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Meet Todd Creager of Todd Creager Center for Successful Relationships in Huntington Beach

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Creager.

Todd, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I had what seemed like the perfect life but in college, I got injured and in the ER, the nurse seemed to panic because my blood pressure was so high. The injury that I healed from became less important to me but I became very anxious about death and also felt like there was something wrong with me because someone so young “shouldn’t” have this problem. To make a long story shorter, I got into therapy and was fascinated with how little I knew myself and how negative beliefs were running my behavior and affecting my physical wellbeing. I learned how much fear of not being good enough was keeping me tense and holding me back from more fully enjoying my life. I became more comfortable in my own skin and had more fun in relationships and life overall. My blood pressure even went down to normal and still is all these decades later. This metamorphosis led to me to change my direction from biology and the sciences to psychology and mental health. I went to graduate school and got my Masters in Social Work from USC, got my licenses and started a private practice. I got married in 1984 and by 1988 had a decent private practice with many couples coming to my office. It was at that time that I decided to “specialize” with couples. I did extensive training and then became one of those professionals training other professionals in couples work.

My practice grew. In 1991-1992, I went to a post graduate intensive program through the UCLA School of Medicine in Human Sexuality and ultimately developed a specialty in helping individuals and couples who were experiencing low sexual desire. However, I always wanted more and felt I could make a bigger impact. I began speaking a lot and also parlayed my skills into business consulting. In 2007, I decided to write a book about what I know best- long-term relationships and passion. I titled it “The Long Hot Marriage.” From there and with the help of a publicist and a media coach, I got on radio and TV shows promoting the information in my book as well as my book itself. I got on such shows as Playboy Radio, Fox Morning News in San Diego, KCAL 9 News in LA and was a therapist in Oprah Winfrey’s show “Unfaithful,” helping a couple heal from infidelity. From that experience, I developed a second specialty helping couples heal from infidelity. Since then, I have come out with another bestselling book titled- “Love, Sex and Karaoke- 52 Ways to Ignite Your Love Life'” as well as an eBook called “The Little Black Book of Infidelity.” I also have a brand new video and workbook self help program called “The Infidelity Cure.” I continue to love helping individuals and couples have better relationships and lives via my private practice, live speaking and online webinars. In 2011, I became a professor for my alma mater- the USC School of Social Work, and still teach 2 classes a semester up to the present time in addition to the other things I do. Currently I teach a class on Human Sexuality as well as a class on Mental Health Theory and Neurobiology. I have 2 daughters, one who is 24 having a dancing career in LA after graduating from UCLA and the other is 21 and a senior at UCLA. My wife and I are happy empty nesters who just celebrated our 33rd anniversary together.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. My practice went up and down. We decided to have my wife be a stay at home mother with 2 little children and I had the role of financial provider. At times, there was little money in the bank. My wife could have gone back to teaching but we really wanted to have her at home with the children. I persevered and took some chances, invested money in mentors and coaches that would help me up-level my career. Sometimes my wife would think I am a dreamer and I would say I am; but believed that those dreams would come true. Another way of saying this is that my struggles encouraged me to look ahead and see what is possible and be willing to fall on my face. I remember the first time public speaking and how nervous I was. Yet, now I am an excellent speaker and enjoy it immensely. Speaking has been one of the ways I have become more visible and successful. The same goes for my writing which has become more bold and outspoken. My career has not only supplied me with money to live a good life but was also a vehicle for increased confidence and faith in myself.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Todd Creager Center for Successful Relationships – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is all about helping individuals and couples thrive in their lives and relationships. I specialize in helping couples rekindle passion as well as help couples heal through crises such as infidelity. I am known for helping couples heal quickly and not just survive, but thrive. I am also known to be a therapist that does not just listen even though it is a big part of my job. I help couples have experiences in the session that helps them shift to healthier patterns of relating to one another. They also have homework that is essential for their positive change. What I am most proud of are the results of my clients. I have many clients giving me testimonials and thanking me for helping them create the relationship they dreamed of. One other thing does set me apart from some other therapists. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and I am now a certified EMDR therapist. This is an approach that helps individuals process and heal from trauma. These people can overcome their PTSD much more quickly than traditional talk therapy. One way I have used this is to help a person with Low Sexual Desire who has been molested as a child process the sexual trauma and claim their healthy sexuality in their current relationship. Of course, the partner is as happy in these cases as the client. As mentioned before, I am known for my speaking and teaching, inspiring others to be the best they can be in their lives and relationships. One last thing is that I use Zoom and Skype which allows me to help individuals and couples that are not geographically close to my office.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I spent many years in LA. Now I live in the county just south (OC) but definitely feel a part of the LA scene. I go there a lot since my kids have and are going to school in LA and I have family members whom I visit in LA as well. I like more than I don’t like. I will start with the one thing I don’t like- LA traffic. It diminishes quality of life. However, what I like the best are several things- the diversity of people, the variety of communities, the wonderful things to do and the ocean. For example, I have spent multiple days going to LACMA, the Getty Museum, the La Brea Tarpits, the Grove, Malibu, Santa Monica (love the 3rd street Promenade!) and many other places too numerous to mention. Also, there is no shortage of great food and restaurants.

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Image Credit:
Todd Creager with Cheryl Bricker

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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