Helen Muscolo, MFT

I am a California and Idaho licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a practice based in Lafayette, California and Meridian, Idaho. Since 2001, I have been providing psychotherapy services to clients in the Lafayette area, and I expanded my service area to include the Treasure Valley (Meridian, ID) in 2021. Currently, all sessions are conducted via tele-health. My professional experience includes fifteen years of employment with Kaiser Permanente's mental health triage unit, as well as work with community agencies such as Pacific Center for Human Growth (Berkeley), Discovery Counseling Center (Danville), New Connections (Concord), and Contra Costa County Mental Health. I am trained in both psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral theoretical orientations, and when working with children and families, I incorporate family systems theory into my approach.

Therapy Services Provided

I work with a wide variety of clients and issues, and I strive to adjust my style to suit each client's individual needs and concerns. My work has encompassed the following: depression, anxiety, family changes (divorce, remarriage), child behavior issues, parenting, grief and loss, life transitions, couples communication, gay/lesbian issues, trauma, and much more. Here is a brief overview of the types of therapy I specialize in:

• Adolescent & Family Therapy: The adolescent years can be a challenging time for both teens and parents. I provide a safe and confidential space for teens to share their experiences, while also working with families to improve communication and restore harmony.
• Individual Adult Therapy: I work with individual clients in a variety of ways, whether focusing on a specific issue or taking a broader approach that includes deep soul-searching and personal growth.
• Couples Therapy: Relationships can be challenging, and couples often need help navigating difficulties. I encourage active couples work that carries new skills to a couple's lives outside of therapy.
• Older Adult Therapy: I help older adults take stock of their lives and look to the future while reconcile the past.

About Psychotherapy

If you have never been in therapy, the process may seem daunting or even scary. Sometimes it takes a lot of courage to make the first phone call or send the first email to begin the experience. There is nothing mysterious or magical about psychotherapy. People enter therapy for a variety of reasons, but usually it stems from something not seeming right or the feeling that something is missing in their lives. Therapy is a safe space where you can honestly explore yourself, your choices and your relationships. A therapist does not have magic powers to make problems disappear. What therapists do have is specialized skills and training that can help make problems manageable and life more rewarding.

In addition, therapeutic work with adult clients can look dramatically different than that with children and teens. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I work actively with each client to help make progress toward the desired outcome. Clients need to be active too, which can mean a willingness to try new things and make different choices. True change does not happen in a once-a-week 50-minute therapy session. True change happens when the client incorporates the tools learned in therapy into daily life.

My Approach

I take a holistic and individualized approach to therapy, incorporating a variety of techniques and theories to best meet the needs of each client. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is built on trust, empathy, and non-judgment, and I strive to create a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I am committed to helping my clients navigate life's challenges and live fulfilling and meaningful lives.