Transgender Therapists in 90039

People come to my office with a variety of concerns related to relationships, identity, spirituality, career, self-development, or life purpose. Others may be seeking relief from trauma response patterns, anxiety or depression. In a rapidly changing and tumultuous world, people often feel comforted by the presence of a therapist who can provide a safe enough space to understand themselves, resolve conflicts, and live with more coherence and freedom from unfulfilling relational patterns. I listen with an intuitive and compassionate heart and give you tools to navigate through stressful times with greater resiliency and embodiment.

Therapy is different for everyone, which is why my approach is rooted in deep care and curiosity for the unique and ongoing stories we each live out on a daily basis. I believe therapy works best when there is a foundation of respect for the individual processes and perspectives of my clients. Therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and calibrated to the needs of each client. It’s a time to experience the essence of listening, of feeling heard, within the setting of the therapeutic relationship. Therapy is a place to restore trust in oneself, and to learn to witness oneself differently.

I am a clinical social worker providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. My areas of specialty and interest are LGBTQ-identified people, kids and teens, and people struggling with eating disorders. I value critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and humor within the therapeutic relationship. I treat my clients with respect and acknowledge that they are the authorities of their own lives. I make an effort to emphasize strengths without invalidating very real feelings or minimizing problems. I collaborate with my clients to develop effective and individualized treatment plans to empower them to make changes in their own lives.

Do you find yourself repeating unhealthy patterns of behavior and spiraling downward? Do you feel lonely? Are you feeling confused and dissatisfied with your life? I am here to help you gain self confidence and explore options to enhance your life. Together we will learn more about you so that you can feel more in charge.

Nothing feels right. Your body, your relationships, your job--they all feel so heavy, so frustrating, and out of your control . You wake up stressed before you even get out of bed. Sometimes you respond with anger, sometimes panic, sometimes you simply withdraw. Maybe you've imagined the way things are supposed to be, and wonder what you're doing wrong, or maybe you feel like circumstances, or other people are blocking you from your ideal life. Or perhaps you are so stressed that you can't even imagine a better life because it seems so unrealistic. What's the point?

Kati Phillips is a certified emotionally-focused therapist with advanced training in sex therapy and LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. She works with adults, adolescents, couples and folks in consensual non-monogamous relationships.

If you find yourself wondering why you're feeling so raw and activated by things you don't think should be hitting so hard, it's worth exploring what's underneath. Often times, "if it's hysterical, it's historical". Over your lifetime, your brain has taken note on how the world works and how to adapt for survival. If you're someone who's impacted by trauma, the body has developed an extensive alarm system to keep you safe and stable. But you might be at the point where the strategies that worked in the past are no longer working and the alarms are too sensitive for your current life. You don't have to live like this anymore.

Have you found yourself exhausted and struggling emotionally as you navigate through today's world? We may find ourselves in challenging and difficult moments that can lead us to feeling overwhelmed, excessively worrying, unable to sleep, feeling lost, alone and confused. In these moments, it may be difficult to reach out for support, and so I welcome you in taking the greatest step in this journey. Speaking in our native language can also offer a level of comfort during counseling sessions. I am fluent in both English and Spanish.

People often reach out to me because they are feeling stuck, either they have not progressed in therapy or they are looking for something more. If you are going through a difficult time, therapy can offer support, help you overcome obstacles and provide guidance to change your life for the better. I believe that within every individual lies the potential to live a happy, full life. I can help you align your actions with your values. I do what I do because I believe that the therapeutic process can bring about greater self-awareness and authentic, lasting change.

I offer warm, socially informed, and collaborative therapeutic care, with an emphasis on treating depression, shame and self-esteem issues, and patterns of relational instability. With clinical training from the Los Angeles LGBT Center and over a decade as a high school and middle school teacher, I have specific experience with the challenges faced by adolescents, young adults, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. But in the end, I’m eager to work with anyone who feels I could be a match for their needs.

If you're feeling misunderstood, stressed out, or just need some additional support, I'm here and would feel honored to help you work through what you're contending with. Together we will figure out what you need, and how to have your needs met. I'm a firm believer that there is no 'one size fits all' approach to therapy and in keeping with that belief, my sessions are uniquely tailored to each individual.

Thanks for checking out my profile. My approach to working with you in therapy would encompass all registers of your experience, including non-verbal communication, the body, and the mind. In my way of working, developing an understanding of where and how feelings are actually felt is as important as understanding cognitive distortions and negative thought patterns. I listen to every which way you communicate. Psychotherapy can be used in myriad ways, short or long-term. Often when distressing symptoms have abated, psychotherapy shifts to become something more deeply self-reflective and meaningful.

In 2023 and beyond, my work ethic continues: Working together, we greet Pain and Suffering and ask "How will you serve my development?" Psychotherapy isn't about finding perfection, but pursuing wholeness and respecting our Self. It's simple. It's complicated. It can be very difficult, and and there are laughter and surprises to be enjoyed. Go for it: tend to your emotional to-do list, relationship overhaul/finesse, deep discovery, gather energy to take your journey to the next level. Mid-life? Starting out on your own? Starting/ending a relationship? Creative and stuck? Uncertain times require what we have— wisdom and creativity.

We all desire belonging and connection, but relationships can be hard! Many of us grow up without role models for the type of intimacy we desire. Whether working individually or with relationships, I hope to work as a guide and collaborator, assisting you in building stronger connections with yourself and those around you. Many of us move through life feeling stuck in roles we’ve been assigned and in stories that we’ve long outgrown. Our work in therapy is to shift your perspective, allowing for a much more nuanced, self-compassionate and true view of who you are and who you’d like to be.

Everyone goes through periods when life is challenging and something isn’t working. If you are here, you've probably decided something needs to change in your life. Whatever you are feeling in this moment - by simply noticing what is happening in your life and deciding that you'd like to see yourself living differently - you have already begun and you’re on your way.

It is true that each psychotherapy has its own life. The unique personal qualities that you and I bring to the table necessarily become interwoven to build a rich, trusting relationship. Together, we will go towards the underlying meaning of your symptoms. I have learned that many "symptoms" are actually inroads to the hidden away, injured, vulnerable parts of self that are waiting for an environment where there are resources for repair, healing, and growth. I am constantly surprised by the human potential to grow and I strive to provide an environment that gives life to the healing process.

Are you creative, a perfectionist, or do you work in a high-stress position? On paper, things look good.  But on the inside, it’s a different story. Many high-achievers and creatives can get lost in survival mode, straying far from our basic requirements and deep desires.  This can be caused by many things including unconscious unmet needs, cultural norms, or old wounds.  Fortunately, there is a safe and gentle way out.  I help people reconnect their minds, bodies, and emotions. Over time, my clients become skilled at trusting others, being proactive, and aligning with an authentic version of themselves.

Managing our emotional world can be tough. My aim is to help you gain a better understanding of how your experiences have impacted the way you approach life and identify areas that need adjustment to reduce stress and increase balance. The safe space I create with my clients is designed to increase openness and authenticity, deepen self-awareness, and turn it into action toward their goals. I approach each client uniquely and help my clients develop coping skills based on their individual needs. Some skills include somatic experiencing to help nervous system regulation, CBT, and mindfulness/meditation techniques.

Our clients are smart, capable people struggling despite their best efforts. They have held themselves together just well enough for years, but then they reach a tipping point and know they need the help of an expert. We help them better understand themselves and how to get what they need out of life. We offer in-person and virtual sessions for individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and ADHD assessments.