BELLATOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CONSULTANTS CORPORATION

WELCOMES YOU

“Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength”

"Aut viam inveniam aut faciam"

"I shall either find a way or make one."

Hannibal , Carthaginian General and Statesman

Get to Know Us

If you’re looking for quality Private Counseling sessions with providers who care, then you’ve come to the right place. We guide our patients every step of the way and implement methods to help them develop new attitudes towards all of life’s most complex matters. We specialize in treating active-duty military, veterans, first responders, medical personnel, and their families.

We focus our clinical skills on, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, moral injury, crisis, codependency, substance abuse, and family/relational. We implement evidenced based psychotherapy methods to instill self-understanding issues, encourage resilience, and personal growth. Therapies are typically 3-6 months depending on diagnosis and other factors.

Therapy is a healing process that necessitates participation and investment from the patient and caretaker alike. But in the end, making small changes to self-defeating behavior and coping with feelings of sadness, fear, and pain can bring life-altering results. Schedule an appointment today and see what we can do for you.

Staff Biographical Information

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. George Dabdoub

PSY31250

Prior to starting my career in the Los Angeles Police Department, I deployed to Operation Desert Storm as an active-duty Marine. After Marine Corps active duty, my career with LAPD provided me with the opportunity to complete a wide variety of assignments including as a gang officer, narcotics officer, patrol, and firearms and tactics instructor. I served for over 25 years and retired as a Detective working Major Crimes Division. My interest in psychology developed during my career in law enforcement when I was first exposed to the Crisis Negotiation Training (CNT) and the Mental Health Intervention Training (MHIT).

I completed my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of La Verne. My research explored the costs associated with serving in law enforcement and looked at several factors including burnout, compassion fatigue, suicidality, and use of force. I provided presentations on these findings and other mental health challenges facing law enforcement to various police agencies, associations, and organizations. In my clinical training and experience, I worked with diverse groups including adults who were at risk for suicide, struggling with severe mental illness, or who experienced trauma throughout their lifespan. I worked in several hospital settings, including private hospitals and the Veterans Health Administration where I completed rotations with the PTSD Clinical Team, Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program, Substance Treatment and Recovery, Inpatient Consultation & Liaison Emergency Service Team, and Health Psychology.

Before forming Bellator Psychological and Consultants Corporation, I served as the Regimental Clinical Psychologist for an active-duty Marine Corps command with a high deployment tempo. In addition to my clinical work with the active-duty service members, I implemented various programs aimed at preventing and mitigating mental health concerns, reducing stigma, increasing resilience, and improving overall mission performance. I also worked in private practice as a First Responder Clinical Director and as a Regional Director for a pain management practice. I continue to focus my clinical skills on PTSD, burnout, moral injury, chronic pain, compassion fatigue, and suicidality.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Melissa Houlston

LCSW 101154

I have always been passionate about helping children and families through crises. I graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from U.S.C. in 2015 and have over seven years of experience in various mental health and hospital settings. I started my career at CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) where I became very familiar with crises, trauma and death. My last job was for the County of Orange, where I provided psychological evaluations for suicidal and homicidal minors. I mention these two jobs to display that I am very comfortable dealing with the most
uncomfortable of situations. My specialties include anxiety, depression, trauma, crisis resolution, grief, codependency, substance abuse, pregnancy/postpartum, and family/relational issues.

Like anything in life, your passions can shift, or change. After having my children, I knew that I needed a little change in my career and wanted to fine tune my passion. Being a spouse of a first responder can be difficult at times, and I found that finding a therapist to support that role can be even more of a challenge. In my research, I found that there are multiple avenues of support for first responders, but very little for the spouses and families. I can honestly say, I know first hand the demands of the job and how it can take a toll on your relationship, your own mental health, and your children. Therefore, I want to be that avenue of support for spouses and families of first responders. With me, you won’t have to explain why your partner works chaotic shift work and why you feel the burden of everything weighing on you. As your therapist, I will empathize and help you cope with the situations that arise. I will be a safe place for you, free from judgment and provide plenty of support throughout your healing journey.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR VISIT

Learn About My Methods

We implement evidenced based psychotherapy methods to instill self-understanding, encourage resilience, and personal growth. Therapies are typically 3-6 months depending on diagnosis and other factors. It is essential to keep in mind that therapy is not a magic pill or a quick fix: therapy is a healing process that necessitates participation and investment from the patient and caretaker alike. But in the end, making small changes to self-defeating behavior and coping with feelings of sadness, fear, and pain can bring life-altering results.

SERVICES WE OFFER

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Trauma Focused

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

Motivational Interviewing

CBT for Insomnia

Seeking Safety

Personalized Care and Guidance

Peer Support

Moral Injury

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

If you’re looking for quality Private Counseling sessions with a certified Psychologist or Social Worker that cares, then you’ve come to the right place. We guide our patients every step of the way and implement various methods to help them develop new attitudes towards all of life’s most complex matters. Schedule an appointment today and see what we can do for you.

GROUP THERAPY

Supportive groups that are designed for specific groups including first responders, first responders' significant others, healthcare workers, and veterans. These groups are led by providers with expertise in the communities named. Topics are fluid and these groups are designed to provide psychoeducation and support to it's members. See below flyer for the First Responder Spouse Group.

First Responder Spouse Group Flyer.pdf