| Office: |
Leanne Watt, Ph.D. - Pasadena Psychologist
766 East Colorado Blvd, Suite 203
Pasadena, CA 91101
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| Phone: |
(626) 584-1018
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| E-mail: |
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| Web Site: |
www.leannewatt.com
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| Profession: |
Psychologist
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| Services: |
Psychotherapy/Counseling
Coaching
Neuropsychological Testing
Psychological Evaluations
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| Practice Description: |
Self-shaming & self-critical people and complex couples that bicker often and get entangled easily find emotional relief in my office. As a clinical psychologist in Pasadena for nearly 20 years, I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples & families seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, infertility issues, chronic illness, spiritual issues, addiction recovery (including internet addiction) and many other conditions.
Many of my patients are smart people who've given up on finding effective help. I specialize in treating patients who have been successful in many areas of life, but they’re still feeling incomplete. Some are struggling with deeply entrenched interpersonal & behavioral patterns and have lost trust that a therapist can help them with their particular set of difficulties.
Many of the adults and adolescents that I treat are bothered by unkind and demeaning thoughts that eat away at their self-esteem, leaving them feeling sad and empty. Although they are not always conscious of these menacing "voices", they have significant impact on their peace of mind, and left unchecked, will lead to chronic depression and anxiety.
Some of my patients are super-achievers, skilled at many things, yet feeling unfulfilled, alone and sometimes overwhelmed. They may be avoiding life, afraid to be close or intimate with others; in some instances, they desire contact with others, but find themselves alienated from their social circle and unsure as to why there is no one close in their life.
Many of the couples that I work with are “high maintenance” couples—they bicker often and get entangled easily—injuries and resentments remain unresolved and they build up, leading to feelings of rage and hostility. Some partners shut down completely, unable to express their upset, for fear that there will not be any room for their feelings. When they do speak up, it seems to make matters even worse.
Families who are in crisis are also welcome in my practice. I help to relieve the vicious cycles that plague families who are emotionally stuck. Parents who are ashamed of the way they engage with their kids learn how to identify their own “buttons” so that they are not set off as easily by their kids. Parents also learn how to set firm and kind limits, and how to compel their children to behave appropriately using the most up-to-date behavioral methods. Children & adolescents learn how to express their feelings constructively, and parents learn how to receive feedback so that their kids can feel safe and contained.
In treatment, the childhood roots of self-destructive thoughts & behaviors are explored, & patients learn to replace criticism & shame with kindness. Clients develop the ability to sit still with their emotions, rather than avoiding uncomfortable feelings through compulsive, "busy", or destructive behaviors. Through this process, depression & anxiety are reduced, while patients experience an increase in self-confidence, assertiveness, creativity, & tolerance for intimacy. The most frustrated couples learn to identify feelings & needs & communicate them without using attacking words; when “buttons” are pushed, they learn how to disentangle from each other and reconnect. And as your emotional connection to yourself & others improves, a sense of contentedness replaces your feelings of emptiness.
The latest medical research in the neuroscience and mind-body literature are incorporated into my clinical formulations, to ensure a proper understanding of my patients’ struggles. In addition to my doctorate, I also have a master’s degree in theology with a sensitivity to the spiritual issues that some patients bring into therapy.
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Practice Specialties or Interests:
(Strengths are
in bold text) |
Depression
Anxiety Disorders/Phobias
Relationship Issues
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Co-dependency
Ethnic/Cultural Issues
Grief/Loss
Impaired Professionals
Infertility Issues
Life Transitions
OCD
Parenting Issues
Personal Growth
Personality Disorders
Self-esteem
Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Women's Issues
Mind-Body issues (psychoneuroimmunology research background)
Spiritual issues (Masters Degree Theology)
Addiction Recovery (for those who are sober, but still struggling)
Internet Addiction & Dependency
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| Age Specialties: |
Adolescents
Adults
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| Session Formats: |
Individual
Couples
Family
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| Treatment Approaches: |
Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioral
Existential/Humanistic
Experiential
Interpersonal
Intersubjective
Object Relations
Psychoanalytic
Psychodynamic
Self Psychology
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| Demographic Specialties: |
Christian
Jewish
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| Education: |
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
Fuller School of Psychology, 1991
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Clinical Psychology
UCLA Medical Center, 1992
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Neuropsychology
USC School of Medicine & NIH, 1994
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| License #: |
PSY #13321 |
| License State: |
California |
| Professional Affiliations: |
 | American Psychological Association | | Psi Chi National Honor Society |
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| Office Hours: |
Monday - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; Tuesday 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Wednesday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Thursday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm |
| Driving Directions: |
210 freeway to Pasadena; exit Lake Avenue; go south on Lake to Colorado; right (west) on Colorado). Office is located on Colorado Blvd in historic Florence Building in Pasadena Playhouse District, between Hudson & Oak Knoll. Parking available on the street.
 View map
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Additional Information
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| Years in Practice: 16-20 |
| Gender: Female |
| Accepting New Clients: Yes |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes |
| Public Transportation: Yes |
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