been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1990. I have worked in the mental health field since 1975, in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and then interning in private practice for three years prior to becoming licensed. I was extremely lucky to have worked at a psychiatric hospital early on that provided staff education with some of the most famous people in the field of psychotherapy, so I feel my foundation is outstanding.nnLife can be hard, overwhelming, frustrating, and exciting. My role as a therapist is to help you help yourself, to identify areas in your life where you might be stuck, understand why you do or feel or act as you do, understand the influences that affect you today. I believe in setting goals in therapy that can be evaluated along the way and changed when needed. Therapy can be short term, very solution oriented. Or can take longer. nnI draw from the various therapeutic approaches that I have studied and put into practice over the years. And apply what I know to each client individually. Clients have described me as compassionate, that I seek to understand what they need, that I am able to hear them, and that I am respectful. I love the connection between myself and my clients that allows me to stay neutral yet utilizes my ability to be empathetic. I will help you to develop the tools needed to make the changes you identify and to incorporate insights that happen along the way.nnI have worked with individuals, families, and couples. My speciality has been working with people going through Infertility and I have had specialized training in this unique area as well as being a therapist with a national support organization. All of this experience and training define who I am as a therapist/counselor today.nnI have a good understanding of how our family of origin affects how we function today and utilize a family systems and a more eclectic approach. But more than what approaches I draw from, that connection I mentioned above is what helps my clients achieve their goals.nnI wish you all the best in your journey and if I am the therapist you contact, I look forward to our work together.”
Connect with this therapist via:
Online messaging - send messages throughout the day as you have time; relax and give yourself opportunity to fully ponder each step of the conversation
Video Visits - connect over video conferencing software for a virtual session -- almost as if you're there in person
Phone Visits - good old-fashioned technology for those who don't want to worry about appearance or who have might have internet bandwidth limitations; a little bit like connecting with an old friend, but with a counselor instead
Instant Message (IM) Visits - real-time chat -- like a phone call, but over text
Connecting with a therapist can be difficult. BetterHelp can help with that. They have an online network of licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors. You can connect with their therapists via online video, phone, real-time chat, or asynchronous messaging. Easily switch therapists until you find one that fits you. Sign up through DocSpot for a discount on your first month's subscription.
Depression
Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."
Some common symptoms of depression include:
We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.
Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.
Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.
Self-Esteem Issues
Self-esteem is the value one assigns to oneself based on a complex combination of factors such as confidence, identity, sense of belonging, and self-image, among others. Self-esteem plays a critical role in determining one's happiness and overall well-being. Those with a very positive self-perception are considered to have "high" self-esteem, whereas those with negative self-perception have "low" self-esteem. Self-esteem does not dictate one's true intelligence, skills, looks, or accomplishments, although it can undermine one's motivation and opportunities. Successful people can have low self-esteem, and in some cases, that low self-esteem might motivate people to work harder at establishing themselves. Self-esteem is also not a binary scale, but a broad spectrum that people may move up or down throughout the course of their lives.
Humans begin to gain self-esteem in childhood from being cared for by adults and reaching natural milestones such as learning how to tie one's shoes. Self-esteem evolves through adolescence and adulthood, and can change drastically based on one's positive and negative experiences. It's important to develop healthy self-esteem to navigate through challenges, make decisions, and gain motivation to pursue interests.
Self-esteem issues can influence one's emotions, behavior, relationships, and world view. Self-esteem issues frequently arise from low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can be caused by factors such as trauma, caregiver neglect, abuse, bullying, and academic, social, or professional difficulties. Stressful life events such as parental divorce, caregiver conflict, and financial problems may also contribute to low self-esteem. In recent years, researchers have highlighted the influence of social media in negatively impacting adolescents' mental health. Common signs of low self-esteem include:
Excessive self-esteem can also be problematic in that it can hinder one's ability to form relationships with others. People with extremely high self-esteem may appear to be conceited or entitled. Some researchers suggest very high self-esteem can lead people to engage in more risk-taking behaviors. Causes of excessive self-esteem are less well-known, but may include upbringing, personality, and cognitive biases.
Fortunately, self-esteem issues can be readily addressed at any time. Positive self-affirmations recognizing one's own accomplishments can raise low self-esteem. Accepting one's own weaknesses and imperfections can benefit those with both low and high self-esteem. People with self-esteem issues often find therapy is an effective means to improve their self-esteem and mental health. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with self-esteem issues identify and change destructive patterns of thought. Support groups, family counseling, and antidepressant medication may also help with self-esteem issues.
Maintaining a positive outlook and belief in oneself can go a long way towards forming healthy self-esteem. Developing a strong sense of self can be important for well-being and contributes to overall happiness and success in life.
She has a state license in California.
Licensed In: California
Ms. Elaine Ruth Lipkin, MFT is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Ms. Elaine Lipkin works as a family therapy specialist in Hermosa Beach, CA. Ms. Lipkin has obtained a license to practice in California.