Meet My Team of Therapists
Welcome to Healthy Relationships Counseling Services. We are deeply invested in your relationships. Whatever your hurts or frustrations, we’re here to help you. We know how challenging relationship stress can be. Wherever you are on your marital path, we understand and we want to support you.
Bonnie Ray Kennan, Psy.D, MFT
Certified Relational Life Couples Therapist
Certified Group Psychotherapist
Healthy Relationships Counseling Services
Address
24586 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 112
Torrance, CA 90505
Phone
www.DrBonniesRelationshipRehab.com
I have extensive training in: Couple Therapy, Relationship Coaching, Feedback-Informed Treatment, Deliberate Practice, Marriage Education, Discernment Counseling, Individual, and Group therapy.
Couple Therapy: At Relational Life Institute, I’ve trained extensively in Relational Life Therapy, or RLT (Relationallife.com). This therapy is deeply insightful, provocative, and empathic- and few other approaches positively transform the dynamic of a relationship as quickly.
My approach is also influenced by Dr. Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), whose fundamental message is simple: you improve your relationship by creating emotional safety and connection. EFT empowers couples with steps that empower them in becoming attuned, responsive, and deeply connected to each other.
Marriage Education: I am a Certified PAIRS therapist (founded on the work of Virginia Satir, George Bach, and Lori H. Gordon). This innovative work is an in-depth, hands-on, educational approach that empowers proactive couples to build and maintain a strong foundation. I am also trained in Scott Stanley’s PREP and in Sherrod & Phyllis Miller’s Couple Communication.
Individual Therapy: When working with individuals, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, for short. ACT is a proven therapy that combines a fresh understanding of the human condition with exciting new tools and strategies. It is an action-oriented therapy. If you struggle with painful thoughts and feelings and are ready to develop a healthier approach to them, ACT is right for you.
I studied with Pia Mellody from The Meadows Treatment Center, whose advanced training in co-dependence, love addiction/avoidance, relational trauma, and family systems has rounded out my training.
Group Therapy: I am a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) and have trained at American Group Psychotherapy Association and at Louis Ormont’s The Center for Group Studies in New York. I am a member of Los Angeles Group Psychotherapy Society and past president of Group Psychotherapy Association of Southern California. I have led various types of psychotherapy groups for fifteen years.
I have a number therapeutic methods at my disposal, but rather than take a cookie cutter approach to therapy, I customize treatments to meet the needs of my clients. Therapy is not about passively being told what to do or how to think, but about becoming empowered with the skills to solve your own problems. That is the work we do in our sessions.
I have a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from California Graduate Institute, a Master’s Degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute, and a B..A. from Brigham Young University in Theatre Arts and Speech Education.
Call me at (310) 265-6644.
Savanna Zar, Associate MFT
I know it’s not easy to ask for help. The truth is, everyone feels stuck at some point in our lives and that’s completely normal. We are relational beings and aren’t meant to navigate these challenges alone. Finding a therapist who you connect with is a brave decision that can truly change your outlook on life. Maybe you are struggling with what seems to be an unsolvable problem and are tired of feeling the way that you do. Maybe you feel lonely, unheard, or frustrated in your relationship.
I specialize in working with life transitions, relationship difficulties, setting boundaries, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and substance use. I have been working in the mental health field since 2016 and I’ve been told by clients that they appreciate my warm, yet direct approach.
Together, we will explore the underlying issues that keep you from having the quality of life you deserve. I also empower men and women to live authentically, both honoring their needs and communicating them confidently. I look forward to walking alongside you in your growth process. Contact me today for a free phone consultation!
savannazartherapy@gmail.com
JOSEPH P. BUCHMAN, J.D., M.A. AMFT, APCC
Helping people achieve their goals is my passion. I want to help you to create the life and loving relationships you long for.
The benefits of working with an older counselor are many. I’ve been a practicing attorney since 1990. I’ve experienced both a loving, healthy marriage and a difficult, unsustainable one. I understand both and this understanding informs my work. I also know what it takes to have a successful career, and how to manage the stressors it places on you.
Counseling is my second career. I became interested when I benefitted from my own therapy, which inspired me to join the field. In 2015 I graduated from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California with a degree in Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology. I am a registered associate marriage and family therapist and a registered associate professional clinical counselor supervised by Bonnie Ray Kennan, Psy.D., MFT, CGP.
Give me a call. Let’s explore together what I can offer you. I look forward to helping you reach your goals.
JoeBuchmanTherapy@gmail.com
KARI WENDT APCC
We are faced with many demands for our time and energy day-to-day. Pressure from employers, friends, partners, and ourselves make it difficult to know what the “right” thing is to do at any given moment. It is my job as a counselor to help you filter through the noise of conflicting expectations and to tune in to your own core values and desires. Whether working on yourself individually or with your partner focusing on the health of your relationship, I am here to guide you in recognizing what is working in your life and what it might be time to change.
I have been working as a clinician since early 2020, but I have a long professional history of helping people navigate highly stressful life changes. I pull from many theoretical approaches in order to meet you where you are and to help you uncover what it is from your past that has contributed to your present frustrations so that you are better equipped to move into your future feeling confident and empowered to live your best life.
Please contact me today for a free consultation.
kariwendtmhc@gmail.com
KAREN THOMPSON, LMFT
Meaningful relationships are essential for well-being. Ideally, ours are nurturing, supportive, and respectful. But if there are arguments over unresolved problems, everyone suffers. It leaves people feeling angry, hurt, and confused. And it’s exhausting!
When issues arise, many adults fall back into old to childhood patterns. They throw tantrums, use alcohol. Others run into the arms of another, then lie and deny. Disillusioned partners can criticize, blame, go silent. Sometimes they distance. Now everyone feels betrayed, suspicious, distrustful and uncertain. Attempts to fix things fail. Why? Because destructive tactics don’t work.
But I’ll teach you what does!
There is hope. With professional therapy, it’s possible to move past difficulties, make positive changes. Just imagine enjoying peace and happiness again… Let me show you how!
Hi! I’m Karen Thompson, a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. I’m also certified in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution & Peace-Building Mediation. Alcoholism/Addiction & Codependency Treatment are my other specialties. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused and multiple Evidence-Based Mental Health Methods that work! For over 20 years, I’ve practiced Crisis Management & Critical Care at PLCMMC & TMMC Hospitals. So I’ve helped 1,000s of Couples, Families, Individuals and Groups, ranging from Teenagers to Elderly.
So if you’re feeling distressed, let’s address your issues. I’d like to help you shift perspectives, and begin to heal you and your relationship. Start now by calling me for a Private FREE Consultation! Let’s talk about your situation and what we can do to make things better…
RelationshipTherapyByKaren@gmail.com
