Teresa Yunker, MFT
"We are formed by actions we have taken in the past; we create our future selves by the actions
we take now." - Rachel Pollack
Professional BiographyCredentials:
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist (CA license)
Certified Alcohol Abuse Treatment Specialist
Community College Educator, lifetime certificationEducation:
Masters, Clinical Psychology: Phillips Graduate Institute
Masters, Professional Writing: University of Southern California
Bachelors, English Literature: University of Southern CaliforniaExperience:
Therapist, private practice since 2005
Professor of Writing, community college level, 1985-2005
MY APPROACH
With an education in clinical psychology, and 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist, I
incorporate different approaches based on the individual.While I believe behavioral action is a necessary requirement to any real
commitment to change, I am not a strict behaviorist. Traditional psychoanalytic approaches are
founded on the necessity of therapeutic insight, but insight alone is not the only goal.
Neuroscience has become the current darling of the psychological sciences in the past decade
or more, and continues to give valuable windows into our brains… but an MRI cannot capture
the heart and soul.And finally, most importantly, there is you. No matter how lame or how gifted the therapist,
you cannot expect he/she to do the work for you. The attitude with which you approach the
adventure of therapy will very much determine its course. It's like joining a gym - the act of signing up alone doesn’t magically transform your level of fitness.
You have to be willing to be willing… open your mind, open your heart.SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
Here are the ones most
frequently used in my practice:
Cognitive-Behavioral
Positive Psychology
Psychoanalysis
Family Systems
Mindfulness Practices (meditation, guided imagery, etc)
EMDR
I prefer to book appointments myself.Contact me via text, call, or email.
I will reply within 24 hrs.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat can I expect in the first session?
We take that time to get to know one another and establish a foundation for our work. We
discuss your current challenges and goals you hope to achieve. If this a first-time experience of
therapy for you, I may explain more about that process, and if you have had therapy in the past,
you can tell me what helped, what did not, and what you are looking for now.How am I supposed to talk openly with a total stranger?
While I am very comfortable and familiar with the therapeutic relationship, I realize that you
may not be. It is true that we are indeed strangers! That fact is precisely the one that guides
the therapeutic boundary. As the relationship progresses, I think you will find that having me be a witness to your life, while not actually in it, quite freeing. And over time we do become
very familiar and comfortable with one another.What is meant by the term “confidentiality”?
It is essential to know that licensed therapists are bound by rules of professional legal and
ethical guidelines that protect patient privacy. While there are exceptions to confidentiality,
those are rare. Those exceptions are: 1) you are at grave physical risk to yourself or others; 2) a
dependent adult and/or child is at grave physical risk; 3) legal proceedings in which a break in
confidentiality is mandated by law.
If I see other people you know in their own sessions, both that person and you are protected by
confidentiality.
Finally, I use a platform, Psychology Today Sessions, for our on-line sessions that is secure and
encryptedWhat Are Your Insurance and Payment Options?
I accept a variety of insurance plans and offer flexible payment options to ensure that therapy is accessible. Please contact me directly to verify your insurance coverage or discuss payment plans that work for you. Payment can be made through Venmo + Zelle. If you have any specific financial concerns, we can explore options together.
OFFICE HOURS:
TUES - FRI 9am - 7pm
SAT: 9am - 3pmSCHEDULING:
I prefer to schedule directly with you. Feel free to call or text me using the link below.
You can also email me at [email protected].I typically see texts first, so even if you leave a voicemail or send an email, it’s best to follow up with a text. You can always direct me to your voicemail or email via text as well.INTRO CALL:
We'll have a brief introductory call (about 15 minutes or less) where you can share what brings you to therapy and ask any quick questions. This is simply a 'meet and greet' to help you decide if you'd like to move forward with scheduling a first session.