 |
| Charlie Padow, LCSW |
--
From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to listening to other people’s stories and wanting to ease their suffering. Early job experiences such as a camp counselor, writing tutor and journalist reinforced my interest in helping others one-on-one.
My own personal experiences in therapy in my mid-20s helped me discover my life’s calling as a psychotherapist. I gravitated to the field of clinical social work because its core values-- including social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person and importance of human relationships-- resonate so deeply with my own beliefs and life experiences.
Clinical social work has also always been in my blood. I was raised by a clinical social worker and received help from social service organizations in my formative years when my family faced significant challenges.
My Approach
My approach is strongly influenced by Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), an evidence based practice that believes that each individual is an expert in their own life and a therapist’s job is to "lead from behind."
I consider therapy a supportive collaboration between therapist and client. I do not see myself as the “all knowing” expert, but rather a guide that helps a client rediscover their inner strengths in order to approach life’s inevitable struggles with greater ease and confidence.
Additionally, I incorporate "best practice" therapy interventions from my professional training and experience, including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness.
My Credentials
I graduated from UCLA in 2007 with a masters in social welfare (MSW). While at UCLA, I completed two clinical internships as a requirement for my MSW degree and become a licensed clinical social worker in the State of California in 2010 (CA License #: LCSW26448).
I currently work as a staff therapist at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services. I previously worked as a Clinical
Instructor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at
Keck School of Medicine of USC, Assistant Director of Community Mental Health and Supportive Services at National Council of Jewish Women Los Angele, psychiatric social worker at Kaiser Permanente Department of Psychiatry in Los Angeles, staff social worker at Child and Family Guidance in Northridge, and a hospice social worker with Seasons Hospice in Pasadena.
