“I am not what has happened to me. I am what I choose to become." Carl Jung
Interviewed by
Welcome to my website.
Try to take a few moments out right now to evaluate your life. Are you struggling with issues related to depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, self-esteem, relationship difficulties or major life changes? Have you tried to work on resolving these issues on your own with little or no success? If so, it may be time for you to get some help from a licensed professional to learn how to best overcome and grow from your challenges and move from emotional and mental distress toward peace and joy. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Palm Springs, California, I’d love to help you on your journey toward self-discovery, growth and freedom. I offer effective therapeutic approaches including Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy as needed. Take a look at my website. If what you read resonates with you, feel free to contact me with any questions or to book a session.
About Me
Simone Ravicz, Ph.D.
Dr. Simone was fortunate to have found her passion for the field of
psychology and for the possibilities of helping others when she was quite young. It certainly helped sustain her persistence and motivation to obtain the extensive
required education, training and experience. Her secret to making it
through: her fascination with learning, compassion and sincere desire to help others.
Expert Care You Can Count On!
Education:
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, United States International University 10/96
M.A., Psychology, United States International University 11/94
M.B.A., Marketing, UCLA Graduate School of Management 6/90
B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Psychology, Brown University 5/84
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Provider 2023
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional 2021
Certified in Brainspotting 2021
She is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist (English-Spanish) practicing in Palm Springs and surrounding cities in Southern California. She earned her Ph.D. at the culturally diverse United States International University. This almost felt like home to Dr. Simone as it resonated with her background. She was raised by two cultural anthropologists which meant she was able to travel extensively throughout the world and developed an early understanding of the importance of being compassionate and non-judgmental towards people from other cultures and sub-cultures.
Dr. Simone completed her Fellowship at Thalians Mental Health Center, part of the renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, working with a talented multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health professionals assisting individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions.
Her experience is extensive as over the years she has worked with patients of all ages in a wide range of settings, including medical clinics and hospitals, private practice, prison and drug and alcohol treatment and recovery centers. She started her own private practice in Pacific Palisades, CA in 1997. She has lived in the Desert for 20 years where she re-opened her former private practice in Palm Springs, CA.
She is also a motivational and educational speaker presenting on issues including using neuroscience-based tools for personal change, performance enhancement, stress optimization, women and change, mindfulness and addiction and others. Dr. Simone was the host of a successful radio interview show on the I AM Network. She has been interviewed by media, such as NBC, CBS, NPR and WebMD and magazines, such as Self, Woman's World and Prevention.
She has written three books and contributed to others. Her most recent book became an International Bestseller. It is "Brain Boosters: Seven Ways to Help Your Brain Help Yourself" which presents seven practices involving brain changes (i.e., mindfulness, tapping, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.) which can reduce emotional and physical pain, improve mood, boost focus and concentration and enhance well-being.
Her other two books include "High on Stress" and "Thriving with Your Autoimmune Disorder" published by New Harbinger Publications.
How It Works
With You Every Step of the Way
Your desire to make changes within yourself is admirable.​ As a practiced Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years in the mental health field, including having had two successful private practices (Pacific Palisades and Palm Springs, CA) and working in hospitals, medical clinics and treatment and recovery programs, I feel fortunate to be able to help people move away from their struggles to transform themselves and optimize their lives.
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Twenty-eight years ago, I was given several diagnoses to explain my overwhelming pain, brain fog, extreme fatigue and other symptoms. The shock, the denial, the anger, the loss, the sadness, and, of course, the pain...I knew them all too well. My response was to start researching everything, interviewing Western and alternative doctors, speaking to cutting-edge researchers and conversing with philosophers of Buddhism which lead to my writing my books. I incorporated what I had learned into my life practices to sustain a positive, healthy life with far less physical pain and distress. I share this so you may not feel so alone. My experiences mirror my great optimism about individuals on a path to healing.
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I have been fascinated by the brain for years and am thrilled with all of the information being gained through neuroscience research. One of my books is an international bestseller entitled, "Brain Boosters: Seven Ways to Help Your Brain Help Itself". It describes methods and the notion of neuroplasticity to literally change the function and structure of our brains which can lead to major improvements in our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Because of the success I've had using neuroscience-based tools with clients and because there is supportive relevant research, I often use a neuroscientific perspective in my work. My clients learn about the brain and are pleased with how they can better understand and make effective changes in themselves and in their lives.
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People dealing with emotional pain and distress share some similar experiences in their suffering. However, each person and his or her experiences are unique. This means I tailor psychotherapy for each person I see. Having good, strong knowledge of and experience working with a range of approaches and tools helps me accomplish this goal. Here are some brief descriptions of some of the techniques I use:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Based on the notion that one's thoughts determine one's emotions and behavior. Teaching a client to monitor and eliminate their "stinking thinking" (irrational, exaggerated) and to replace it with more rational thinking can lead to improved mood, decreased anxiety, less stress, better decision-making and healthier behaviors.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): a powerful, evidence-based approach to therapy that has been proven effective for relieving symptoms of trauma as well as other mental health issues. Through bilateral stimulation (visual, tactile or auditory stimuli), EMDR rapidly integrates and reprocesses information through activating neural networks in both the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Painful stuck memories are unlocked allowing the brain's information processing system to naturally heal emotional wounds and return to equilibrium. Previously painful memories will no longer be charged and disruptive.
Brainspotting: A powerful, brain-based offshoot of EMDR which also proves highly effective for processing trauma. Because unprocessed trauma and body memories are stored subcortically, talk therapy cannot access these regions of the brain. Brainspotting processes and releases the core neurophysiological sources of trauma allowing a reset alleviating painful symptoms and reactivity and leading to deep, lasting positive change.
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Mindfulness: Jon Kabat-Zinn, one of the leaders in the world of mindfulness, defines it this way: "Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally." (From Wherever You Go, There You Are –Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, page 4, Hyperion, 2005). Being aware and accepting, in the here and now, of what is going on with you in terms of thoughts, images or pictures, emotions and physical sensations is incredibly liberating and empowering. Mindfulness practice increases brain gray matter, improves focus and calm, boosts mood, eases access to unconscious memories and beliefs, leads to better emotion regulation and distress tolerance, assists with cravings for drugs and alcohol and yields many other positive results.
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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Click To Learn More
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I also use techniques and methods from psychodynamic psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping), Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Somatic Awareness.
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Based on the mounting knowledge about the interactions among brain, mind, body and spirit, I use an integrative approach. This means that each dimension is involved in making deep, lasting changes in beliefs, emotions, perceptions and behaviors.
Resource Articles
Sharing information and resources with my clients is an important part of the therapy process. I am excited to share some of this information here with you virtually. Feel free to take a look at some of my most popular articles to learn more about mental health issues and treatments.
Private Therapy Services: Get Ready for Your Best "You"
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There are many considerations when you think about starting therapy. Issues such as the time, cost, anxiety about therapy and opening up a Pandora's box, security of personal information, effectiveness of treatment and others can be explored.
Some mental health issues include*: Anxiety
Depression
Trauma/PTSD
Addictions
Phobias, Fears
Relationship Issues
Burnout
Chronic Pain/Illness
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*This is a partial list. If you're dealing with other issues, please feel free to contact me to see whether we're a good fit.
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There are certain elements which should be included in therapy as just "good therapy". However, as I mentioned, I also tailor therapy for each client and his or her particular situation and needs. Working one-on-one with somebody truly allows me to get to know the client, their past, their pain, strengths to nurture, wins and losses in life, skills to develop and goals for therapy.
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As you can see in the "How It Works" section, I'm trained and experienced in the approaches listed. I also pull in other tools and techniques that help my clients achieve what they want from therapy and from life. We may use problem-solving regarding current issues and work to resolve current problems. Traumas and painful memories will be processed to greatly reduce or eliminate the negative charge so you will no longer have the emotional pain and can move forward freely. We will work to greatly eliminate negative thinking and focus on methods to develop new, more positive neural pathways which affect thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We will strive to develop new habits and behaviors which can greatly improve mental and physical well-being and enhance joy and fulfillment. In some situations, clients may benefit from Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy which I can also offer. I'm certain you'll find our journey together rewarding and inspirational.
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with the organization Journey Clinical. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.
Couples Therapy
Help For Two
Couples come to therapy for a number of reasons. Arguments are symptoms of communication difficulties and relationship distress. The topics for arguments are many: free time (and where to go and what to do), money, intimacy, sharing chores, intimacy, extended family obligations and issues, children, career, sleeping habits, past relationships, and the classic - leaving the toilet seat up. There are also a host of other negative symptoms besides arguing that some of you can probably recall from personal experiences. In some cases, couples are dealing with large-scale issues, such as infidelity, divorce or chronic illness/pain.
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Couples counseling can be tricky as we aren't just dealing with the obvious areas of disagreement. We're also working with patterns of thinking and behaving coming from each person's childhood. If a partner tends to feel sensitive to rejection due to frequently experiencing this as a child, he or she may well interpret something the partner did as rejecting when it was not. Attachment experiences with parents and others can be explored because they can strongly influence one's ability to function well and maintain friendships and relationships down the line.
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We'll explore communication as it is a major contributor to and perpetuator of partner disagreements, hurt and anger. You can learn what is really going on during your arguments, how to self-soothe and how to turn these situations around.
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Individual characteristics, both experientially and biologically-based, are examined to see how these partner qualities interact, how they contribute to the health, both good and bad, of a relationship, and what shifts in thought and deeds could lead to the development of a
great relationship.
Simone Ravicz, Ph.D.
Expert Care You Can Count On!
Contact Simone Ravicz, Ph.D.
I love helping my patients develop the tools they need to more easily anticipate obstacles, skillfully modify unhealthy and unhelpful thinking and bad habits, cope with and gain from life's challenges and "failures", integrate mindfulness into life and relationships and relish life's pleasures. Please contact me if you would like more information or if you have any questions.
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550 South Oleander Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.904.7957