Psychologist, PSY9503
Marriage, Family Therapist, MA21027
Dr. Lois V. Nightingale, PHD
Lois Nightingale, PhD is an author of self-help books and is also one of the very few psychotherapists licensed both as a Clinical Psychologist and as a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor. This means she holds both a masters degree and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, has completed internship requirements for each therapeutic specialty and passed both the written and oral exams in California for these two therapy licenses. She has been trained in EMD-R and is an active member of International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP). She has extensive experience working with families, couples, adolescents, children and adults.
Dr. Nightingale has received additional post graduate training in many modes of psychotherapy including Behavior Modification, Short Term, Relationship, and Family Therapies, Chemical Dependency, hypnosis, Cognitive-Behavioral, Jungian and Transpersonal psychotherapies. Because it is a high priority of hers to bring clients the most current and up-to-date treatment, she spends over 200 hours a year in continuing education and specialized training.
She is one of the few therapists licensed both as a Psychologist (Ph.D. level) and Marriage, Family, Child Therapist (Masters). She receives advanced training in many therapy modalities including Family Systems & Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.
She specializes in family communications; behavioral contracting and helping families in conflict and crisis find practical tools that work. She primarily uses solution-based therapies with a focus on short-term problem solving orientations, along with humor and a strong emphasis on the positive.
Since 1980 her experience in the mental health field has also included being a faculty member of the Holmes Institute School of Ministry, forensic evaluations, court testimony, and program director of two psychiatric hospital units. One an innovative Mother/Infant unit she pioneered to treat women suffering from Postpartum Depression, the other a Chemical Dependency unit for Charter Behavioral Health.
Her Brief Therapy model focuses on empowering clients to regain control over their lives. First she listens with compassion then helps you build coping skills and tools for handling difficult emotions. She also encourages making life-affirming choices while developing self-acceptance. Her homework assignments can enhance progress between sessions.
Her humor and effervescence and engaging style make her a popular national professional speaker. As the mother of two, her lectures come from a personal as well as professional point of view.
Some recent audience reactions have been:
“Easy to understand. She is great at analyzing problem situations.”
“Very practical and spontaneous.”
“Methods that actually work, taught by someone who knows.”
“Loved her positive attitude and humor.”
“Lots of energy!”
“Well explained, clear, concise, well organized and practical.”
“Great speaker, please have her back!”
If you would like to invite her to speak to your organization a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae can be requested through our office.
She also makes numerous television, radio and Internet appearances each year as a talk show guest, psychological authority and adviser. Because of her pragmatic perspective she is also frequently quoted in written media as an expert in her field.
Dr. Nightingale is the author of It’s a Bedroom not a Boardroom, a conflict resolution guide for ambitious couples. Her audio books, Overcoming Postpartum Depression, a Doctor’s Own Story, and A Quiet Time for New Mothers are available on Sound Cloud, and her books My Parents Still Love Me Even Though They’re Getting Divorced, My Dads Still Love Me Even Though They’re Getting Divorced and My Moms Still Love Me Even Though They’re Getting Divorced are story/workbooks for children and parents facing divorce. Her other books include Sebastian’s Super Special Secret, a book for children with one agnostic parent and one parent of faith, Building Resiliency, a guide on shepherding children through the upheaval of divorce and Dr. Nightingales Workbook for Mental Health During a Pandemic, a workbook with activities to support anyone working on their own mental health and serenity during a pandemic. She has also authored many professional journal and self-help articles, therapeutic stories, and is an award winning poet. Her aim is to help people in emotional need find resources, regain hope and purpose and return to productive fulfilling lives.
An introduction to her therapy style can be found on Sound Cloud.
Please call her office (Dr. Nightingale does not receive texts or emails) if you have any questions about therapy or scheduling an appointment. Phone: 714-993-5343
Lois V. Nightingale, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, license # PSY 9503
Marriage Family & Child Therapist, License # MA 21027