DeAnne Bender

Greetings! I am DeAnne Bender, a Marriage and Family Therapist located in Ventura County, California, serving clients statewide via telehealth. I provide therapy to individual adults who are experiencing various life stressors and/or mental/emotional challenges that prevent them from thriving in one or more areas of life. As a therapist, it is my overarching goal to accompany my clients along their therapeutic journeys to the wellness of mind, body, and soul.

My approach

My theoretical foundation is depth psychology which recognizes the myriad of individual, collective, conscious, and unconscious influences driving our lives. My therapeutic approach is derived from the needs and interests of the client. Some clients benefit greatly from the concrete skill-building offered by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, while others find healing through creative expression and reflection. When therapy begins, the client and I explore together which approach will best address the client's symptoms/situation.

My focus

I provide therapy to individual adults (ages 18+) who are experiencing relationship issues, life transitions, loss, depression, anxiety, and/or other mental, emotional, and physical stressors that impede their ability to live fully and healthy. By means of the therapeutic experience, I strive to facilitate these adults along their journeys of self-exploration, psycho-education, and skill-building that will enable them to live their lives aligned with their personal values and goals.

My communication style

One of my key values as a therapist is to provide a safe, accepting space for my clients to tend to their inner work. To that end, my overall communication style is nonjudgmental, calm, supportive, patient, and collaborative!

My journey to mental healthcare

For several years through volunteering, I interacted with children, teens, and adults who were challenged with either life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Through these experiences, I learned very keenly that, quite simply, every life is extraordinary. If, as a therapist, I can assist others to realize a better life, then doing so is my sincere privilege.

My goals for you

Goal setting is a collaborative process that starts as early as the first session. Without question, the client determines the desired outcomes of their therapeutic journey. It is essential that the designated goals are meaningful to the client. As a therapist, I will offer suggestions and insights during the goal-setting process. If needed, I will help formulate the desired outcome within a SMART framework.

My first session with you

After reviewing some basic administrative items, I like to check in with the client to see if they have any questions and/or concerns they would like to discuss before we begin. Once those have been addressed, the client is encouraged to share what has brought them to therapy. I usually ask many questions about this and various aspects of the client's life so that we can place their presenting issue into a larger context. Then, through contemplating what changes the client would like to happen as a result of their therapeutic journey, we initiate goal-setting and plan the next steps.