dr. rex: adolescent and family specialist

As a licensed psychologist (PSY 34882), my journey represents a unique convergence of creative expression and clinical expertise. After pursuing a vibrant career in entertainment across Sydney, New York, and Los Angeles since 1996, I returned to academia at 37 to transform my passion into a profound therapeutic practice. My educational foundation—a Psychology degree with a Theater minor from UCLA, followed by a Master's and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University—has been instrumental in developing my distinctive approach to mental health.

During my undergraduate studies, spurred by my direct experience as an acting teacher and professional actor, and genuine curiosity as to the positive mental health impact of acting courses on youth, I began facilitating psychodrama and drama groups to adolescent populations within the highest regarded intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and residential treatment center programs in Los Angeles. The groups proved to be so popular and helpful to teenagers, I soon began facilitating groups full-time throughout the duration of my graduate studies, including adult programs such as Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, the longest serving residential treatment center for women in addiction and recovery in LA. I facilitated approximately 4000 therapeutic groups over a 9-year period, and to this day - the integration of the experiential within therapy proves to be a powerful speciality I draw on to help others.

My doctorate placements include Encino Community Clinic and the LGBT Center in Los Angeles - where I also led a weekly recovery group. For my internship/residency, I worked at Tarzana Treatment Centers (dual-diagnosis youth track) helping youth (8-12), adolescents and their families. My postdoc placement was at BNI Treatment Centers, a high acuity residential treatment center for adolescents. I also served here as a full-time psychologist conducting individual, family therapy and parent coaching, prior to branching out on my own to establish Dr. Rex Psychological Services Inc. 

Whether you're struggling with depression, social anxiety, substance use, phone addiction, academic challenges, loneliness, grief, identity crises, parenting challenges, other adolescent issues, or navigating an existential crisis, I am dedicated to supporting your personal growth. My goal is to help you not only identify your emotional challenges but to experience them fully and develop meaningful strategies for healing and personal transformation.