Megan Bearce, M.A., MFT
Therapist for Gifted Teens and Adults
Megan Bearce is a rare find for parents of gifted chidren and for gifted adults. If the questions below intrigue you, you should meet Megan Bearce. You can contact her at therapist@meganbearce.com or by phone at 818-665-9645. Be sure to tell her that The Blisful Soul referred you!
About Being Gifted and Talented
Parents:
Does your child ask endless, often advanced questions?
Have people suggested your child has ADD or ADHD but you don’t think so?
Does your child have an unusually complex vocabulary for their age?
Does your child display exceptional creative or athletic talents?
Has their teacher reported a lack of attention in class but they have little trouble focusing when it’s something they are interested in?
Does your child relate easier to adults than peers their own age?
Does your child’s complex play frustrate peers?
Has your child expressed overwhelm or hopelessness about the state of the world?
Has the school agreed your child is gifted yet not is providing challenging curriculum?
Should you home school, skip grades, or pursue early entrance to college?
Adults:
Do you feel like your co-workers or friends just don’t get it?
Do you currently feel or did you grow up feeling isolated or different?
Have people described you as “too much” or “too intense”?
Did you find school easy and often boring?
Did you feel that people only cared about what you excelled in?
What does “gifted and talented” mean?
The National Association of the Gifted defines it as persons who “show, or have the potential for showing, and exceptional level of performance in one or more of the following areas: general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative thinking, leadership ability, and visual or performing arts.” No two gifted people are alike so there is no simple response. In addition, someone may be gifted in one area but not others and so they may not be identified, especially if a learning disorder co-exists (“Twice-exceptional”). If kids are bored, they may be underachieving and not identified by adults as gifted. Also, measuring creativity and leadership skills are more difficult that an IQ test. Even then, an IQ test is only a snapshot of a certain moment in time and can be influenced by many variables.
About Megan Bearce
I enjoy working with both teens and adults and view therapy as a safe place to explore relationships, whether those relationships are with people (family, co-workers, partner) or things (food, money, alcohol). I also feel an important part of therapy is addressing the social, economic, and cultural influences on a person and that the process of therapy be a collaborative one, with the client seen as the “expert” on their life.
As a former CPA from Minnesota, I have first-hand experience with the challenges involved in relocating to Los Angeles and changing careers. My prior work in the entertainment industry also brings an awareness of the unique aspects of that world.
I trained over 3 years at the Southern California Counseling Center and participated in their AAMFT approved course in family and couples therapy. I also worked with clients whose presenting problems included childhood sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, cutting, and life transitions. In addition, I am a trained facilitator for Girls Circle groups, which are support groups for girls’ ages 9-18 years. I began my private practice as an MFT intern and now as a licensed therapist I have offices in West Hollywood and Eagle Rock.
EDUCATION:
Antioch University Los Angeles
M.A. earned March 2003: Clinical Psychology
Emphasis on marriage, family, and child counseling
Minnesota State University-Mankato
B.S. earned June 1996: Accounting, minor in Economics Summa cum Laude, 1996 College of Business Student of the Year
CLINICAL TRAINING:
SENG-Model Parent Group Facilitator 2006
Private Practice Internship September 2004-December 2005
Southern California Counseling Center (SCCC)
Counselor: MFT Trainee and Intern May 2002-September 2005
Provided individual, couples, and family therapy, including school-based counseling. Presenting problems included sexual compulsions, childhood sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, life transitions, cutting, and PTSD.
Groups Co-Facilitated:
TLC (Training Lay Counselors) July 2004-December 2005
Group portion of a 6-month program that provides training, supervision, and support for community counselors who typically work in under-served communities.
WE Matter girls group October 2004-March 2005
Adolescent girls group at the Bresee Foundation facilitated using Girls Circle and Cleanslate models.
Training Programs:
Family Therapy Training Program
A yearlong, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists approved course in family therapy.
GATE (Gang Awareness Training & Education)
Course included training in developing an awareness and understanding of gang culture, the concept of gang recovery, and realistic alternatives to gang involvement. Ways to facilitate dialogue with clients were presented using post-modern therapy models. Received Community Gang Counselor Certification.
School Counselor Training
SCCC Clinical Training Course
CleanSlate
Counselor April 2003-present
Co-facilitate a gang recovery, rage resolution, and tattoo removal group called CleanSlate founded by Marianne Diaz. Gang-related issues such as perceived disrespect and anger are explored within a supportive, non-judgmental group atmosphere.
Teen Line
Resource Associate October 2003-August 2005
Teen Line is a highly regarded confidential peer hotline and community outreach program founded to help teens address their problems through conversation with their peers and referrals to community resources. Teen Line has been awarded certification by the American Association of Suicidology and the line receives more than 10,000 calls a year, of which the topics include crisis intervention, family issues, sexuality, addictions, abuse, and self-harm.
Girls Circle Facilitator Certified in 2003
A model of structured support groups for girls age 9-18 designed to allow for discussion of topics such as body image, friendship, assertive vs. aggressive or passive responses, stress management, authority figures and mother/daughter relationships. Creative activities and conversation are used to foster peer support, self-esteem, and feelings of empowerment.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles 2001-2005
20th Century Fox/Dorsey High School S.T.A.R. Mentoring Program 1999-2000
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
AAMFT (American Association of Marriage & Family Therapist) 2006
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Los Angeles Chapter of CAMFT
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE:
Certified Public Accountant Fall 1996 exam, license currently inactive
Five years of experience included working as an auditor for an International accounting firm, as an accounting supervisor for 20th Century Fox International Television, and as an independent consultant for 20th Century Fox & Morgan Creek.