Yvonne Venger, LCSW

Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. -A.A. Milne

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Yvonne Venger, LCSW's style

Why Yvonne Venger, LCSW chose to be in the helping profession

My father always wanted me to be a lawyer. When I graduated college, I told him that while law is certainly a noble profession, and I could probably do well as a litigator, I did not want to use my quick thinking and energy to win arguments. Instead, I felt drawn to use those gifts in a way that could help people heal, grow, and navigate life's challenges. Even then, I knew I wanted my work to have a meaningful impact on others.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in children's educational television because I believed it was a creative and engaging way to teach kids important life lessons. Then, at a Friday night Shabbat dinner, someone bluntly pointed out that my job was not directly helping anyone. After tending to my bruised ego, I had to admit there was some truth in what he said. That conversation pushed me to take a hard look at what interested me most and where my strengths could be put to their best use.

As I reflected, I realized that therapy had always been in the background of my life. From a young age, I naturally found myself in the role of unofficial therapist for friends and family, listening, supporting, and helping people work through difficult situations. The more I thought about it, the more it became clear that this was not simply an interest, but a calling.

I have a strong belief that each of us is given unique gifts and abilities, and that we are responsible for using them to do our part in healing the world. That belief is deeply connected to why I chose this profession and continues to guide my work today. It is a privilege to walk alongside people as they gain insight, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful change in their lives.

Yvonne Venger, LCSW's approach

My approach to therapy is warm, interactive, supportive, and intentional. I strive to create a space where clients feel respected, understood, and accepted for who they are. I meet each person where they are, without imposing my own agenda, assumptions, or worldview. I believe that meaningful therapy begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, collaboration, and genuine curiosity about each client's unique experience.

Because no two people are alike, I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I tailor my work to the individual, drawing on the interventions and perspectives that will be most helpful for their particular needs, goals, and circumstances. My therapeutic orientation combines psychodynamic therapy, cognitive approaches, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), allowing me to explore both the deeper roots of challenges and the practical tools needed to create change. I frequently integrate insight-oriented, solution-focused, and strength-based interventions to help clients better understand themselves while also moving forward in meaningful ways.

I believe that seeking help takes courage. Reaching out for support is often one of the most difficult and important steps a person can take. My goal is to help clients feel comfortable engaging in the therapeutic process, knowing that they do not have to navigate life's challenges alone. Together, we work collaboratively to identify obstacles, build on existing strengths, and create lasting changes that support greater wellbeing, resilience, and fulfillment.

What you can expect from sessions with Yvonne Venger, LCSW

The initial session is designed to help us begin building a safe, supportive, and healing therapeutic relationship. It is both an informational and history-gathering session, giving us the opportunity to explore what has brought you to therapy, discuss your goals and hopes for the process, and answer any questions you may have. I will also explain how therapy works and what you can expect moving forward. Because there is a lot to cover, the initial session typically lasts at least one hour.

Subsequent sessions are 50 minutes in length and are ideally scheduled once a week, especially at the beginning of our work together. This consistency allows us to build rapport and develop the trust that is essential for meaningful therapeutic work. While specific interventions can be very helpful, I believe that the real healing happens within the therapeutic relationship itself. I work collaboratively with you to deepen insight, build on your strengths, and support you in making the changes needed to achieve a greater sense of wellbeing in your life.

Yvonne Venger, LCSW's experience working with the Jewish community

While pursuing my social work degree, I completed both of my internships at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, working in two different counseling clinics. My first placement was in the San Fernando Valley, and my second was in the South Bay area. I was especially fortunate during my second internship, where I received invaluable training and mentorship from a local psychoanalyst. That experience helped shape my clinical thinking and deepened my understanding of the therapeutic process.

After graduating, I was offered and accepted a position at the JFS South Bay clinic where I had interned. Because the clinic served the broader community, I had the opportunity to work with clients from a variety of backgrounds, including many Jewish clients as well as those from outside the Jewish community. I later joined what was then known as the Orthodox Counseling Center of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, where my work focused primarily on supporting Jewish families in the clinic and students attending Orthodox schools throughout the area. These early experiences provided a strong foundation for my career and reinforced my commitment to serving individuals, families, and the Jewish community with compassion and care.

Yvonne Venger, LCSW's Book Recommendation Zone

• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, And Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD
  Explains and explores the integral connection of the body and the brain in storing trauma.
• The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns, MD
  Essential foundation of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
• Eternal Life by Dara Horn
  Extremely creative and enjoyable novel that demands reflection on the meaning of life through a Jewish lens.

Approaches

• Attachment-based
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• KAP
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Supervision Services

Concerns

• Alzheimer's
• Anxiety
• Bereavement & Grief
• Chronic illness
• Dating
• Depression
• Life purpose and meaning
• Panic attacks/panic disorder
• Parenting
• Perimenopause & Menopause
• Prenatal, perinatal, & postpartum mental health
• Relationships
• Stress management
• Transitions & Change

25 years in practice

Licenses

• LCSW by BBS 2010. License number LCS24797

Degrees

• MSW by State of New York 2000

Average costs per session

$180 - $275

Payment Methods

• Free consultation
• Cash
• Check
• Credit Card