Marriage and Family Therapy Audrey A. Malena M.S.
LMFT, LPC, LMHP
Marriage and Family Therapy
Individuals, Couples, Children & Families
Illness, Grief, Loss, Spirituality
10838 Old Mill Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
Phone 402 330 4499
Fax 402 330 4103
My interest in families began with my Bachelor degree in Human Development and the Family which I received at the University of Nebraska in l971. I received my Master's Degree in Human Development and the Family from the University of Nebraska in l987 with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been in private practice in Omaha for more than fifteen years. I did Internships at Operation Bridge and The Hudson Center in Omaha. I am a Nebraska Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Nebraska Licensed Professional Counselor and a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist I am trained in psychotherapy and family systems. I feel very strongly that individuals and their problems are best seen in the context of their family. I focus on understanding my clients' symptoms and I look at the interaction patterns with family and friends that may be part of the problem. I take into consideration stages of development, roles, goals, and beliefs. I work with the individual, child, adolescent, couple, and family to change the interaction patterns so that the problem is solved.
I often help individuals with behavior change, and mental or emotional disorders, or relationship problems. I use hypnosis as indicated for a variety of issues, such as pain relief and relaxation. I am trained in EMDR which is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This technique is very helpful in dealing with trauma, such as abuse, assault, an accident, or a natural disaster. These events can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR has also been used to help with issues such as anxiety and panic problems, reactions to physical illness, and grief issues.
I have been active in my professional organizations. I serve as Secretary of the Nebraska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and I have served as Liaison to the Association of Private Practice Therapists. My practice is fully compliant with federal HIPAA regulations.
My specialties are marriage and family therapy, illness, grief and bereavement, and spirituality. I also work with issues of premarital counseling, divorce issues, depression, anxiety, dental anxiety, eating disorders, stress management, women's issues, trauma, school/work issues, anger management, career issues, blended/stepfamily issues, gay/lesbian issues, adoption issues, self-esteem, parenting, phobias, genetic disorders, and issues of the aged.
My spouse and I live in Elkhorn. Our daughter, Sarah, is a Ph.D. candidate at UCSD in California. Personal experience has been a factor in my work in the areas of illness, grief and bereavement. Our oldest daughter, Rachel, died at age twenty-three of complications following a bone marrow transplant. I currently serve on the Steering Committee of the Omaha Grief Support Network. In the past I have served as Professional Advisor on the Steering Committee for the Greater Omaha Chapter of the Compassionate Friends. This is a support group for families that have experienced the death of a child.
I have been interested in spirituality since I emphasized it in my graduate work. I enjoy leading workshops and seminars on the use of the labyrinth for meditation and its use in illness, healing, and grief.
To learn more about the use of the
labyrinth
for meditation and healing
The Greater Omaha Chapter of
The Compassionate Friends