To arrange a session with me, complete the steps above. At your scheduled time, click on the image above for your private chat session.      When you are in pain and overwhelmed, it can be difficult to know what you need or know what to do. I will help you quickly get to the heart of your problems and back to living a fulfilling life. I can help you learn about yourself and learn new skills, in an effort to break cycles of dysfunctional thinking, feeling, and behaving. I realize how hard it is to take the first step, to admit you need help and to reach out. That is why I will strive to make you feel comfortable and safe. I will make a personal commitment to being there for you, to provide a warm and caring connection. Hi, my name is Joseph Costa, PsyD. Welcome to my online office. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of California with over 20 years of experience in counseling, 16 as a licensed psychotherapist.  I will approach your problems from a holistic perspective, working with personal, social, and spiritual aspects of your life. I am an interactive, solution-focused therapist. My therapeutic approach is to provide you with emotional support, help you gain useful insights into your life's issues, give practical feedback to help you effectively address personal life challenges, and teach you the skills for making lasting changes that will help you on your way toward a successful and fulfilling life. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to your specific needs. I will work with you as a unique individual to help you build on your strengths and attain the personal growth you are committed to accomplishing. I truly believe that you can achieve significant improvement in your life satisfaction with the proper help. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION -ANXIETY: Stress, Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD):  Do you ever feel stressed-out, pain and tension in your muscles,  fearful you'll never get things done, that you don't know what to do, panicky, fearful thoughts running through your mind, headaches, stomachaches, frequent thoughts and reliving of traumatic early experiences, nightmares, problems sleeping, cold or sweaty hands, shortness of breath, feeling like you can't sit still,  heart palpitations, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you likely have an anxiety disorder.  Stress and anxiety can have devastating effects on your personal relationships, self esteem, and ruin the enjoyment of your life.  Overcoming your stress and fear is possible. I will teach you the skills needed to get back to a calm and peaceful life.  -DEPRESSION: Do you feel sad, convinced no one truly cares for you,  like you can't do anything right, disappointed, frustrated, angry, irritable, losing interest in the things you used to love, withdrawing from your friends and family, having difficulty paying attention or concentrating, and difficulty sleeping? If you are experiencing any of these you likely have a clinical depression. I can help you understand how you came to feel this way and show you how to improve your mood by teaching proven effective skills for mood management.  -GAY AND LESBIAN ISSUES: Feel confused about your own sexuality or sexual identity? There is hope! You simply require a non-judgment and knowing approach to a self-exploration of your emotions, loves, and desires. Self acceptance is possible! I can help you get to a place where you will know what is right for you and will feel good about being who you are.  -RELATIONSHIP ISSUES: Sometimes relationships just seem impossible. No matter what you do, it seems like you always end up alone, angry, resentful, and hopeless. I will help you move to the point where you can create and maintain joyous and fulfilling relationships. I will teach you the skills of communication, active listening, and assertiveness so that you can resolve issues with your loved ones.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a nurturing relationship where you feel supported and loved? It is possible; it just requires knowing the skills and how to put them into practice. I can also help with issues of divorce and domestic violence. Everyone deserves to feel respected and loved.   -FAMILY AND MARRIAGE ISSUES: Does it sometimes seem like you, your spouse, and your children are moving farther and farther apart? Like no matter how you try, things end in misunderstandings and arguments? I can help you strengthen your communication and bring the magic back to your family. I can also help with parenting issues, disciplinary problems, and ADHD. Your family can be whole again.   -ADDICTION AND RECOVERY:  You desperately want to quit and stay away from using, but can't seem to completely let it go. Sometimes it seems unsolvable. I will help you gain insist into underlying issues and teach you the skills needed to manage or discontinue use.  Learn the skills you need to get sober and maintain sobriety. Others have left behind the life of substance abuse- so can you!  -WEIGHT LOSS: You've tried every fad diet and nothing works. That’s because fad diets treat your weight problem as only a dietary problem, rather than a behavioral and emotional problem. I will help you discover the reasons losing weight has been so difficult for you. I will also help you learn skills like hunger tolerance, sensible eating, and organization skills to take the weight off.  -LIFE AND CAREER COACHING: Do you sometimes feel like you just can't seem to get it together? Like you never seem to get anything done? Does it sometimes feel like your spinning your wheels? I can help you set realistic goals and discipline yourself to reach them by helping you discover the issues that hold you back. -SPIRITUAL ISSUES AND CRISIS OF FAITH: Are the beliefs you grew up with just not working for you anymore? Are you confused as to what is right for you spiritually? I can help you explore spiritual issues and eventually come to a point where you will know what s right for you- to know what will bring you joy. It is possible to feel good about your spirituality again. -SEXUAL ISSUES: Do you have problems with sexual issues or your sexual performance. There are simple and effective ways to work on these issues. You can have an enjoyable sex life again. -LOSS, GRIEF, AND BEREAVEMENT: Have you lost someone or something? Does the loss seem at times too much too bare? It can help to discuss it with someone accustomed to discussing such dark matters. There is a way out of the darkness, make your grief meaningful, and get back to your joyous life again. -PERSONS TAKING OR CONSIDERING PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION: Have you ever thought you might need medications because things just seem too intense and out of control? Are you already on medication and feel unsure if you are comfortable with them? Have you been diagnosed with Clinical Depression, Bipolar, or Schizophrenia and want help in understanding your illness? Or maybe you just feel like you need support traversing the world of psychiatrists? I can help you address these issues since I am knowledgeable about medications and their use and can work with your prescribing physician.   ADDITIONAL AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING: I have received specialized training working with diverse populations including Race, Religion, Gender, as well as Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual persons. I have worked with adults, teenagers, children, couples, families, persons with relationship issues, Gay and Lesbian persons, drug and alcohol addicts, the mentally ill (Major Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia),  patients on psychiatric medication, postal workers on site, college students, sexual and physical abuse survivors, the homeless, and prison inmates.  I have been trained in the following modalities: Cognitive therapy, Schema therapy, Behavioral therapy, Relational therapy, Family therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. EDUCATION: I am a graduate of The Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Minor in Health Psychology. LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION Licensed Psychologist in California. PSY20963 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS The American Psychological Association