Wendy Parslow-Helton
I bring compassion and experience to my clients. I've been a licensed therapist for 25+ years.
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Background
experience
Background
experience
Specialties
Background
experience
Specialties
Background
Specialties
Background
Background
experience
Specialties
Background
experience
Experience
I have more than 25 years of experience in the mental health field. I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University.
I did my clinical training here in Southern California. I was blessed with wonderful opportunities to develop my skills in a variety of settings, including community mental health clinics, a foster care agency, an adolescent psychiatric hospital, and in other settings, including private practice.
I have held a number of leadership positions where I supervised other therapists. It has always been important to me to help guide the next generation of therapists by providing mentorship and support.
In addition to clinical experience, I also taught college Psychology classes for many years, first as an adjunct instructor part-time while I was a clinician, and later full-time as a professor.
The pandemic made me realize the great unmet need for mental health care; this influenced my decision to return to private practice.
I have worked extensively with adolescents, couples, and families in the past; however, my current practice is focused on individual adults and young adults.
Background
I was born and raised in Southern California, and did all of my education and training here. Over the course of my career, I also lived and worked in other places, including Phoenix, Arizona, Houston, Texas, Denver, Colorado, the San Francisco Bay Area, and even Big Bear Lake!
Along the way, I have always appreciated the diversity of the human experience, and how important it is to embrace the ways that culture and family influence all of us. I welcome clients of every culture, race, ethnic group, gender, sexual orientation, and family configuration, and strive to make all feel respected, valued, and understood.
We returned to Southern California during the pandemic so that I could be a caregiver to my mom, who suffered from a rare form of dementia. This lived experience of caregiving helped me to help others who are traveling on this same difficult path.
I have been happily married for more than 20 years; this lived experience also helps me to guide clients to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. My husband and I share a passion for travel, sports, and the outdoors, and love to spoil our two sweet rescue dogs.
Therapy Styles and Training
I use an integrated approach; this means that I draw from various methods to meet your specific needs. I believe that therapy is form of self-care, and that my clients deserve kindness, information, and support to address their issues and goals.
I tend to be more authentic, warm, and interactive with my clients. I will definitely listen, but I’ll also provide feedback as well.
I am committed to using evidence-based therapy methods. This means the techniques I use have been scientifically researched and have been shown to be effective.
In addition, I focus on using methods that allow quicker healing, so that you can move forward in your life. These include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This set of techniques focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors. It is usually shorter-term therapy, and research has show that it is effective in treating anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This well-studied protocol allows individuals to heal from upsetting memories in shorter period of time. It works well with trauma, including disturbing events and grief/loss.
As a licensed therapist in California, I am required to obtain a minimum of 36 hours of continuing education every two years. I embrace the opportunities to attend these trainings to improve my skills and learn the latest effective techniques.
Online Teletherapy
My practice is 75% teletherapy. This means that most of my clients work with me online, utilizing the easy-to-use Zoom platform. If you reside anywhere in the state of California, we can work together online via teletherapy!
Research shows that online therapy for individuals is just as effective as in- person therapy.
My clients love the convenience of online therapy! You don’t have to worry about traffic, gas costs, or finding extra time in your schedule to commute to an office. All you need is a computer or phone with camera and microphone, and a private, comfortable spot to have your online sessions. Some of my clients even attend their sessions from their parked vehicles or from private outdoor spaces.
Therapy at My Office
Want to meet with me in-person for your therapy sessions? As of May 2023, I have returned to seeing clients at an office one day per week.
I sublease a lovely space in south Long Beach in an office building just south of the Trader Joe’s shopping center, across from 2nd and PCH and the marina.
This convenient location is easy to access from many local areas, including Long Beach, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, Cypress, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and other southwest Los Angeles County and northwest Orange County locations.
See the Contact page for more information about my office location and scheduling an appointment.
Contact me