About Cynthia Speakman, LCSW

Cynthia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, License #66060. She received her Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. During the last year of her graduate program and for one year after graduation, she obtained a position providing case management and intensive therapy for an Adult Full-Service Partnership Program with individuals with severe mental illness and a history of homelessness, incarcerations, and substance abuse. After two years working in community mental health, she decided it was time for a change, so she obtained a position as a social worker in the hospice setting. This is where she found her passion for end-of-life care. Cynthia found meaning in assisting patients and families facing life-limiting illness. She became an expert in death, dying and bereavement. She is a Certified Bereavement Counselor and has provided individual and group grief and bereavement support as well as assisted individuals and families through the process of dealing with chronic and life-limiting illness. Cynthia is trained in Healing After Loss, a support group curriculum, for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one.

Cynthia very much believes that individuals have all the strengths, talents, abilities, and coping skills to face their challenges, and it is her job to assist them in accessing those strengths to solve their own problems. Her focus is strength-based and person-centered. Cynthia has experience with brief and solution-focused therapies. She also has experience assisting persons with anxiety disorders and utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy to provide therapy and support to these individuals. Cynthia can incorporate breath work, guided imagery, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness to assist you in reducing your anxiety, and increasing your ability to focus on your goals.

Cynthia is excited to be able to offer her skills to provide therapeutic and healing services to you! She has been told that she is empathetic, compassionate, accepting, non-judgmental, and funny! She believes humor can get us through many of life’s challenges. While Cynthia is a spiritual person, she is happy to work with you whether you have a faith, no faith, or a different faith than hers. She believes one’s faith and spirituality is a source of strength that she will access, should you feel comfortable. Cynthia is excited to work with you and to assist you on your journey to become a healthier, more complete, and happier person!

Cynthia’s passions are the Dodgers (Go Blue!), Star Wars (May the Force be with you), and U2 (I Still Haven’t Found what I’m Looking for).

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