I am a licensed Marriage & Family Counselor in Southern California with over 22 years of experience working in private practice and county and state funded agencies that offer behavior therapy to young children, teens and adults diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Treatment included play therapy, ABA, social skills groups and guidance for parents. In private practice, I have a great deal of experience with teens and adults with Asperger’s or high functioning autism, as well as teens and adults with anxiety, depression and other disorders associated with adolescence. I also work with adults of any age. I have been certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is an evidence-based approach that is very effective for numerous problems and disorders including depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD and relationship issues.
My counseling style is warm and interactive with some humor inserted at strategic times. I strongly believe that a sense of humor and the ability to laugh does wonders toward lightening the perception of many “heavy” issues. I treat all clients with respect, and can tailor my treatment approach to each individual client’s needs. I use any appropriate combination of cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, solution-focused and client centered therapy, and I believe in taking a collaborative approach with my clients, allowing them to participate more actively in their sessions.
I am greatly looking forward to working with YOU!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Grief, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Communication problems, Control issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Impulsivity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Sexual Dysfunction, Social anxiety and phobia
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
CA LMFT 36105
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Mara Bruckner. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
My counselor listens to be and helps me reach my personal goals. She is easy to talk to and helps me focus on ways to grow.
Written on Mar 11, 2021 after therapy with Mara for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
I love Mara! I feel like she genuinely knows me in a couple of sessions and I feel so comfortable. So grateful to have her!
Written on Dec 14, 2020 after therapy with Mara for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem
Mara is a strong active listener and highly skilled practitioner of CBT who directs the session with confidence while hosting her clients concerns as they come up during the session.
Written on Nov 30, 2020 after therapy with Mara for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, and bipolar disorder