Chris Fulton, Ph.D.

 

Licensed Psychologist
PSY 14741

Dr.Christopher Fulton has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 1996 and has been working in the mental health field since 1990. He received his doctorate in 1994 from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles (CSPP, LA). His degree was in community-clinical psychology and his training was in family and child psychotherapy.

Dr. Fulton has clinical training and experience in a variety of settings, including: a community counseling center, a psychiatric hospital, a college counseling center, several school sites and private practice. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Fulton has administrative, teaching, supervision, consulting, research and psychological testing experience. He administered an internship training program for several years in which graduate students provided psychological services to children at elementary and middle schools. In this position, he provided supervision to doctoral interns and consultation to elementary school personnel regarding childhood emotional disorders.

In addition to his therapy work, Dr. Fulton has authored a chapter in a book on gangs and has presented seminars on childhood problems and other psychological topics to schools, national organizations and educational specialists. As a professor at Santa Monica College, he taught courses in Child Development and Psychology for over 7 years. Dr. Fulton is currently in association with several other mental health professionals and he has developed a private practice that offers a variety of psychological services.

Dr. Fulton provides consultation and ongoing therapy for children, adolescents and adults. He conducts group, individual, couples and family therapy and actively works with a variety of childhood disorders, including: adjustment disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant and other emotional-behavioral disorders.

Among his most frequent areas of concentration is divorce, for which Dr. Fulton offers therapy for all involved: individual therapy for the children; conjoint therapy with a child and parent; and co-parent training for divorced parents. Recognized as an expert witness in both Dependency Court and Family Law Court, Dr. Fulton has assisted many families through the many challenges divorce poses to children. With respect to adults, he treats issues related to anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsiveness, phobias, relationship problems and stress. Dr. Fulton also assists couples in resolving communication, intimacy, parenting and other issues leading to marital dissatisfaction.

Utilizing research-supported methods in treatment, Dr. Fulton's approach to therapy involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral, family systems and interpersonal interventions. When working with adults, Dr. Fulton's style is candid, compassionate and focused. He is able to quickly assess the issues at hand and derive strategies to overcome them. In his work with children, Dr. Fulton involves parents and assists them in developing appropriate responses to their children, since he believes that ultimately the parent will make the most significant impact on the child. Dr. Fulton helps parents establish appropriate boundaries, communication and methods of discipline in order to increase positive relationships with their children.

Family therapy is often implemented to reduce turmoil and conflict while improving communication and interpersonal relationships. When working individually with children, Dr. Fulton uses non-threatening methods such as games, role-plays, drawings and activities to put the child at ease, build rapport and reduce the sense of "being in therapy". These methods of therapy are effective in increasing the child's expression of feelings, resolving emotional problems and creating positive coping strategies. Because a child exists within a complicated system, Dr. Fulton collaborates with teachers, pediatricians and others who come into contact with and influence the child and family.

For more information or to make an appointment for an initial intake, please call Dr. Fulton at 818.591.3000 ext. 111 or fill out the form below.

Contact Dr. Fulton