Services
Individual Psychotherapy
Dr. Accortt is a cognitive behavioral therapist working with women of all ages and has specialized training in perinatal mental health and evidence-based therapies such as cognitive processing therapy for trauma and interoceptive exposure for panic disorder. When appropriate, she integrates motivational interviewing, solution-focused, and interpersonal approaches into her practice to help individuals and groups navigate the following emotional experiences:
Dr. Accortt is a cognitive behavioral therapist working with women of all ages and has specialized training in perinatal mental health and evidence-based therapies such as cognitive processing therapy for trauma and interoceptive exposure for panic disorder. When appropriate, she integrates motivational interviewing, solution-focused, and interpersonal approaches into her practice to help individuals and groups navigate the following emotional experiences:
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Infertility
- Prenatal depression and anxiety
- Postpartum depression and anxiety
- Traumatic birth experience
- Life transitions - including perimenopause
- Challenging relationships
- New onset and chronic illness
Group Psychotherapy
Red Tent Therapy Group - This therapy group is named after the novel by Anita Diamant, which describes the traditions and turmoil of our Matriarchs – the world of the red tent. In the red tent, support and wisdom sustains women through difficult times. This community is harder to experience in modern life. Demands and juggling multiple responsibilities too often leave women socially isolated and worn out, placing them at risk for physical and emotional illnesses. This is a closed psychotherapy series (not an ongoing drop in group, i.e. you commit to all 4 sessions) which encourages interactive discussion and assigns cognitive behavioral "homework." It is appropriate for mothers of all ages and the Fall Session took place from 11:30 am - 1 pm on 4 consecutive Fridays in Oct/Nov 2019, starting Friday October 25th. The fee for all 4 sessions, including materials, is $250. Light refreshments will be provided. The Fall flyer can be found HERE. To inquire about future groups (in 2020) please email draccortt@gmail.com.
Becoming A Mother: An Evidence Based Therapy Group - Join us for this ongoing 4-session (closed) therapy group appropriate for pregnant or postpartum women (up to 1 year post-delivery) which encourages interactive discussion and assigns cognitive behavioral "homework." The group takes place from 1:30 - 2:45 PM every Friday for 4 weeks in a row. Advanced registration is encouraged because space is limited but drop ins are welcome at Birch Family Services at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks. To register please contact Birch directly via email: info@birchfamilybirthservices.com. The flyer can be found HERE.
Red Tent Therapy Group - This therapy group is named after the novel by Anita Diamant, which describes the traditions and turmoil of our Matriarchs – the world of the red tent. In the red tent, support and wisdom sustains women through difficult times. This community is harder to experience in modern life. Demands and juggling multiple responsibilities too often leave women socially isolated and worn out, placing them at risk for physical and emotional illnesses. This is a closed psychotherapy series (not an ongoing drop in group, i.e. you commit to all 4 sessions) which encourages interactive discussion and assigns cognitive behavioral "homework." It is appropriate for mothers of all ages and the Fall Session took place from 11:30 am - 1 pm on 4 consecutive Fridays in Oct/Nov 2019, starting Friday October 25th. The fee for all 4 sessions, including materials, is $250. Light refreshments will be provided. The Fall flyer can be found HERE. To inquire about future groups (in 2020) please email draccortt@gmail.com.
Becoming A Mother: An Evidence Based Therapy Group - Join us for this ongoing 4-session (closed) therapy group appropriate for pregnant or postpartum women (up to 1 year post-delivery) which encourages interactive discussion and assigns cognitive behavioral "homework." The group takes place from 1:30 - 2:45 PM every Friday for 4 weeks in a row. Advanced registration is encouraged because space is limited but drop ins are welcome at Birch Family Services at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks. To register please contact Birch directly via email: info@birchfamilybirthservices.com. The flyer can be found HERE.
Teletherapy - online secure and HIPAA compliant
Traveling to an office for therapy is often not convenient and for some pregnant or new moms it is not possible. But modern technology can connect clinicians with clients no matter where they live. Dr. Accortt understands that one of the biggest barriers to getting therapy in Los Angeles, in particular, is travel because of how spread out all of the towns and suburbs are. Therefore she offers the option of teletherapy, also know as online therapy. She highly recommends at least one or 2 sessions in person to begin (home or in the office), but afterwards a series of online sessions are an option. Please call or email for more information.
Traveling to an office for therapy is often not convenient and for some pregnant or new moms it is not possible. But modern technology can connect clinicians with clients no matter where they live. Dr. Accortt understands that one of the biggest barriers to getting therapy in Los Angeles, in particular, is travel because of how spread out all of the towns and suburbs are. Therefore she offers the option of teletherapy, also know as online therapy. She highly recommends at least one or 2 sessions in person to begin (home or in the office), but afterwards a series of online sessions are an option. Please call or email for more information.
Prevention Through Education
Dr. Accortt believes that some of the most distressing feelings associated with major reproductive life changes can be reduced, and in some cases avoided, when individuals and their providers are educated properly and know what to expect. Therefore she has created a series of Wellness Workshops that focus on how to feel well and maintain wellness at each stage of life. She often facilitates Pregnancy Wellness Workshops and Maternal Wellness Workshops for mothers with newborns, children 1-5 years old, and school aged children.
Pregnancy Wellness Workshop: Thinking of getting pregnant? Pregnant? Therapist, Doctor, Nurse or Doula working with pregnant women? This workshop is for you! Learn about symptoms and risk factors of perinatal depression and anxiety, learn stress management techniques that are most appropriate for this time of life, and how to talk to your OBGYN doctor, care-giver, and spouse (spouses welcome!) about these issues. You do not need to be depressed or anxious to attend, but if you have a personal or family history you may want to attend!
If you are interested in dates for upcoming Wellness Workshops, please email Dr. Accortt (draccortt@gmail.com) and she will post new dates approximately one month in advance on this page.
Wondering whether you might need professional help?
One way to know if you are at risk for depression or anxiety is to complete a screening tool. Fill out this questionnaire about your symptoms in the past week:
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Survey*
If your total is 10 or above you may want to consider professional help. If you answered 1, 2 or 3 to item #10, please contact a health care provider immediately.
* Only you can view your answers and total. Your score will not be viewed or saved by the website or by Dr. Accortt
Dr. Accortt believes that some of the most distressing feelings associated with major reproductive life changes can be reduced, and in some cases avoided, when individuals and their providers are educated properly and know what to expect. Therefore she has created a series of Wellness Workshops that focus on how to feel well and maintain wellness at each stage of life. She often facilitates Pregnancy Wellness Workshops and Maternal Wellness Workshops for mothers with newborns, children 1-5 years old, and school aged children.
Pregnancy Wellness Workshop: Thinking of getting pregnant? Pregnant? Therapist, Doctor, Nurse or Doula working with pregnant women? This workshop is for you! Learn about symptoms and risk factors of perinatal depression and anxiety, learn stress management techniques that are most appropriate for this time of life, and how to talk to your OBGYN doctor, care-giver, and spouse (spouses welcome!) about these issues. You do not need to be depressed or anxious to attend, but if you have a personal or family history you may want to attend!
If you are interested in dates for upcoming Wellness Workshops, please email Dr. Accortt (draccortt@gmail.com) and she will post new dates approximately one month in advance on this page.
Wondering whether you might need professional help?
One way to know if you are at risk for depression or anxiety is to complete a screening tool. Fill out this questionnaire about your symptoms in the past week:
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Survey*
If your total is 10 or above you may want to consider professional help. If you answered 1, 2 or 3 to item #10, please contact a health care provider immediately.
* Only you can view your answers and total. Your score will not be viewed or saved by the website or by Dr. Accortt
