My professional approach:
I find that many years of experience in private practice continues to improve my knowledge and my ability to understand and to help my patients. However, 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 hypnotherapy. 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.
Payment:
We accept payment by most insurance plans, including Medicare. We accept payment by Venmo, check, cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discovery Card.
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 scroll down to read the comments at these sites.
Academic Education, Clinical Psychology Training Programs, Experience and Continuing Education
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
University of California at Los Angeles, California, B.A., Psychology
University of California at Los Angeles, California, M.A., Psychology
University of California at Los Angeles, California, Ph.D., Psychology
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, 5th 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 – 2011 (Course, Date, Hours)
California State/American Psychological Association Approved Continuing Education
118th American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Diego, California
CE Workshop: “Legal, Ethical, Practical an Technological Suggestions for Delivering Psychotherapy Online, Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D., August 15, 2010, 7 hours
Presidential Address: “Sexual Desire, Intimacy, Interpersonal Neurobiology and Family Psychology, Ruth Morehouse and David M. Schnarch, Ph.D., August 14, 2010, 1 hour
Symposium “Legal, Ethical and Reimbursement for Telehealth and Telepsychology in Defined Settings. August 14, 2010, 2 hours.
California Psychological Association 2011 Annual Conventions, San Diego , California
“Client-Therapist Encounters on the Web: The Client Experience” April 8, 2011, 1.5 hours
Master Lecturer: “Behavioral Management of Pain: Old News or New Opportunities, April 9, 2011, 2.5 hours
Closing Plenary Session: “High Impact Interventions to Enhance Health and Well-Being, April 10, 2011, 3 hours.
California Psychological Association 2011 Annual Conventions, San Diego , California
“Legal/Ethical Telepsychology Opportunities: Consumer Access through Internet Web sites, Podcasts, eBooks, Continuity Programs and iPhone Apps,” April 9, 2011, 2 hours
“An Action Plan for Therapist Self-Care and Resilience,” April 8, 2011, 1.5 hours
Professional Psych Seminars:
Law and Ethics Update, Michele Licht, Los Angeles , California , February 18, 2011, 6 hours
California State/American Psychological Association Approved Continuing Education
“Complication of war: the veteran’s perspective on addressing individual and systemic post-combat difficulty.” California Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Costa Mesa, California, April 15, 2010, 6 hours.
“Psychologists and Medicare” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc. May-June 2009 Issue, 11-28-09, 2 hours
“Between Supervisor and Supervisee” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc. July-August 2009 Issue, 11-28-09, 2 hours
“Psychologists and the Laws Against Snooping” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc.
Mar-Apr 2009 Issue, 11-28-09, 2 hours
” Working with Multiple People in Therapy: A refresher on obligations” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc. Sept-Oct 2008 Issue, 11-29-09, 2 hours
“What is Private: the Courts Decide a Laptop is not Like a Home or the Human Mind” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc. Nov-Dec 2008 Issue. 11-27-09, 2 hours.
“College and University Withdrawal Policies for Suicidal Students” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc. May-June 2008 issue, 11-30-09, 2 hours
“Why Consistency is the Wrong benchmark for Credibility in Asylum” The California Psychologist, California Psychological Assoc. Sept-Oct 2009 issue, 11-30-09. 2 hours
“The Importance of Interprofessional Training” Barbara Ann Cubic, Ph.D. National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Integrated Healthcare: Module 15 (2009) 11-28-09, 1 hour
“Disability and Accessibility, Ethical Implications” Stacy L. Weber, MS, CRC, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Ethics: Module 1 (2009) 11-27-09, 1 hour
“The Supreme Court 2007-2009: Competency, Gun Control and Capital Punishment” Steven R. Smith, J.D., National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Legal Issues: Module 1 (2008) 11-15-09, 2 hours
“Evidence-Based practice in Psychology” National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Module 1 (2008) 8-6-09, 1 hour
“Locating the Best Online Research”, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Evidence-Based Practice Module 2 (2008), 8-6-09, 1 hour
“The Primary Care Psychology Approach” Leonard J. Hass Ph.D. and Frank V. DeGruy, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Integrated Healthcare: Module 1 (2009) 11-28-09, 1 hour
“Training Psychologists as Consultants to Hospital Emergency Departments” Diomaris E. Jurecska and Misti Tuerck, George Fox University, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Integrated Healthcare:
Module 16 (2009) 11-28-09, 1 hour
“Collaborative Care: Comprehensive Health Care Done Right” Benjamin F. Miller, Psy.D. and Randall Reitz, Ph.D., National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Integrated Healthcare: Module 2 (2009) 11-29-09, 1 hour
“Hospice and Psychology” Rudy V. Nydegger, Ph.D., National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, Areas of Expertise: Module 1 (2009) 11-29-09, 1 hour
“Law and Ethics: 2009 Update” Lawrence E. Hedges, Ph.D., Psycho-Legal Assoc., (MCEP Provider #503687) 10-30-09, 6 hours
“Clinical Case History” James Hillman, Ph.D., The Evolution of Psychology Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12-11-09
“Toward A Mindful Technology of Change” Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., The Evolution of Psychology Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12-11-09
“Reality Therapy/Choice Therapy” William Glasser, Ph.D., The Evolution of Psychology Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12-11-09
“Hypnosis and Psychotherapy” Ernest Rossi, Ph.D. The Evolution of Psychology Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12-11-09
“Chain Analysis” Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. The Evolution of Psychology Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12-11-09
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
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)