About Me
Arlette Kassel
I have been involved in the mental health field since 2007 and a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California since 2012. As an MFT, I am able to provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, children and families with all mental health diagnoses. Additionally, having lost a father, a young child and recently a best friend to cancer, I am able to sensitively support individuals and families struggling with severe and chronic illnesses as well as grief and loss. As both a clinician and a survivor I help patients grieve,
make sense of their losses, and (in time) create something beautiful and meaningful with their lives.
Over the years, I have worked in different settings with many different types of patients and clients including: addiction treatment settings, the California State Psychiatric Hospital system with patients with severe mental disorders; and Alzheimer care facilities with elders and their families. Most recently, I worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker with Kaiser Permanente as well as independently at my own private practice.
Currently, I live in Santa Clarita, California with my husband who is also a longtime Marriage & Family Therapist and Board Certified Biofeedback & Neurofeedback practitioner. We enjoy discussing psychology and learning about how amazing the brain is, as well as making art and music, hiking, reading, gardening and cooking. I’m real, honest and direct and believe that a little fun, humor and creativity are necessary for a great therapeutic relationship.
Experience
Your treatment will be more effective when it is provided by a therapist with advanced & specialized training.
Clinical Experience
2019 - present
The Art & Science of Therapy
Santa Clarita, CA
Licensed MFT & Registered Art Therapist
2019 - 2020
Kaiser Permanente - Santa Clarita, CA
Psychiatric Social Worker
2018 - 2019
Coalinga State Hospital - Coalinga, CA
Rehabilitation Therapist/Art Therapist
2015 - 2018
Metropolitan State Hospital - Norwalk, CA
Rehabilitation Therapist/Art Therapist
2013 - 2015
Coalinga State Hospital - Coalinga, CA
Rehabilitation Therapist/Art Therapist
2012 - 2013
Private Practice - Los Angeles, CA
Licensed MFT & Registered Art Therapist
Licenses/Certifications
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) | 2019
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
California MFT-52479 | 2012
Registered Art Therapist (ATCB)
ATR 12-072 | 2012
Education
Phillips Graduate Institute of Psychology
Marriage & Family Therapy / Art Therapy
M.A. / Psychology
UCLA Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Planning
M. Arch I / Architectural Design
UCLA / College of Letters & Sciences
B.A. / History
My Approach
I specialize in helping motivated adults and teens who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and loss who are ready to move beyond their symptoms in order to create more connected and beautiful lives.
My approach places a special focus on how these symptoms are impacting their relationships and getting in the way of success at home, work, school, and beyond. Using my experience working with individuals in a variety of settings, I integrate a solid base of family systems theory with the latest advances in neuroscience adding in a sprinkling of art and other integrative therapies. You benefit from both scientific, evidence-based treatments mixed with some creative exploration (and fun).
I also work with couples, families and individuals on many other issues but find that anxiety, depression, grief and loss often play an important role in most issues. Lastly, I maintain a diversity-welcoming, inclusive practice and serve anyone joyfully who comes with an inquisitive, open mind.
Areas of Expertise
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Anxiety, Panic, OCD
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Attachment Issues
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Chronic Pain and Illness
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Codependency
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Coping Skills
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Depression
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Grief and Loss
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Life Transitions
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Marital and Premarital Counseling
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Mindfulness and Meditation
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Parenting
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Peer and Workplace Relationships
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Problem-Solving
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Relationship Issues including Infidelity
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Self-Esteem
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Stress
What do I need to do now?
Get in touch and we’ll see if we’re a good fit. Together, we'll create a plan with concrete strategies to help you feel better and create a more beautiful life (and it won’t take years!)