Justin McArdle, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #135400
Supervised by Catherine Morrill, LMFT #49091
Who I Work With
Teens, young adults, adults, couples, and families to help them freely express themselves, form connections, deepen self-awareness, and navigate beneath the surface to find clarity and fulfillment.
Specialties
Anxiety and depression
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Men’s issues
Young adults
LGBTQIA+
Asian Americans
Religious and spiritual trauma (church hurt)
Families, couples, and relationship challenges
About
My mission is to build a meaningful connection with you, ensuring you feel seen, heard, and understood. Together, we'll create secure experiences that help you grow and find greater peace. I want to help you thrive in what you love and overcome the fears that hold you back.
My clients often say how easy it is to just be themselves and share whatever's on their minds and hearts with me. Sometimes, I might be the only person they can talk to, and having a place to unload everything is such a relief. Some clients even get so comfortable they lie flat on the couch while they process their thoughts!
My priority is to create a safe space for you to share whatever's on your mind. I'll listen to not just your words but also the underlying themes, helping you connect the dots on things that might be hard to see.
I use different therapeutic approaches, such as attachment, psychodynamic, experiential/somatic, and EMDR. I also often incorporate the Enneagram and How We Love assessments to help individuals and couples understand their motivations and relationship dynamics.
You'll sense my joy in being with you and learning what's on your mind in each session. I hope you feel important and know that every thought and experience you share matters.
For many years, I volunteered with various non-profits to mentor youth and young adults. I also facilitated experiential retreats, allowing participants to work through past hurts and express deep feelings.
After completing my BA in Psychology in my early 20s, I didn’t feel ready to pursue a therapist career. However, in addition to volunteering, I pursued a personal healing journey, growing from a place of wrestling with shame-based messages to a place of loving and accepting myself and finding peace and contentment.
After working in the corporate setting from my 20s through my 40s, I decided it was time to pursue a career as a therapist and offer my experiences and training to help others navigate life’s challenges.
That said, I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and have a passion for helping people navigate the challenges of being LGBTQIA+ and integrating their faith, as this has been my lifelong journey.
What I Do in My Free Time
I enjoy hiking and camping. Since 2014, I have been co-leading camping and backpacking retreats that integrate personal growth work. I also enjoy listening to music and podcasts and trying new restaurants in OC and LA!
Education
Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Therapy; Hope International University
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Capital University
Certifications/Advanced Training/Memberships
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained, EMDRIA; evidence-based treatment for trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Long Beach • Santa Ana • Virtual
justin@soulrestorationproject.org
714-262-4445, ext. 14