Stress, crisis, changes, or losses in life can create feelings of distress, depression/anxiety, and can take a toll on your mental and physical functioning. There are times when all of us could use the presence and the support of someone who can help us better understand and resolve challenging emotional experiences. Starting on the road of healing and change by entering psychotherapy is a courageous first step.

SERVICES

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES:

• Individual Psychotherapy
• Couples Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Child and Adolescent Therapy

TREATMENT OF:

• Anxiety and Worry
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Phobias
• Interpersonal Problems
• Adjustment/Coping
• Bereavement/Grief
• Relationship Problems
• Social Anxiety
• Personal Growth Issues
• Post-Traumatic Disorders

OUR OFFICE

152 S. Lasky Drive, #101
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Contact Us

Interested in scheduling an appointment, a consultation, or just have a question, please contact us below.

Dr. Izolda Sigal, Ph.D.

For over 25 years I have worked extensively with adults, children, and families facing various forms of emotional distress, relationship problems, life and career adjustment, self-esteem issues, trauma, and pain.

In addition to providing individual, family and couples therapy, throughout my career I have studied and researched the effects of personal experiences on one’s perception of self and overall sense of well-being.  

I am committed to working with you to achieve your goals in a safe and respectful therapeutic environment. In both individual psychotherapy, family or couples counseling, we will work together to understand how ordinary life events – as well as unusual stressors, losses, and traumas – can have an impact on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Together, we will work to expand your inner strength and self-awareness so that you can make meaningful, desired, and long-lasting positive changes.

Testimonials

RELEVANT ARTICLES

How to Choose a Therapist

July 8, 2017

This is an article from the American Psychological Association which might be helpful:

How to choose a psychologist/Therapist

At some time in our lives, each of us may feel overwhelmed and may need help dealing with our problems. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 30 million Americans need help dealing with feelings and problems that seem beyond their control — problems with a marriage or relationship, a family situation or dealing with losing a job, the death of a loved one, depression, stress, burnout or substance abuse. Those losses and stresses of daily living can at times be significantly debilitating. Sometimes we need outside help from a trained, licensed professional in order to work through these problems. Through therapy, psychologists help millions of Americans of all ages live healthier, more productive lives.

Consider therapy if...

• You feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness, and your problems do not seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends. 

• You are finding it difficult to carry out everyday activities: for example, you are unable to concentrate on assignments at work, and your job performance is suffering as a result. 

• You worry excessively, expect the worst or are constantly on edge.

• Your actions are harmful to yourself or to others: for instance, you are drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs or becoming overly argumentative and aggressive.

What is a psychologist and what is psychotherapy?

Psychologists who specialize in psychotherapy and other forms of psychological treatment are highly trained professionals with expertise in the areas of human behavior, mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and behavior change. Psychologists work with patients to change their feelings and attitudes and help them develop healthier, more effective patterns of behavior.

Psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people change their thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Psychotherapy is a collaborative effort between an individual and a psychologist. It provides a supportive environment to talk openly and confidentially about concerns and feelings. Psychologists consider maintaining your confidentiality extremely important and will answer your questions regarding those rare circumstances when confidential information must be shared.

How do I find a psychologist?

To find a psychologist, ask your physician or another health professional. Call your local or state psychological association. Consult a local university or college department of psychology. Ask family and friends. Contact your area community mental health center. Inquire at your church or synagogue. Or, use APA's Psychologist Locator service.

What to consider when making the choice

Psychologists and clients work together. The right match is important. Most psychologists agree that an important factor in determining whether or not to work with a particular psychologist, once that psychologist's credentials and competence are established, is your level of personal comfort with that psychologist. A good rapport with your psychologist is critical. Choose one with whom you feel comfortable and at ease.

Questions to ask

• Are you a licensed psychologist? How many years have you been practicing psychology?

• I have been feeling (anxious, tense, depressed, etc.) and I'm having problems (with my job, my marriage, eating, sleeping, etc.). What experience do you have helping people with these types of problems?

• What are your areas of expertise — for example, working with children and families?

• What kinds of treatments do you use, and have they been proven effective for dealing with my kind of problem or issue?

• What are your fees? (Fees are usually based on a 45-minute to 50-minute session.) Do you have a sliding-scale fee policy?

• What types of insurance do you accept? Will you accept direct billing to or payment from my insurance company? Are you affiliated with any managed care organizations? Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid insurance?

Finances

Many insurance companies provide coverage for mental health services. If you have private health insurance coverage (typically through an employer), check with your insurance company to see if mental health services are covered and, if so, how you may obtain these benefits. This also applies to persons enrolled in HMOs and other types of managed care plans. Find out how much the insurance company will reimburse for mental health services and what limitations on the use of benefits may apply.

If you are not covered by a private health insurance plan or employee assistance program, you may decide to pay for psychological services out-of-pocket. Some psychologists operate on a sliding-scale fee policy, where the amount you pay depends on your income.

Another potential source of mental health services involves government-sponsored health care programs — including Medicare for individuals age 65 or older, as well as health insurance plans for government employees, military personnel and their dependents. Community mental health centers throughout the country are another possible alternative for receiving mental health services. State Medicaid programs may also provide for mental health services from psychologists.

Credentials to look for

After graduation from college, psychologists spend an average of seven years in graduate education training and research before receiving a doctoral degree. As part of their professional training, they must complete a supervised clinical internship in a hospital or organized health setting and at least one year of post-doctoral supervised experience before they can practice independently in any health care arena. It's this combination of doctoral-level training and a clinical internship that distinguishes psychologists from many other mental health care providers.

Psychologists must be licensed by the state or jurisdiction in which they practice. Licensure laws are intended to protect the public by limiting licensure to those persons qualified to practice psychology as defined by state law. In most states, renewal of this license depends upon the demonstration of continued competence and requires continuing education. In addition, APA members adhere to a strict code of professional ethics.

Will seeing a psychologist help me?

According to a research summary from the Stanford University School of Medicine, some forms of psychotherapy can effectively decrease patients' depression, anxiety and related symptoms such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are closely linked and that seeing a psychologist can improve a person's overall health.

There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions with a psychologist are far better off than individuals with emotional difficulties who are untreated. One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions, while 75 percent of individuals in therapy improved by the end of six months.

How will I know if therapy is working?

As you begin therapy, you should establish clear goals with your psychologist. You might be trying to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression or control a fear that is disrupting your daily life. Remember, certain goals require more time to reach than others. You and your psychologist should decide at what point you may expect to begin to see progress.

It is a good sign if you begin to feel a sense of relief, and a sense of hope. People often feel a wide variety of emotions during therapy. Some qualms about therapy that people may have result from their having difficulty discussing painful and troubling experiences. When you begin to feel relief or hope, it can be a positive sign indicating that you are starting to explore your thoughts and behavior.

Examples of the types of problems which bring people to seek help from psychologists are provided below:

A man in his late 20s has just been put on probation at work because of inappropriate behavior towards his staff and other employees. He has been drinking heavily and is getting into more arguments with his wife.

Once the contributing factors that may have led to the man's increase in stress have been examined, the psychologist and the man will design a treatment that addresses the identified problems and issues. The psychologist will help the client evaluate how he coped with, and what he learned from, any earlier experiences he had with a similar problem that might be useful for dealing with the current situation.

Functioning as a trained, experienced and impartial third party, the psychologist will help this client take advantage of available resources (his own as well as other resources) to deal with the problem. The psychologist also will assist this client with developing new skills and problem-solving strategies for confronting the problem he faces.

Crying spells, insomnia, lack of appetite and feelings of hopelessness are some of the symptoms a woman in her early 40s is experiencing. She has stopped going to her weekly social activities and has a hard time getting up to go to work. She feels like she lives in a black cloud and can't see an end to the way she feels.

The symptoms of depression are extremely difficult to deal with, and the causes may not be immediately apparent. Significant life changes — such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or a child's leaving home for college — may contribute to depression. Psychologists have a proven track record in helping people deal with and overcome depressive disorders.

A psychologist will approach the problems this woman presents by addressing why she is reacting the way she is reacting now. Does she have a history or pattern of such feelings, and, if so, under what circumstances? What was helpful to her before when she dealt with similar feelings, and what is she doing now to cope with her feelings?

The psychologist will work to help the client see a more positive future and reduce the negative thinking that tends to accompany depression. The psychologist also will assist the client in problem-solving around any major life changes that have occurred. And the psychologist may help facilitate the process of grieving if her depression resulted from a loss.

Medical problems may contribute to the symptoms the woman is experiencing. In such cases, medical and psychological interventions are called for to help individuals overcome their depression.

William, a successful businessman, has been laid off from work. Instead of looking for a job, he has gone on endless shopping sprees. He has gotten himself into thousands of dollars of debt, but he keeps spending money.

What can be more perplexing than someone who does the opposite of what appears to be reasonable? William's friends and family members will likely be confused by his behavior. Yet, such behavior is not unfamiliar to psychologists who understand bipolar disorders. Of course, any psychologist would have to do a thorough evaluation to be able to understand the apparently contradictory behavior William exhibits. Following an evaluation, the psychologist might conclude that the behavior actually is a symptom of a depressive or some other form of mood disorder.

Typically, the best results for such a condition have come from treatment that combines medication and therapy. Although psychologists do not provide medication, they maintain relationships with physicians who are able to assess a patient's need for appropriate medication. The psychologist offers understanding of human behavior and psychotherapeutic techniques that can be effective in helping William deal with his disorder.

Scott, a teenager, has just moved across town with his family and has been forced to transfer to a new high school. Once an excellent student, he is now skipping classes and getting very poor grades. He has had trouble making friends at this new school.

For most teenagers, "fitting in" is a critical part of adolescence. Scott is attempting to make a major life transition under difficult circumstances. He has been separated from the network of friends which made up his social structure and allowed him to feel "part of the group."

Young people often respond to troubling circumstances with marked changes in behavior. Thus, an excellent student's starting to get poor grades, a social youngster's becoming a loner or a leader in school affairs losing interest in those activities would not be unusual. A psychologist, knowing that adolescents tend to "test" first and trust second, will likely initially spend time focusing on developing a relationship with Scott. Next, the psychologist will work with Scott to find better ways to help him adjust to his new environment.

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/choose-therapist.aspx

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

July 10, 2017

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

There are obvious signs of depression: feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. But depression can also cause physical symptoms. Physical pain and depression are closely interrelated - pain can cause depression, and depression causes and intensifies pain.

Our brains control our bodies. Each breath, every movement, every sensation occurs due to the coordinated activity of various brain regions. Research shows that pain and depression share common pathways in the the brain. In fact, the same chemical messengers control pain and mood.  According to an article published by the Harvard Medical School, people with chronic pain have three times the average risk of developing psychiatric symptoms–usually mood or anxiety disorders–and depressed patients have three times the average risk of developing chronic pain.

Pain hurts, whether it's caused by arthritis or depression. Depressed and anxious patients may experience many kinds of physical symptoms, including headaches, shortness of breath, chest pressure, dizziness or feeling faint, and fatigue. 

Unfortunately, for more than half of patients who have both depression and pain, the depression diagnosis is missed. It is important to understand the physical symptoms of depression and that treating depression can help with the pain.

Possible Physical Symptoms of Depression

Headaches. Headaches and migraine headaches are fairly common in people with depression. If you already have migraine headaches, they may become worse if you’re depressed.

Back pain.  People who suffer from depression are more likely to develop intense or disabling neck and low back pain than those who are not depressed.

Muscle aches and joint pain. Depression can make any kind of chronic pain worse.

Chest pain. It’s very important to get chest pain checked out by an expert right away. It can be a sign of serious heart problems, but chest pain is also associated with depression.

Digestive problems. Queasiness, nausea, diarrhea and chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can all stem from depression. Depression is a possible cause for digestive disorders, and should be investigated before aggressive treatments are begun.

Exhaustion and fatigue.  Depression and fatigue feed off each other in cycle that sometimes makes it hard to know where one begins and the other ends. People who are depressed are more likely to develop unexplained fatigue, and those who suffer from fatigue are likely to become depressed.

Sleep disturbances. People with depression often have difficulty falling asleep, or awaken in the early hours of the morning and find themselves unable to get back to sleep.

Change in appetite or weight.  Low appetite and weight loss or overeating and weight gain are often linked with depression symptoms.

RESOURCES

Addiction and Recovery Links

Alcoholics Anonymous
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Al-Anon/Alateen
Cocaine Anonymous
Clutterers Anonymous
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Co-Dependents Anonymous
Co-Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Debtors Anonymous
Emotions Anonymous
Families Anonymous
Food Addicts Anonymous
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous
Heroin Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Neurotics Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Online Gamers Anonymous
Pills Anonymous
Sexoholics Anonymous
Smokers Anonymous
Sex addicts Anonymous
Survivors of Incest Anonymous
Workoholics Anonymous

Crisis and Hotline Telephone Numbers

Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-540-4000 (LA. County Dept. of Children's Services) L.A. Co.

Mental Health/Crisis Line  800-854-7771

Suicide Prevention Center213-381-5111

Suicide Prevention Crisis Center 310-391-1253

Assaults Against Women Hotline                                       310-392-8381

Women and Children Crisis Shelter                                     562-945-3939

Rape Treatment Center  310-319-4000

Alcoholics Anonymous 213-936-4343

Cocaine Anonymous 310-216-4444

Narcotics Anonymous 909-622-4274

California Youth Crisis Line 800-843-5200

National Crisis Hotlines: 

Alcohol and Drug Helpline 1-800-821-4357

Child Abuse National Hotline 1-800-252-2873

Cocaine National Hotline 1-800-COCAINE

CyberTipline for reporting the exploitation of children. 1-800-843-5678

Domestic Violence Resource Hotline. 1-800-799-7233 

Elder Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-8966

Friends of Battered Women and Their Children 1-800-603-HELP

NAMI Helpline National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 1-800-950-NAMI

National Youth Crisis Hotline  1-800-448-4663

National Child Abuse Hotline  1-800-25-ABUSE

National Mental Health Assn.  1-800-969-6642 

National Institute of Mental Health Information Line 1-800-647-2642

Runaway Switchboard - National 1-800-621-4000

SAFE (Self-Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-366-8288

Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663

Domestic Violence

California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence.org
Domestic Violence Self-Help Center, California Courts
Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships

Associations & Institutes

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
American Couseling Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
American Psychological Science
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
California Board of Psychology
Mental Health America
National Institute of Mental Health
 

Disclaimer for External Links & Organizations

These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Dr. Sigal of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Dr. Sigal bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site or organization for answers to questions regarding its content.

Fees and Insurance

I am considered an “out of network” provider, as I am not contracted with any insurance company.  Sessions are generally 50 minutes in length, though extended sessions can be arranged when necessary.  Payment is due at the time of service and can be made by credit card, check, or cash.  An itemized statement for services rendered can be provided upon request.  If you plan to seek reimbursement through your insurance, please call your insurance carrier directly and ask about your out-of-network behavioral health benefits (including deductible, out of pocket maximum, and what insurance will cover once your deductible has been met).

Scheduling

To request an appointment, please go to the CONTACT US page above, email me at dr.sigal.psychology@gmail.com or call 323-886-2660.  Please include your name, the best way to contact you, and whether I have your permission to leave a detailed voicemail.  I will contact you to discuss scheduling options. 

Cancellation Policy

Your appointment time is saved specially for you.  If you need to reschedule your appointment, please notify me a minimum of 48 hours in advance.  If you cancel less than 48 hours of your appointment, you will be charged the full cost of the session.  

Good Faith Estimate Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your mental health care will cost.  Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.  You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. 

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.  For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises. 

Links to news and articles:

Hopefully, you will find these news stories and articles relating to therapy interesting:

From the Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/22/first-time-at-therapy_n_4612858.html

From USA Today:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/07/11/employee-takes-sick-leave-mental-health-ceos-response-refreshingly-rare/467249001/

From NBC News:

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/here-s-how-sleep-loss-can-affect-alzheimer-s-n781501

From Women's Health:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/stress-eating-weight-gain