LIFE Services
We’re here to help.
From your first contact with our office, you will be in the compassionate, capable hands of a LIFE therapist. We listen carefully to your concerns and issues to match you with the therapist best suited for your specific need.
Check out our services and offerings below:
Individual Therapy
Sometimes new clients call requesting a particular therapist; other times they outline their problems and ask who on our staff is best suited to assist them. There are many therapeutic forms and techniques, and each individual comes to therapy bringing a unique life experience and a life story.
In our first conversation with you, we will schedule an appointment. For over 35 years, we have been providing psychological services to our communities. We will make certain you find an effective environment where your needs will be addressed.
Family Therapy
Family therapy brings all family members together to sit with a trained professional and work in a constructive way to communicate more effectively, mend wounds, and reorganize operational problems that may be hindering members of the family. Our families are by far the most influential social structure of our lives. Having everyone gather to heal and reshape an ongoing relationship can be very powerful. We offer these services to homogenous families, families of divorce, blended step-families, and families of origin (grown adults with their adult siblings and their parents).
Couples Counseling
We are committed to providing the most current and effective therapy available to help couples reinvigorate their relationships. Alan has specialized in couples’ therapy for the past 20 years, writing articles and producing a CD series on the topic. Several LIFE therapists also have an extensive background working with couples in their psychotherapy practice.
We dedicate our first three sessions of couple work to gathering information and clarifying each partner’s expectations for their marriage and the therapeutic process.
Adolescent Therapy
After you contact our office, we will schedule at least three sessions for evaluation of your teen and his/her presenting problem. During this process, ideally we will interview both parents, the teenager, ancillary support staff (doctors, prior therapists, school counselors, etc.), and other significant people the family deems important to the diagnostic process. From the information we glean, a treatment plan will be designed utilizing treatment modalities we feel most effective to achieve the goals of therapy. These may include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and possibly work with nutritionists, tutors, life coaches, study partners, recovery programs, 12-step counselors, and the like. We will do everything within our power to help you help your teenager.
Child Therapy
Much like adolescent therapy, we will schedule at least three sessions for evaluation of your child, interview all necessary supports (doctors, prior therapists, school counselors, teachers, etc.), and develop a treatment plan. When children cannot express their feelings verbally, they may act out in a variety of ways. Many children need help dealing with school stress, such as homework, test anxiety, peer pressure, or bullying. Others may need help gaining awareness of their thoughts and feelings about family issues, particularly if there’s a major transition. We help children and their families cope with these stresses and reach their potential.
Trauma Work
Some clients seek our services after experiencing a severe trauma. Ron Sharpshair has specialized training and skill in providing the state-of-the-art therapeutic assistance. He utilizes such techniques as EMDR, hypnosis and mind-body integration work. Not all life traumas are the same, nor are they retained in the same way by everyone. Ron offers a complimentary initial visit during which he will listen to your story and ascertain if his form of therapy would be effective. If so, we will then discuss with you how treatment will proceed.
Issue Based Therapy
Life offers up many challenges that can be difficult to assimilate. Such events include the loss of a job, conflict with a friend, concerns over child rearing, blending a step-family, adjustment to a move, an emptying nest, a career change—the list is as varied as life experience. Therapy can be helpful to process the effects of such issues, offering ideas, opportunities and information. The nature of such therapy is preventative. Processing the issues as they occur often keeps them from accumulating and later surfacing to sabotage some other aspect of life. One of our clients described issue-based sessions as her way of “keeping the closet clean.”
Therapy as Part of Recovery
The LIFE staff has years of experience treating many forms of addiction, along with their effects on couples and families. (See LIFE Therapists profiles.) We offer men’s recovery groups, networking with local recovery programs (like AA, CA, MA, Alanon, and ACA), as well as support in finding sponsors. We have working relationships with a number of inpatient and outpatient programs specialized in treating both adult and adolescent dependency issues. Al Ludington, Ron Sharpshair and Jimi Magner all integrate recovery therapy with the various support services. Addiction is a family illness. It often takes the entire family’s involvement to achieve the best outcome for recovery.
Adolescent Group Therapy
Led by Danial Veselak, MFT
For teenagers, their world is getting increasingly complex. Stress builds, responsibilities mount, and their time is limited. Talking about what’s on their mind helps bring relief and calm. Group therapy provides a release from all of the pent up frustrations and concerns and gives the opportunity to relate to other teens with the same issues! To register for group today, please call Daniel: 905-449-4375 Ext. 7, or email: Daniel@ludingtoninstitute.com.
Middle School Group Therapy
Middle schoolers can join their fellow peers in a supportive group and learn new ways to manage middle school stressors. Topics will include social skills, peer relationships, time management, and balancing home life and school life. For more information regarding Group Therapy, contact our information line at 805-449-4375 Ext. 9.
High School Group Therapy
Led by Daniel Veslack, MFT
FOur weekly high school support group allows teenagers to connect with peers in a group setting of 8-10 other teens. Members process through their social, familial, interpersonal, and academic stresses magnified by this increasingly complex and complicated world. This process group allows teens to work through their anxiety and fears, and to develop coping skills in a safe, confidential setting led by two professional therapists.
Young Adult Group Therapy
Led by Melody Black, MFT
Our young adult group offers exploration of hot topics impacting this stage of life. Topics include launching from the family home, setting and achieving academic and career goals, and navigating intimate relationships. Participants learn the coping tools of connection, mental health wellness and developing confidence in themselves.
School Counselor Trainings and Workshops
Alan Ludington holds School Counselor trainings and workshops two times a year for the Conejo Valley. He gathers therapists and professionals in the field to present their knowledge on hot topics our youth is facing today. Please email Lauren at intake@ludingtoninstitute.com if you would like to register for our upcoming trainings and workshops