Ralph G. Kuechle, PhD

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST IN NEWPORT BEACH, CA

I'm a Clinical Psychologist in Newport Beach, CA and licensed in the State of California (PSY22751). My area of expertise is the treatment of child behavior problems and adolescents struggling with issues and family conflicts. I received my doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at the Los Angeles campus of Alliant International University in Alhambra, California in 2006 (APA Approved Clinical Ph.D. Program).

I have extensive experience in crisis intervention, psychological assessment, and psychotherapy. My area of expertise is working with children and adolescents who exhibit severe behaviors. I have a family systems approach meaning I work with the entire family while conceptualizing cases from a psychodynamic perspective. Treatment interventions include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems strategies. I have worked in residential and community-based programs as Therapeutic-Behavioral Services (TBS) Coach (2002-2007), Psychotherapist (2004-2010), Crisis Responder (2006-2010), and Program Director (2008-2011) for a contractor agency in Orange County, South Coast Community Services. TBS is crisis intervention for Children and Youth Services (CYS) in Orange County as part of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). I have completed a Practicum and 3 Internships (2 pre-doc and 1 post-doc) as Psychometrist and Psychotherapist with the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program at Coastline Community College (CCC), Providence Community Services (PCS) Outpatient Clinics, and the Clinical Evaluation and Guidance Unit (CEGU), CYS, BHS, OCHCA, in Orange County.

Family in crisis? Everyone in the family is impacted by the stressful environment when children refuse to follow directions and develop behaviors such as verbal aggression (disrespectful communication, degrading comments, verbally threaten others), emotional outbursts (yelling, temper tantrums), physical aggression toward self (i.e., cutting and/or burning self) or others (pushing and/or hitting others, destroying property), suicidal ideation (threat to self) and/or homicidal ideation (threat to others), and/or running away (AWOL). As a result of feelings of sadness and anger, children and parents often engage in power struggles.

My area of expertise is individual therapy with children and adolescents who exhibit severe behaviors such as verbal and physical aggression, property destruction, resistance to authority (oppositional and defiant behaviors), self-injurious behaviors, and AWOL. I also work with the entire family (i.e., parental coaching) as part of the family therapy process. Parenting can be challenging. Crisis situations such as a divorce may cause a significant disruption of family life. Children may develop undesirable behaviors that are difficult to cope with. I'm here to help you. During our initial consultation, I will assess your situation and provide resources that will meet the need of your child and family.

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