Ascend Individual & Family Therapy Services

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Ascend Individual & Family Therapy Services Bilingual Therapists offering therapy services to individuals and families in California.

19/07/2026

8am low tides in Ventura đŸ«¶ The beach is amazing. Period.

26/06/2026

Mid town Ventura. See something say something. This happened right in front of our house and luckily I had luma and some pepper spray. Neighbors were notified! 🙏

20/06/2026

Navigating the Teen Years
Ever wonder why a teenager might seamlessly nail an e-bike wheelie one minute, but make a completely baffling decision the next? It all comes down to a work in progress: the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for:
* Impulse control* and weighing long-term consequences.
* Risk assessment* and emotional regulation.
*Executive decision-making* skills.
Because the prefrontal cortex doesn’t fully mature until a person’s mid-20s, teens rely heavily on the brain’s emotional center (the amygdala) to process information.

The Social Factor
When you add an e-bike—and a group of peers—into the mix, the stakes change. Social reward sensitivity peaks during the teenage years. In the presence of friends, the desire for social acceptance or the thrill of peer admiration can temporarily override a teen’s developing risk assessment. A decision made perfectly fine on a solo ride can completely shift when social factors and peer dynamics take the handlebars.

Finding Equilibrium
E-bikes offer an incredible sense of freedom, outdoor connection, and mental clarity for youth. The goal isn’t to take away the keys to that freedom, but to help them build the scaffolding for better choices. By encouraging open conversations about peer influence and setting clear boundaries, we can help them navigate both the road and their own developing minds safely. -bike

9 years as a therapist. It hasn’t always been easy, but every day brings a fresh reminder of how blessed I am by the inc...
11/06/2026

9 years as a therapist. It hasn’t always been easy, but every day brings a fresh reminder of how blessed I am by the incredible individuals who log on or walk through that door. I am profoundly grateful to do this work—driven by love, and sustained by the grace of God. Cheers to the next chapter!

06/06/2026

Can we talk about parenting for a second? Some, if not most days are hard. Getting out the door is a struggle to get out but this moment reminded me that none of that chaos is not necessary. Our nervous systems, specially kids, crave calm and regulated feedback. I will be the first one to say that I have a lot of things to work on so I hope you have reminders of why you do things for your family. âœŠđŸœ

20/05/2026

Navigating Fire Season: Supporting Our Kids (and Ourselves)

1. Model Calmer Waters
Children act as emotional barometers; they tune into our nervous systems to gauge how worried they should be. It is entirely okay to feel anxious, but try to process your deepest fears with other adults away from little ears. When you speak to your kids, use a calm, grounded tone.

2. Limit the Media “Background Noise”
While staying informed is crucial for safety, having news broadcasts looping in the living room or constantly checking updates on your phone creates an atmosphere of chronic threat.
* Keep the news off when children are in the room.
* Distill the facts for them calmly, focusing on what is happening *right now* to keep them safe.

3. Focus on Action and Agency
Anxiety thrives on helplessness. Counteract this by giving children small, manageable ways to feel in control.
* Have them help pack a “comfort bag” with a favorite toy or book.
* Frame safety measures positively: *”We are staying indoors today to give our lungs a rest and keep them strong,”* rather than *”The air outside is toxic.”*

4. Create “Indoor Magic” to Counteract Isolation
Being cooped up inside disrupts a child’s natural need for movement and play. When outdoor play is paused, intentionally shift the energy indoors. Build forts, host a family board game tournament, or do indoor yoga. Making the indoor time feel distinct and cozy can buffer the feeling of being trapped.

5. Validate, Don’t Dismiss
If your child says they are scared, avoid rushing in with *”You’re fine, don’t worry.”* Instead, try: *”I understand why you’re scared. The sky looks strange today. But our family has a plan, and the firefighters are working incredibly hard to keep everyone safe. We are safe right here.”

A gentle reminder for the adults: You cannot pour from an empty cup. The collective anxiety of fire season is exhausting. Be gentle with your own capacity right now, lower your expectations for daily productivity, and lean into simple moments of connection with your family. We get through this by staying grounded together.

We celebrate my dad’s heavenly 55th birthday the other day. Grief hit me like a bag of bricks. All the feelings were fel...
21/04/2026

We celebrate my dad’s heavenly 55th birthday the other day. Grief hit me like a bag of bricks. All the feelings were felt and acknowledged. Hope you find some reassurance and peace in the following verse like I did: John 16:22: “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” Keep pushing đŸ«¶

Career week at school! Promoting mental health one kid at a time đŸ™âœŠđŸœ
15/04/2026

Career week at school! Promoting mental health one kid at a time đŸ™âœŠđŸœ

23/02/2026

Best medicine ☀

16/02/2026

No matter how intense the storm is (literally and figuratively) keep moving forward like this snail. On that note, I am back to accepting northern CA Kaiser insurance. Reach out to me directly for more information. đŸ™đŸ«¶

Address

9452 Telephone Road #282

93004

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00
Thursday 08:30 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+17077907591

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