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A Better Way

Center for Wellness

Doreen Van Leeuwen LMFT Relationship Specialist

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Professional Qualifications

Certifications and Training

Basic Training in Developmental Needs Meeting Strategies, March 2005

Basic Training in Critical Incident Stress Management, March 2002

Level II training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, April 2002

Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor, February 2001

Certified as a Basic Imago Relationship Therapist, September 1999

Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC 21951 in CA, January 1986

Clinical Experience

Private Practice and Business Owner

As owner of A Better Way Center for Wellness (formerly, A Better Way Counseling) from 1999 to the present, I  provide marital, family, and individual counseling to referrals from many sources.  I specialize in marriage and partner treatment.  I also have extensive experience with stepfamily issues, anger management, domestic violence, brief treatment, grief and trauma, depression/bi-polar disorder, anxiety, separation / divorce, and spiritual crises.

Anger Control/Domestic Violence Class Facilitator

From 1999 to 2004 I served as Anger Management Class Facilitator for the Inland Southern California Psychotherapy Association and Psychological Health Specialists.  I managed all aspects of conducting court ordered domestic violence and anger management classes, from intake to discharge. 

Clinical Supervisor of Non-Profit Substance Abuse Program

From 1994 to 1998 I co-directed a private, non-profit chemical dependency treatment center.  Responsibilities included assessing, diagnosing, and treating chemically dependent persons and their family members; supervising treatment staff; and leading educational and therapy groups for chemical dependency, anger management, battered women, codependency and relapse prevention.

Individual and Child Therapist

From 1993 to 1994 the Family Counseling Center of Big Bear Lake hired me to conduct individual and child counseling at their mental health agency.

Program Director

In March 1989, Bethesda PsycHealth System of Denver, CO engaged my services to plan and execute the development of an outpatient counseling network in several Southern California churches. I developed seminars on premarital counseling, parenting, and marriage enrichment, and provided individual and family counseling.

Education

Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA: 1979-1981; Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Ministries and Counseling

Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI: 1977-1979; Theological classes in preparation of Master's Program

Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI: 1973-1975; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Santa Monica City College, Santa Monica, CA: 1971-1973

Professional Affiliations

I am a network provider on the following insurance panels:

Anthem EAP

Blue Cross of California

Blue Shield Network

Carebridge Corporation EAP

College Health IPA

Community Action EAP

ComPsych CISD

Crisis Care Network

Employee Support Systems Company

eni EAP

Exclusive Care for Riverside County Employees (Pending)

First Choice Health

Harris Rothenberg International

Horizon Health EAP

Integrated Health Plan

Life Era EAP

Lutheran Social Services

New Life Christian Counseling Network

TRICARE

United Behavioral Health

United Healthcare

Value Options Healthcare and EAP

Professional Organizations

I am a member in good standing of the following associations:

American Association of Christian Counselors (www.aacc.org)

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (www.camft.org)

Christian Care Network (www.crisiscare.com)

Imago Relationship Institute (www.iri.org)

Southern California Imago Therapists: President 2001-2004 (www.socalimago.com)

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