Cynthia Horacek, M.S., M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy License # MFC 35890

Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress (BCETS); Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

Adjunct Professor, California Lutheran University, Graduate Psychology/MFT program

I have been practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist for over 10 years in the Conejo Valley.  Prior to becoming a therapist, and while raising my family, I taught middle school math and science.  I find working with adolescents to be very rewarding, first as a teacher, and now as a therapist in the therapeutic environment.  I love the work I do with couples, individual adults, children age 7 and above, and of course, adolescents.  People open up to their deepest and most personal selves when they talk to me. They tell me things they don't tell anyone else, and this is a true measure of the trust that is established between therapist and client.  It is truly an honor and a privilege to be able to do this work.  Please see the Therapeutic Approach Page for more about my philosophy and approach to therapy.

A little about my background:

Education:

Master’s of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy, California Lutheran University, 1995
Teaching Credential, Clear, Single Subject, Science and Math, California State University, Northridge, 1986
Bachelor’s of Science, Environmental Studies, emphasis: Biology; minor: Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1976

Specialized Training: The following techniques are very useful for helping clients gain relief from symptoms related to trauma, weather it is multiple trauma such as on-going childhood abuse, single incident trauma that occured one time, or from necessary traumatic events, such as medical procedures.  They are also useful for helping people gain control over phobias, anxiety and depression:

EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

Brainspotting

DNMS (Developmental Needs Meeting Strategies)

Hypnosis:

I have over 400 hours and over 4 years of advanced training in hypnosis, and I continue to take courses that are of interest to me and will help my clients.  I have specialized hypnosis training in the following areas:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (also used in managing other inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s Disease)
• Chronic pain management
• Chronic sleep disorders, such as insomnia
• Habit control, such as smoking, weight control, etc.
• Age regression (as a tool in psychotherapy)
• Relieving the effects of trauma (as a tool in psychotherapy)
• Dental pain and phobias
• Preparation for surgery
• Recovery from Surgery
• Childbirth: labor and delivery
• Anxiety and Phobias
• Depression
• Stress
• Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms
• Dissociative Disorders
• Depression

Professional Associations and Memberships:
I am proud to belong to the following organizations, and to have participated on the executive boards of several of them:

• International Association for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
• American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Diplomate
• Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
• California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• American Association of Clinical Hypnosis
• Southern California Association of Clinical Hypnosis
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Assoc.
• American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Conejo Valley Mental Health Professional’s Association
  

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.  I am pleased to be able to offer a free telephone consultation.