Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Local Support & Community Resources

Gil Carmona, MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated clinical social worker and therapist who specializes in partnering with clients navigating transitional phases in their lives, as well as couples and families seeking guidance through challenges. He honors the privilege of holding space for clients' thoughts, feelings, fears, and insecurities during therapeutic sessions, fostering a warm, stable, and authentic environment. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Gil offers bilingual therapeutic support, enhancing accessibility for a diverse clientele. With extensive experience in behavioral healthcare, he provides psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, couples, and families across various settings, including outpatient and intensive outpatient mental health, inpatient psychiatric care, and higher-level substance use disorder treatment. Acknowledging that the decision to seek therapy is a deeply personal one, Gil invites individuals to explore whether his approach aligns with their needs. He looks forward to guiding clients on their journey of self-discovery.

Lynda Helfend, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping clients navigate the often daunting journey of seeking help. She understands how difficult it can be to find a psychologist who provides a feeling of comfort and safety. With extensive experience in working with preteens, teens, adults, and elders, Lynda has a unique capability to tailor her therapy sessions to meet the individual needs of each client. Her background includes work at the National Asthma Center and a large urban general hospital, which has enriched her skill set across various therapeutic modalities, including Family/Marital, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and especially Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Lynda believes that therapy serves not only as a highly effective tool for resolving mood disorders and trauma-related issues but also offers the invaluable gift of self-understanding and confidence in one's own inner resources. Through her professional passion, she fosters a therapeutic space where clients can explore personal growth and healing.

Dr. Kendra Devor is a dedicated psychologist who works with individuals, couples, and families to restore hope, discover solutions, and transform lives. She helps clients learn how to reconnect with their spouses and children in peaceful and constructive ways. Dr. Devor creates a therapeutic environment that is both compassionate and challenging, allowing clients to explore their personal potential. Known for her energetic and empathetic approach, she uses humor and clarity to help clients navigate their life situations. Her expertise encompasses relationship problems, trauma, anxiety, and depression, addressing issues from everyday hurts to experiences of abuse and neglect. Utilizing integrative psychotherapies, including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Trauma-Focused therapy, EMDR, Psychoanalytic methods, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), she effectively alleviates symptoms related to diverse life disturbances. Dr. Devor views each client as a unique individual and collaborates closely to assist them in uncovering solutions to their distinctive challenges. She is committed to helping clients identify and express their thoughts and feelings, clarify their needs and goals, implement effective strategies, and encourage their decisions.