Thea Riley, Psy.D.

“Some people see scars, and it is wounding they remember. To me, they are proof of the fact that there is healing.” ― Linda Hogan

Pain, hardship, and suffering are an inevitable part of life. And often, these experiences can lead us to feel overwhelmed, stuck, alone, and without direction or hope. We may begin to believe that there is something wrong with us or to view life as something to simply survive. We may feel stuck with no idea how to move forward and establish a life that feels fulfilling. Life is full of these difficult and painful moments or seasons, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. And it’s okay to need help. 

I strive to provide a heavily relational, psychodynamic, culturally-sensitive approach to therapy, offering care that is sensitive to each individual’s unique needs. I draw from trauma-informed care principles and values, aiming to establish safety, trust, and empowerment. Ultimately, I aim to promote healing and freedom through provision of a therapeutic space that allows people to process their grief or pain, to address past trauma, to explore all aspects of their identity, to work through past or present relational difficulties, to gain self-knowledge, to combat fear or anxiety, and to discover how to live a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.

I have experience working in university counseling centers (Biola University, Whittier College) and in a community mental health clinic (Fuller Psychological and Family Services). I earned my Psy.D from APA- accredited Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. I have worked with children, college students, young adults, professionals, and adults with various presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, grief/loss, sexual trauma, spiritual struggles, attachment/developmental trauma, relationship concerns, family concerns, adjustment struggles, social anxiety, work-related concerns, PTSD, life dissatisfaction, and cultural/identity struggles.