Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Belding.
Wendy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in San Diego and my father worked for the Navy as a Psychologist. When I was in my early 20s and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life I had a hard time landing on one particular career path. Every class I took in college was interesting. In 1995 I graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Political Science. While there, I began a Women’s Empowerment Group and served as the California State Student Association Representative for my university. Although I was very actively engaged in school, working and doing volunteer work, I was also using alcohol to cope with all the stress. Growing up my father let me know that I had a biological predisposition for alcoholism because all four of my grandparents were alcoholics. At 26 I realized I had a problem with alcohol and gave myself the gift of sobriety (now 31 years sober!). This process allowed for me to take the time to find out who I am and what brings me deep abiding joy. Through a long circuitous route I made the choice to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a psychotherapist. In 2003 I worked at the VA in San Diego with a research study testing a spiritual intervention for Post-traumatic stress disorder for Veterans with PTSD. I fell in love with working with the Veterans and their family members. I found working with trauma was my specialty and was fortunate to have great training at the VA through working on multiple research studies as a therapist. Walking with clients through processing trauma and seeing them emerge on the other side stronger, closer with their loved ones and less plagued by nightmares is such an honor. This is the most meaningful work I can imagine and I feel so grateful to be able to do this. Since 2010 I have been working in my own private practice and have expanded to work with Anxiety, Depression, death and dying, and helping people find their own meaning in life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! It has certainly not been a smooth road at all. I had a profound existential crisis when I tried law school and found it was not a good fit for me at all. Several loved ones thought I would be a good lawyer because I was angry and I could argue well. In law school I realized I did not want to live my life angry anymore as it was consuming me from the inside. That set forth a quest to address the underlying issues in my life that fueled that rage. But I didn’t know who I was without the anger. It was such an integral part of my life I had to learn about the other parts of me. This was scary and painful and very rewarding eventually. Also, I was very upset with God because I thought being an attorney was what God’s will for me was. I felt like God dropped me and I was left flailing.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my practice I offer individual therapy for anyone seeking help. My experience is broad. People tend to think that as a Marriage and Family Therapist I only work with couples or families, that is not true. I prefer working with individuals. The therapeutic relationship is such an important part of therapy and I find working with people individually allows for a deeper connection. Treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is my specialty and I am trained in two gold standard treatment modalities; Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I have seen people heal from horrendous experiences. My office is a safe place where a person can come and share the worst trauma and I will be present and listen and accompany them through this process. PTSD is a treatable diagnosis. A person can have PTSD and then go through treatment and then not have it anymore.
My experience also includes working with Anxiety, Depression and Substance Abuse. Because my office is in La Jolla I can offer the option of walking to the beach for sessions. This is a great treatment for depression and some people prefer it to sitting in an office.
My passion is helping people find joy. Many people feel stuck and don’t experience the brighter side of life. I love excavating and finding the true gems of a person’s own values and interests.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I do also offer therapy via telehealth. In the last research study I worked in we were testing the effectiveness of therapy conducted via telehealth versus in person. The outcome of the research showed that both methods of providing therapy were equally effective. Many people prefer the comfort of their own home and so we now have that option. I did not think I would be able to connect with clients well through telehealth but in fact after getting used to it initially I find it just as comfortable and it helps me understand a client’s home life a little better.
Pricing:
- $200 per 50 minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wendybelding.com
Image Credits
My sister Cami Abel took the picture of me. She is fantastic and I highly recommend her! You can find her work on Instagram galeria.cami.la
