Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist is a professional, compassionate mental health care that helps you understand yourself, process the past, and move forward with clarity — guided by a clinician from the very first session.
What is a Psychotherapist?
A psychotherapist is a mental health professional trained to help individuals work through emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges through structured therapeutic conversation and evidence-based clinical techniques. Unlike a general life coach or wellness advisor, a psychotherapist holds advanced clinical training — equipping them to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, personality disorders, and relationship difficulties.
Psychotherapy — also called talk therapy — is not simply a space to vent. It is a purposeful, clinically guided process in which the therapist and client work together to identify the root causes of distress, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, process past experiences, and build practical skills for living more fully. The approaches used will vary depending on the therapist’s training and the client’s needs, and may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), somatic therapy, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, or an integrative combination of methods tailored to the individual.
Psychotherapist at TrueMe® Counseling
At TrueMe® Counseling, our psychotherapists bring both deep clinical expertise and genuine human warmth to every session. We believe that the quality of the therapeutic relationship — the trust, honesty, and sense of being truly seen — is as important as any technique. Our approach is active and collaborative. Clients don’t just talk; they gain insight, develop tools, and leave each session with something concrete to carry into their lives.
Common signs a Psychotherapist may be for you:
- Persistent emotional distress that doesn't resolve on its own
- Difficulty functioning in daily life, work, or relationships
- Repeating the same patterns despite wanting to change
- Carrying experiences you have never fully processed
If you identify with 2 or more of these, you may be a good candidate for our testing and assessment.
OUR CLINICAL APPROACH
How we treat you — and why it works
Most therapy fails because it’s generic. At TrueMe® Counseling, our therapists use a structured, evidence-based framework built around your specific needs, history, and goals — not a one-size-fits-all program. Whether you’re across the street or across the state, we’re here — in person or virtually throughout California.
Understanding You Beyond the Symptoms
Every person has a unique story. While symptoms like anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, or relationship difficulties may bring you to therapy, they rarely tell the whole story. We begin by understanding your experiences, personal history, strengths, relationships, and goals so we can address the underlying causes of your concerns—not just the symptoms you see on the surface.
Gaining Insight Into the Patterns Affecting Your Life
Many emotional struggles are shaped by recurring patterns in our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Together, we'll explore these patterns to better understand what's keeping you stuck. As your awareness grows, you'll gain the clarity needed to make healthier choices and create meaningful, lasting change.
Using Evidence-Based Therapy Tailored to You
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to psychotherapy. Our licensed and associate therapists use evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Brainspotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, and other clinically appropriate modalities—to create a treatment plan that fits your unique needs, goals, and circumstances.
Building Practical Skills for Everyday Life
Healing isn't just about understanding your struggles—it's about learning how to navigate them differently. Throughout therapy, you'll develop practical tools to regulate emotions, manage stress, improve communication, strengthen relationships, establish healthy boundaries, and respond to life's challenges with greater confidence and resilience.
A Treatment Plan That Evolves With You
Your needs today may not be the same six months from now. That's why your therapist continually reviews your progress, celebrates meaningful milestones, and adjusts your treatment as you grow. Every session is intentional, ensuring your therapy remains relevant, personalized, and focused on helping you move toward your goals.
Helping You Create Lasting Change
At TrueMe® Counseling, our goal is not simply to help you feel better in the moment—it's to help you build a healthier, more fulfilling life. After more than 10 years of serving our community, we've seen that lasting change comes from combining clinical expertise with genuine human connection. By the end of therapy, you'll have greater self-awareness, healthier coping strategies, stronger relationships, and the confidence to navigate life's challenges long after therapy has ended.
YOUR THERAPY JOURNEY
What to expect in therapy
Starting therapy can feel intimidating — especially when you’re already carrying so much. Here’s exactly what the process looks like, step by step.
Free consultation call
Before anything else, you’ll have a brief, no-pressure call to share what you’re going through and ask any questions you have. There’s no commitment — just a conversation to make sure we’re the right fit for you.
Your first session
Your first session is a relaxed, open conversation — not a test. Your therapist will take time to understand your history, your current experience, and what you’re hoping to achieve. Many clients leave their first session already feeling a sense of relief just from being heard.
A personalized plan
Your therapist will work with you to create a plan tailored specifically to your needs — not a generic program, but a personalized roadmap designed around your unique history, goals, and what you’re going through right now.
Ongoing sessions & real tools
Each session builds on the last. Using CBT and other evidence-based methods, your therapist will help you identify the thought patterns and behaviors holding you back — and equip you with practical tools you can use in real life between sessions.
Tracking your progress
Healing isn’t always linear — and your therapist knows that. Progress is regularly reviewed and your plan is adjusted as needed to ensure you’re always moving in the adirection at the right pace for you.
Life beyond therapy
The goal of therapy isn’t just symptom relief — it’s lasting transformation. You’ll finish therapy with a deeper understanding of yourself, a toolkit you carry for life, and the confidence to face whatever comes next.
Meet Our Therapists
TrueMe® Counseling is a team of MFTs and PhDs with decades of combined clinical experience.
Marina Edelman
Founder | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #51009
Cheryl Baldi
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #39801
Dr. Rachel Chistyakov
Doctor of Psychology | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #150001
Sharalee Hall
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #135374
Chris Calandra
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #164783
Suzanne Perry
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #163151
Hayley Willis
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #163642
Jasmine Johnson
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #137660
Sean Palmer
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #161917
FAQ - PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychotherapist
Honest answers from our therapists — before you take the first step.
1. What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor qualified to prescribe medication. A psychotherapist is a clinician who provides therapy through structured therapeutic conversation and evidence-based techniques rather than medication. Both play important roles, and many clients benefit from working with both simultaneously. At TrueMe® Counseling, our therapists work collaboratively with psychiatrists and prescribers when a combined approach is clinically indicated.
2. How is a psychotherapist different from a counselor?
Counseling tends to be shorter-term, more directive, and focused on specific presenting problems. Psychotherapy is typically longer-term, goes deeper into the psychological roots of presenting concerns, and addresses the underlying patterns shaping a person’s emotional life. At TrueMe® Counseling, our approach draws from both — providing immediate practical tools while also doing the deeper work that produces lasting change.
3. How do I know which type of psychotherapy or psychotherapist is right for me?
The most important factor in therapeutic outcomes is not the specific modality — it is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Finding a therapist whose style and approach feel like a genuine fit is more predictive of success than any particular technique. During your consultation, we take time to understand your needs and recommend the therapist most likely to be the right clinical and relational fit for you.
4. What should I expect from the process given by a psychotherapist over time?
Psychotherapy is not linear. Early sessions focus on building the therapeutic relationship and establishing goals. Meaningful shifts often begin within the first four to eight sessions. Deeper change takes longer and requires consistency. Most clients describe the process as one that accelerates as trust deepens — the more honest and invested you are, the faster and more profoundly it tends to move.
5. Is everything I share with my psychotherapist confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is protected by law and governed by HIPAA regulations and California state law. There are a small number of legally mandated exceptions — including imminent risk of harm to yourself or others — which your therapist will explain clearly at the start of your work together. Outside of these narrow exceptions, nothing you share will be disclosed without your explicit written consent.
