PRIVATE PRACTICE OFFICE LOCATIONS                                                
If you live in Southern California in the greater Long Beach /Orange County areas and wish to consult me, or if you have questions about my private professional services, please call at one of the following office phone numbers.  Click here for directions to office locations.                                              

Los Angeles County                                      Orange County
_{5199 Pacific Coast Highway Suite 304-N                11770 Warner Ave.  Suite 127
Long Beach, CA 90804                                                 Fountain Valley CA 92708
(562) 498-0777                                                                (714) 966-6634}

My professional approach:
After  more than twenty  years of private practice in  this  community I have seen every imaginable type of problem  in adults, children and families. However there are always issues and characteristics that are different and unique. Therefore my first job is always to listen carefully to everything that my patient tells me and to avoid jumping to conclusions based upon initial impressions. My method of intervention varies tremendously with different people because it must be tailored to fit the specific problems, of each person, couple or family I see. I view the process of psychotherapy or counseling as a cooperative effort between the psychologist and patient. My contribution depends upon the knowledge that I have gained from my training and extensive experience as a psychologist. Your contribution is based upon the vast fund of information you have accumulated about yourself over your lifetime. 

No matter how knowledgeable I am as a psychologist, no matter how many patients I have seen who have similar problems, no two patients or families are exactly the same.  What I  know about you depends upon what you are willing to reveal to me. Although I am an expert in the field of psychology, I have no skills as a mind reader. I only know what my patient tells me and shows me. The more my patient is able to reveal to me about their concerns, feelings and experience, the more material I have to allow me to understand them and to offer some effective help.

The starting point: In the initial visit I ask questions about the nature of the problem that brings my patient in, whether it involves symptoms of emotional distress or relationship or family problems. In addition I will be asking some general questions about your life situation, your family structure and your past. It is not possible to understand a person just by focusing on the presenting problem. It is also necessary to have some general knowledge to establish a framework within which to understand a person's life and issues.

Types of services: Individual psychotherapy, couples counseling and treatment of children and families. Methods of treatment include psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, parent counseling, and hypnosis. In addition I draw upon a wide variety of other psychotherapeutic methods based upon my experience and the needs of my patients.

Brief hypnotic procedures: (1) To help people make specific behavioral changes such as to stop smoking, or to control their weight. (2) For self-improvement such as the enhancement of sports performance, improved motivation and effectiveness in work or school situations.

Privacy: For information about my privacy and confidentiality policy regarding visits to my office, including conformity to HIPAA privacy rules, see my Privacy Policy Page.

You may see comments by some of Dr. Beitner's patients  at his Internet telephone listings by clicking on the following links:
YellowPages     Superpages  
You may have to page down to read the comments at these sites.

Payment: We accept payment by check, cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discovery Card. Medicare and some insurance plans cover for psychological services. You may check with your insurance carrier, or provide to my secretary information about your insurance plan to determine your coverage.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND                                                    
University of California at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Psychology B.A., M.A., Ph.D. 

PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAMS 
University of California, Los Angeles,  Clinical School
Veterans Administration Hospitals and Clinics:               
Brentwood Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Los Angeles, California
Sepulveda Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Sepulveda, California 
Long Beach General Hospital, Long Beach, California
San Fernando General Hospital, San Fernando, California
Mental Hygiene Clinic, Los Angeles, California
(1953-1954, 1956-1958)                                   

OTHER PRE-DOCTORAL EXPERIENCE
US Army, 5^th Gen. Hospital, NP Service, Bad Cannstadt, Germany 

PREVIOUS POSITIONS AS CONSULTANT IN PSYCHOLOGY
The Psychiatric Clinic for Children, 
Long Beach Community Hospital, Long Beach, CA
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, CA       
Child Development Clinic, Long Beach, CA
The Psychological Center, Los Angeles, CA
Head Start Program, Long Beach, CA
Advisory Board to the Board of Directors, The Psychiatric Clinic for Children, Long Beach Community Hospital, Long Beach, CA 
Anaheim Free Clinic, Anaheim, CA
Regional Center, Bureau of Mental Retardation Services State of 
California, Department of Public Health
University of California Orange County Medical Center, Outpatient Psychiatry, Orange, CA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE                                        
Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology,
Clinical Teaching Faculty,
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
University of California at Irvine Sep 65–Oct 94

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AT LONG BEACH
Instructor, Department of Psychology, 1966–1967

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 
Los Angeles Psychiatric Service Oct 58–March 59                           
Hacker Psychiatric Clinic, Beverly Hills, CA Apr 59-Dec61
Private Practice of Clinical Psychology Apr 61-present 
Long Beach, CA, Orange County, CA

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS 
American Psychological Association
California Psychological Association
Orange County Psychological Association

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS                                            
Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, (1989-2003) 
Long Beach Community Medical Center, (1982-1999)
Memorial Medical Center of Long Beach, (1990-1998)

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
California Psychology License: PSY1036
California Marriage Therapist License: MFT 676                           
National Register of Health Care Psychology Providers: #12887

CONTINUING EDUCATION 1995 – 2008 (Course, Date, Hours)

California State/American Psychological Association Approved Continuing Education 
Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Pain in Private Practice Setting,
  Janet E. Kraemer, Ph.D. and David H. Silverman, Ph.D., 
  California Psychological Association Annual Convention  4-5-2008, 1.5 hours

Assessing and Managing Risk in Psychological Practice, American Psychological 
  Association Insurance Trust, www.apait.org 3-15-2008, 8 hours.

Pathological Gambling: Assessment in Clinical Practice, Association for Advanced
  Training in the Behavioral Sciences APA Approved Provider BBS Approved
   Provider #PCE 1593 3-16-2008, 2 hours

Obesity: Assessment, Prevention and Treatment  Association for Advanced
  Training in the Behavioral Sciences APA Approved Provider BBS Approved
  Provider #PCE 1593  3-16-2008 6 hours

Intimacy after Infidelity,  Steven D. Solomon, Ph.D. & Lorie Teagano, Ph.D., 
  The Relationship Institute, California Psychological Association Annual 
  Convention  4-5-2008, 3.0 hours

Stalking, Threatening & Attacking Public Figures: The Pathway to Violence, 
  J. Reid Meloy,  Ph.D.,   California Psychological Association Annual Convention,  4-4-2008, 2.0 hours  

When Difficult Relatives Happen to Good People, Leonard C. Felder, Ph.D., 
  California Psychological Association Annual Convention,  4-4-2008, 1.5 hours

Can Lust Last?,  Barta Davis, Ph.D.,  California Psychological Association Annual
   Convention  4-4-2008, 1.5 hours

Emotionally Focused Therapy with Trauma Scott R. Woolley, Ph.D. Professor and
  Director California Psychological Association Annual Convention, 4-14--2007, 
  3.0 hours  www.eft.ca

How Clients Change Their Therapists, Jeffrey Kottler, Ph.D., 
  Professor of Psychology California State University, Fullerton   
  California Psychological Association Annual Convention, 4-14--2007, 1.0 hours

The Neuroscience of Human Relatgionships: Attachment and the Developing
   Social Brain, Louis Cozolino  Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA, 
   California Psychological Association   Annual Convention, 4-14--2007, 2.0 hours

Couples Psychotherapy: Best Practices, Lois M. Abrams, Ph.D.
   Psycho-Legal Associates, (MCEP Provider #503687) 4-22-06 6.0 hours.

Law and Ethics Update, Lawrence Hedges,  Ph.D.
   Psycho-Legal Associates, (MCEP Provider #503687) 4-21-06 6.0 hours.

The Art of Family Therapy in Family Court, Marjorie Mitchell  Ph.D.
   Psycho-Legal Associates, (MCEP Provider #503687) 4-23-06 6.0 hours.

Psychopharmacology, Matthew Nessetti, M.D., Ph.D. ABMP (CEU4U,    Nebraska  Mental Health Center Approved for Continuing Education by American  Psychological Association) 4-17-06, 5.0 hours.

Human Diversity: Current Multicultural Issues in Research and Therapy, 
  Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences (AATBS)
  Approved for Continuing  Education by American Psychological Association)
  4-24-06 3.0 hours

Treatment Techniques in Child Psychotherapy (At Health, Inc. and
  PsychoEducational Resources approved for Continuing Education by American
  Psychological Association) 5-1-05 3.0 hours.

Aging and Long Term Care: Older Adults and Mental Health 
  (At Health, Inc. and PsychoEducational Resources approved for 
  Continuing Education by American Psychological Association) 5-1-05 3.0  hours  

Law and Ethics Update Psycho-Legal Associates, (MCEP Provider #503687) 
   A. Steven Frankel, Ph.D., J.D. 4-2-04 6.0 hours

Child Custody Training for Rule 5.225 Part II Psycho-Legal Associates 
   (MCEP  Provider #503687) November 7, 8, 9, 2003 20.0 hours

Law and Ethics Update for Clinicians Working With Children and Families, 
   Psycho-Legal Associates, (MCEP Provider #503687) 3-8-02 6.0

Child Custody Training for Rule 1257.4 Part I Psycho-Legal Associates (MCEP
   Provider #503687) August 7, 8, 9, 2002, 20.0 hours

Fundamentals of (Psychological) Coaching, 4-29-00
   Center for Professional Education (MCEP Provider #CEN036)

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, Psycho-Legal Associates 
  (MCEP Provider #503687) 3-4-00, 3.0 hours

HIV Update for Mental Health Professionals, Rebuilding Therapy Center, 
   Anaheim, California (MCEP REB002)8-21-99,  7.0 hours

Law and Ethics in Psychology: Beyond the Basics, Psycho-Legal Associates
   (MCEP Provider #503687) 5-23-99, 6.0 hours

Introduction To Psychological Practice In Workers’ Compensation,  University of 
   Minnesota, James N. Butcher, Ph.D. 2-22-97, 7.0 hours

Forensic Use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
  (MMPI & MMPI-2), 3-16-99, 7.0 hours

Los Angeles County Psychological Association Approved Continuing Education                                            

Alienation in High Conflict Divorce: Validation Issues, Ethical and Clinical, 6-23-01 6.0
Using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator in Psychological Assessments 10-13-01 5.0
Cognitive Therapy For Depression And Anxiety, 10-14-95, 1.5
Serving Your Clients Legally & Ethically, 10-28-95, 7.0
Addictions: Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment, 2-24-96, 7.5       
Computer Assisted Psychotherapy, 10-14-95, 1.5
Psychology & The Media, 10-14-95, 1.5
Smoking Cessation, 10-14-95, 1.50

Orange County Psychological Association Approved Continuing Education 
Law and Ethics Update, A. Steven Frankel, J.D.,  Ph.D. 9-8-07, 4.0
The Psychological Expert In The Courtroom, 9-6-96, 2.0
Winning Strategies In Proving & Challenging Emotional Injury
In Civil Litigation, 12-2-96, 2.5
Malpractice Issues For Mental Health, 9-26-97, 4.0
The Nine Personality Types, 9-26-97, 7.0
Legal & Ethical Issues In The Practice Of Psychology, 12-13-97, 6.0
MMPI-2 Goes To Court, 1-30-98, 4.0
EMDR: Clinical And Scientific Update, 2-21-98, 4.0 
Custody and Visitation, 12-9-00, 3.0

Far Western Medical Association (14.15 hours Category I credit approved by ACCME) Medicine For the New Millennium (January 22 - 29, 2000) 
Far Western Medical Association Current Trends in the Practice of Medicine 2002 (17 hours Category I credit approved by ACCME) January 26 - February 2, 2002

PROFESSIONAL LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS 
Costa Mesa Senior Center, Costa Mesa, California (9-9-06)
"Taking Control of Neuropathy Pain Through Hypnosis"

Downtown Lions Club of Long Beach
"Effective Applications of Hypnotherapy" (4-12-02)

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital: "Coping with Stress and Depression in Cancer Survivors" (1-18-01)

Far Western Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting: 
"Panic Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment Y2K " (1-22-01)

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital: "Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Panic Disorders" (2-12-99)

Metropolitan Transit Authority: 
"Coping with Workplace Stress" (3-25-97)

Long Beach Memorial Medical Center: "Parenting 101- What Every Parent Needs to Know" (6-3-96)

Long Beach Memorial Medical Center: "Psychological Principles of Permanent Weight Control" (10-15-96)

Far Western Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting: 
"Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders Under Managed Care" (1-26-95)

Orange County Regional Cancer Center: "Psychology of Health and Illness" (2-10-95)

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital: "How to Deal With the Emotional Stress of Illness." (3-8-94)

Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry:
"The use of Psychological Testing in Psychiatry"

Far Western Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting:  
"The Psychological Effects of Organized Competitive Sports upon Children" (l/83)

Charter Hospital: "Child vs. Parent-Who is Controlling Whom?"(11-87)

Far Western Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting:  
"Psychological Factors Affecting Patient Compliance in the Treatment of Obesity." (1-79)

Far Western Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting:  
"Depression as a Complicating Factor in Treatment of Organic Illness" (1981)

Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
"How to Stop Smoking"  (11-19-96)

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital: General Cancer Support Group:
"Being Healthy vs. Being Ill" (1-18-01)

Leisure World Organization for Rehabilitation
"Prescription for Happiness" (10-17-84)

St. Joseph Hospital CHOC Orange County
"Dealing With Cardiac Surgery Post-Operative Depression" (10-24-79)