Cheryl Youngblood

Greetings and welcome. I’m Cheryl Youngblood, a native Californian with approximately 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. My passion for helping others has been rooted in who I am since I was a child. Having worked for many years as the director of a foster/adopt agency, and realizing that so many people of all ages and backgrounds are plagued with trauma, domestic violence, self-injurious behaviors, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health concerns, I decided that I wanted to expand my knowledge base, and my capacity for helping others, so I obtained my licensure in social work. In addition, I am also Gerontology informed, and have a keen interest in working with mature clients. I bring a unique psychological perspective and therapeutic style, based on compassion and understanding. I acknowledge the diverse needs of senior clients, and together we can address issues like adjustment to retirement, existential anxiety, grief, transitioning to assisted living, and cognitive challenges. I am knowledgeable and equipped to also assist clients who are caregivers for their elderly parents or family members, while simultaneously navigating their own lives as well. Together we can work on fruitful strategies, that may assist in alleviating caregiving stress and effectively managing conflicting responsibilities. I believe in a holistic, healing approach, incorporating the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of each individual’s experience. Respecting the wisdom, life experiences, and strengths that come with age, I aim to foster an environment of positivity and growth. Realizing that anxiety may be fueled by one’s inability to live in the present, my client-centered focus is a holistic/talk therapy, multicultural, eclectic approach, that I utilize while integrating interventions, based on the here and now, and mindfulness. Creating a safe, nurturing environment that allows my clients to feel supported, and empowered, provides me with a venue to introduce interventions, tools, and ideas that are strength based, client-centered, and derived from living in the moment. Some evidenced based treatments that I have found through the years that have been insightful, and provided calmness to my clients are, guided imagery, breathing techniques, sensory tools, tapping and meditation. Providing an empathetic, ear, in a non-judgmental space, with an eagerness and willing to help, is the basis for my ideals for providing the first step towards healing.