Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Deborah Bates
Treatment Specialties & Clinical Interests
Dr. Deborah Bates provides psychotherapeutic and assessment services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She works from an Attachment-Based Psychodynamic perspective as well as Internal Family Systems; both are relationship-based approaches that emphasize the influence of previous experiences on one's ongoing patterns and experiences. Dr. Bates incorporates a variety of treatment techniques, in order to bring restoration and repair to deep past pain, and to establish optimal functioning today. Her therapeutic work is specifically designed to meet the unique needs and characteristics of each individual, couple, or family. She strives to make the therapy room a warm and safe environment where her clients feel heard and understood. Dr. Bates has special interests in adoption and attachment, developmental disabilities, marital relationships, trauma recovery, spiritual issues, and member care. She also exhibits expertise in psychological and academic evaluations.
Education & Experience
Dr. Bates received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Biola University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Intercultural Studies. She graduated with her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University. She received supplemental training in Internal
Family Systems, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Developmental Individualized Relationship-Based (D.I.R.) FloorTime treatment (a relationship-based treatment for children with developmental disabilities). She has completed clinical training rotations for assessment and therapeutic services in outpatient and community clinics, non-profit organizations, and public schools. Dr. Bates has also provided intensive in-home services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and trauma-focused treatment with children and their families associated with the Department of Child and Family Services. Additionally, she spent several years working with orphans in Romania, ranging in age from infancy through adulthood. Among her responsibilities in Romania, she participated in the development and implementation of a residential program for adolescents transitioning into independent adulthood. She also has experience working with Third Culture Kids transitioning into college life in the United States.
Clinical Approach
Dr. Bates believes that early relational experiences are highly influential in how people come to view and experience themselves and the world around them. She also believes that through the therapeutic relationship, people can have deeply healing experiences that result in life transformation. In the context of this therapeutic relationship, Dr. Bates helps her clients to explore their current and past experiences, struggles, and patterns, which fosters increased understanding of themselves and their experiences. This also facilitates emotional stability, relational health, increased self-confidence, renewed perspective on life, and practical methods for coping with life's challenges.
Similar to her work with adults, Dr. Bates's work with children is uniquely designed to meet their treatment needs. She employs the therapeutic relationship and interactive techniques, including sand tray and play therapy, to address the child's treatment goals.
Faith and Spirituality
Dr. Bates is a Christian and is an active member of her church. Although her practice as a psychologist is firmly grounded in her psychological theory and training, she also observes a consistency between the science of psychology and the principles of health and healing found in the biblical Scriptures. Futhermore, as Dr. Bates has worked with clients from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, she has observed in both her practice and scientific research that the personal healing and transformation that occurs through the therapeutic process has the potential to overflow into the client's religious and spiritual life, resulting in healing from religious injuries and growth in the client's spiritual identity and experiences. As clients so desire, Dr. Bates seeks to incorporate the client's faith and cultural worldview into their psychological treatment. However, just as Dr. Bates's general therapeutic approach is to follow the client's lead regarding treatment topics and goals, she also follows the client's lead regarding the incorporation or exclusion of spiritual and religious matters in their psychotherapy.