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Dr. Rachel Malin is a licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. She received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego, CA and completed her post-doctoral training at Ventura County Conditional Release Program (CONREP), primarily working with the forensic and severely mentally ill population from the California Department of State Hospitals. In addition to her work at Silver Line Psychology, Inc., she also provides legally mandated mental health evaluations and risk assessments for individuals placed in the California Department of State Hospitals for MHM Services CONREP.
Dr. Malin provides psychological assessment and testing for forensic cases related to psychosis and risk assessment. She is also Foundationally Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) trained.
How would you describe your therapeutic style?
My therapeutic style is a combination of creating a safe and trusting environment while also actively and collaboratively addressing your needs. With empathy, acceptance, compassion, (and a little humor too!), I can help you find more awareness and balance so you can trust yourself to handle life’s challenges with more confidence and ease.
What is your specialty?
I work with individuals diagnosed with mood (anxiety, depressive, bipolar), psychotic, and trauma related disorders. Oftentimes, individuals come to me for treatment when they are feeling scared, alone, and unheard. They are often in distress and wanting to learn healthy coping skills and find balance in their daily lives.
What is a Psychotic Spectrum Disorder?
A psychotic spectrum disorder is a broad term to describe many different diagnoses of psychosis. Symptoms of psychosis can include: auditory hallucinations (hearing voices), visual hallucinations (seeing visions), having unusual thoughts, or behaving in strange ways.
Treating psychosis tends to involve an active role from an individual’s clinician and support system. Treatment should take a collaborative approach with the individual and include the following components to ensure an improved sense of well-being:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT;)
2. Family (and/or Peer) Support and Education
3. Medication Management and Education
4. Case Management and Education
What would you say to those seeking therapy for the first time?
I know how scary it can be to ask for help as well as the vulnerability it takes to trust someone to share your story with. However, reaching out for support can be life changing, as it gives you the opportunity to be heard, validated, and seen. It also gives you the chance to heal and grow mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Short Term (Solution-focused, etc.)
Ideal for those who are coming in with a specific problem they’d like to address and gain clarity on. Typically, short term therapies are present focused and do not dive deep into your past.
Structured
Structured therapies are goal and progress oriented. Therapists may incorporate psychoeducation and a specific “curriculum.” In order to stay on track, therapists may provide worksheets and homework.
Insight-oriented (Psychodynamic, Existential, etc.)
Exploring the past and making connections to present issues can help clients gain insight. Getting to the root of the issue and finding deeper self-awareness can help with long-term change.
Non-directive (Humanistic, Person-centered, etc.)
Going with the flow and seeing where it leads.
Behavioral (CBT, DBT, etc.)
Focuses on changing potentially unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors by addressing problematic thought patterns and specific providing coping skills.
Trauma Focused (EMDR, TF-CBT, etc.)
Recognizing the connection between trauma experiences and your emotional and behavioral responses, trauma focused therapy seeks to help you heal from traumas.
