Tristen Winston, M.A., Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Supervisor at Altus Treatment in Aliso Viejo, California. Dr. Winston is an important asset at Altus Treatment, combining her extensive clinical background with a sincere servant’s heart.
Dr. Winston earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, her Master of Psychology from the University of the Rockies, and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Using a humanistic and client-centered approach, Dr. Winston provides each and every client with a warm, non-judgmental personal connection. She believes in meeting the client where they’re at, being fully present for them and maintaining a safe and supportive therapeutic environment conducive to healing.
Dr. Winston decided on a career in psychotherapy because it dovetailed with her desire to help and serve others and make a positive difference in people’s lives. Her desire to bring hope, light and healing to her clients at Altus is what drives her on a daily basis.
Dr. Winston has extensive experience working with dual diagnosis patients. This provides her with a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, understanding that often a co-occurring mental health disorder accompanies the substance use disorder.
Dr. Winston’s preferred clinical treatment modalities include a humanistic and evidence-based perspective and combine various aspects of treatment. She utilizes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, two powerful and proven approaches for helping clients change impulsive responses to destructive thought patterns, replacing them with healthy responses and behaviors.
In addition to psychotherapy, Dr. Winston utilizes medication management strategies and is an ardent supporter of anti-craving medications that help stabilize patients in early recovery. These medications reduce relapse rates and reinforce a client’s newfound sobriety. Dr. Winston cites EEG biofeedback, or neurofeedback, as another adjunct therapy that has shown much promise in addiction treatment, as it helps teach the patient how to regulate their brainwave frequencies in positive ways.
Dr. Winston works as an adjunct professor and a research assistant for the City of Hope, where her research has been published. Dr. Winston is dedicated to giving back to the community and often volunteers with such organizations as The Soldiers Project, where she donates clinical treatment services to members of the military and their families. In her free time she can be found enjoying her family, friends and her dog, Spirit.