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About Me

My Background

We all experience life uniquely from each other. Some of my life experiences, along with my eduction and professional career, have given my powerful insights and positively influenced my psychotherapy and coaching practice. ​

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In my twenties, I traveled across the western U.S. and Canada as a bicycle tour guide and was able to witness firsthand the enormous resilience of human spirit. 

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After I received my Ph.D. in Health Psychology, I counseled patients with chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. I continued working in the medical field with over a decade spent in organ and tissue donation counseling families about the donation process. During my time in organ donation, I learned about the unique challenges of working in an atmosphere of life and death. I was immersed in tragedy, bravery, love, sadness, compassion, courage, and yes - sleep deprivation. 

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I'm also no stranger to the challenges of everyday life and the debilitating effects of job related stress. Several years ago I discovered the Resilience Advantage program created by HeartMath and became a certified trainer and coach. I actively use the tools in my own life to reduce stress, increase energy, and operate with more clarity. 

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In 2015, I launched my psychotherapy practice. Soon after, I combined it with my resilience training and coaching services in order to offer the best of both worlds to my clients. 

Education and Certifications

EMDRIA Approved Basic EMDR Training, 2017

Licensed HeartMath Coach & Trainer, 2013

California School of Professional Psychology, 2005

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Psychology

California School of Professional Psychology, 1997

Masters of Science in Health Psychology

California Polytechnic State University, 1994

Bachelors of Science in Human Development,

minor in Applied Developmental Psychology

University of Pennsylvania, Coursework

  • Positive Psychology: Applications & Interventions

  • Positive Psychology: Martin E.P. Seligman’s Visionary Science

  • Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods

  • Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills

  • Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-Being

PESI, Coursework

  • ADHD Professional Intensive Training Course: Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan

Dr. Anissa Cordova posing at halfway point
woman hiking through the woods
group of hikers walking across a grassy field towards a mountain

My Philosophy

My approach is: 

  • Skills Based: An important part of therapy is to build your skillset so that you can provide yourself support and comfort outside of session. I draw upon positive psychology, psychophysiology, trauma informed and mindfulness based tools and techniques. 

  • Collaborative: I see the relationship between you and me as a partnership with shared motivations and goals. We co-create together.

  • ​Holistic: Your body, heart, mind and spirit are all equally important aspects of being human. My work invites each and supports their integration 

  • Individually Tailored: You are a complex, highly individual being with a unique life experience. I meet you where you are, and from there, allow a clear direction and process to emerge in order to address you individual needs.

  • Mindfulness-Based: Change and transformation occur through understanding and insight, through shifts in your experienced and perception, I encourage you to explore the here-and-now, to dive deep into emotions, to increase familiarity with these states, and to link them with cognitive ways of knowing. 

  • Non-Pathologizing: Your symptoms and life struggles are not problems to be fixed or eradicated, but rather important conveyors of useful information and knowledge that can be garnered for growth and well-being.

  • Empowering: You have a set of strengths, resources, personal "gifts," or capacities. You will find your unique way to remain resilient, to cope with obstacles, setbacks, and real disappointments. Our work together builds on what you already have to read and maintain momentum for growth.

Services

1

Individual Psychotherapy

The goal of psychotherapy is not to change you. Rather, the goal is to change what is limiting and no longer beneficial, so that you can grow more fully into who you’re meant to be. 

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First session: $65  

  • The fit between therapist and client is important. Our  first in-person session will help you decide if it feels  good to continue working with me. 

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Subsequent sessions: $130 

  • Sliding scale fees are available on a case-by-case  basis and are dependent on space in my practice.

2

Coaching

Coaching empowers you to achieve more resilience  and harmony in your life—with other people, in a variety of circumstances, or just with yourself.

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Using the Resilience Advantage™ program developed  by HeartMath, I’ll teach you tools and techniques to  help you:

  • Cope effectively and adapt appropriately in stressful  situations  

  • Increase your energy and focus 

  • Re-energize after an emotionally charged day

3

Workshops & Classes

I teach workshops and classes to groups of all sizes,  ranging anywhere from a 10-minute talk to a 5-hour  curriculum including demonstrations of biofeedback  technology. 

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Topics taught in the workshops & classes include but are not limited to: 

  • The latest findings from optimal-performance  research  

  • Skills for building resilience in the face of change  and uncertainty  

  • Intelligent energy self-regulation techniques

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