About

Hi there, I'm Myrna! Hello, I am Myrna V. Echols, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in California since 1981. Over many years of practice, I have used many theories and tools. In the 1980's I called myself a transpersonal psychotherapist, meaning that my perspective included wisdom from all of the world's spiritual traditions. Currently, my tools come most from Transformational Neurolinguistic Programming, along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. My approach The foundation of my approach is deep respect for who you are now, for where you want to be, and for the past that has brought you to this moment, no matter how dark it may be. As I see it, we are all choosing the option that feels best from the menu that is available to us at any moment. The tools of Transformational NLP make new options available that are sometimes way more effective and better for everyone. My focus I work with individual adults of all ages on emotional issues that call for self-confidence and self-compassion. These issues underlie many diverse diagnoses and problems, including codependence, addiction, social anxiety and isolation, performance and relationship anxieties, and depression. My work is trauma-informed and culturally sensitive. My communication style I can promise that when we begin to work together, you will feel (as much as you can) comfortable and able to express yourself spontaneously, free of judgment. I want you to feel seen and begin to relate in new ways to your own feelings and desires immediately so that you begin to feel empowered and perhaps inspired. My journey to mental healthcare When I was young I thought I would be something like a librarian, interested in world religions. I did not know I was a healer until my first client, and then it was as if I had always been doing this. After college, I was inspired by a new school teaching psychologists to care for people in their social contexts.