Therapists in 90404

I have a doctorate in clinical psychology from Purdue University, and most recently spent a number of years as the Clinical Director at the UCLA Counseling Center. I have worked in VA and Community Mental Health settings, and received additional extended training at the UCLA Human Sexuality Program. I come across as warm, down to earth, and easy to trust and talk to. I offer confidential, professional services to adults and couples in a relaxed Santa Monica setting, where I have an integrative approach (using insight-oriented, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and other orientations) tailored to your needs and concerns.

Laressa Desmond,PhD, LMFT, Nothing hurts like constantly stumbling over the same old communication problems with your partner, when all you really want to do is be close. It’s hard to concentrate or have a lightness to the day when relationship struggles drag you down. We fall in love with people who are different enough from us to create a spark. It’s that “completion feeling” of interest & fascination. We feel sad & confused when the spark burns instead of warming us. It’s a baffling betrayal to our emotional logic that we can deeply love someone that we frequently fight with & sometimes emotionally dread.

I love working with children, adolescents and young women who have "behavioral problems," "worry too much," have "big emotions," or struggle socially. My clients typically experience more of the world and feel the world more deeply than others. While this can be scary and lead to challenging behaviors, over time, a big heart is a super-power. Parents who come to my office often wonder: a) "will this help?" b) "will you understand my child?" and "c) if you understand my kid, will you then judge me?" My answers are a) "yes. It can even be fun" b) "that's my main goal" c) "never."

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing psychotherapy for adults and couples throughout California. Resolving and processing trauma by utilizing EMDR, recognizing and changing communication patterns, addressing and supporting addiction and recovery, relationship struggles and learning how to emotionally regulate in a more productive and healthy way are my clinical strengths.

Evolution can be messy, as healing and growth are non-linear processes. Micky takes an integrative approach to therapy using mindfulness as the cornerstone, in order to support her clients on their journey. Micky uses a combination of psychodynamic, existential, person-centered and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat a diverse population, including those suffering from anxiety disorders, mood disorders, physical and emotional trauma, bereavement and loss, attachment and intimacy concerns, and chronic illness/pain. She also treats couples utilizing attachment theory and elements of emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT).

Are you feeling stuck, alone or uncertain in where you want to go in your life? Are you suffering from anxiety or depression? You have taken the first step toward improving the quality of your life. I can help you with the next step, which is to develop insight into your thoughts, feelings and behavioral patterns to help you make lasting changes to achieve greater satisfaction in your relationships and in your life.

I meet every day with people who are overcoming worry, depression, dissatisfaction and conflict to find greater joy, and fulfillment in their life. My specialties include working with depression/anxiety, OCD/ADD, personality disorders, and addiction. I also have expertise in working with the LGBTQQI community. My approach to psychotherapy is practical and interactive, providing the support and insight to help you resolve current issues and historical patterns. Through empathy and direct communication, I assist you in finding the solutions to life's adversities, challenges, and mental health.

Collectively, we have been experiencing formidable hardships. Without a doubt, they add weight to the stressors we already carry and the uneasiness we already feel. Perhaps the time has come to seek support and work toward positive change.

Everything is temporary: anxiety, heartbreak, loneliness, feelings, boredom, sadness, frustration, anger, emotions. Through the process of psychotherapy you will learn that your experiences, feelings, and behaviors can be understood instead of avoided or judged, allowing for the eventual acceptance of whatever may emerge. Together we will collaborate on building from your existing strengths in order to help you forge a clearer, manageable, productive, fuller and compassion-based life experience.

"YOUR VISION WILL BECOME CLEAR WHEN YOU LOOK INTO YOUR HEART. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens." Carl Jung. As a therapist, I am here to support each individual define his or her vision and life's purpose. When one feels stuck, sometimes the idea of change or transition can seem overwhelming. Issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship distress, loneliness and low-self esteem can be an indicator that a shift is imminent. I am here to provide gentle guidance, by providing a safe, warm and compassionate space to explore these issues.

——I am currently accepting video clients throughout California——Good therapy is a conversation that evokes our unique desires, emotions, and challenges. Through this open-ended exploration, in which everything, everything is fair game, we learn more about ourselves and discover the courage to act on it.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the states of CA, FL and NY and a certified Trauma therapist. I work primarily with individuals struggling with anxiety, big and small traumas, addiction, relationship problems, attachment wounds, etc. and couples who want to improve their relationship. It's important to me that you feel very comfortable in our sessions. We are on this journey of your healing together and my style is collaborative and warm. Together, we can work on letting go of past traumas or anything else that's been hurtful to you and your relationship.

Most people grapple with challenges related to self-esteem, self-actualization, emotion (be it awareness, regulation or resilience) and intimate relationships, (be they with a partner, family, friends or business associates). In helping people with these matters throughout my 40-year practice I have found them to be based on attachment trauma, personal and interpersonal conflict, anxiety and whatever set of problematic behaviors have arisen out of attempting to cope with these issues (e.g., rumination, avoidance, food and substance abuse, depression). If you are struggling with any of this lets talk. We may be well-suited to work together.

At NHG, we specialize in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and treatment of children and adults and provide both clinical and forensic services. We provide evidence-based assessments, drawing upon the latest discoveries in neuroscience, psychological theories, and educational research to create an effective and individually tailored treatment plan.

Being a kid is today’s world can be tough and helping your little one navigate through the struggles and hardships as a parent, can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. As a licensed professional therapist with over 7 years of private practice experience, I specialize in child and adolescent behaviors, parenting skills, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I have a passion for helping children and parents realize their full potential by educating and working with them on issues that may be holding them back.

I work with individuals and couples on a variety of relationship and interpersonal issues. I believe that each of has the innate desire and ability to lead satisfying and fulfilling lives. We are often stuck in old patterns of behavior and relating. Working together we can explore those patterns and how to move beyond them. There are times in our lives when feelings of isolation, depression, loneliness pervade. It is helpful to have a trained professional to discuss these feelings with.

Life can be tough, especially recently, but how you handle challenge shows strength and courage. How are you coping and managing relationships during these times? Maybe you are feeling stuck or hopeless, worried or isolated. Are you or a loved one struggling to deal with these changes? Therapy can help you address these issues and strengthen yourself and your relationships in the process. I believe in human resiliency and welcome you to see how this process can help you work towards more fulfillment, joy, and hope for you, your child, or loved one.

At times may experience challenging emotional situations. When these situations arise we can benefit from the support of a person outside of our inner circle of family and friends. Whether you are struggling or you are watching your child struggle, it can take a toll on all aspects of your lives. Everyone can benefit from working with a therapist and feeling heard. No problem is too minor, common, severe, or unusual to be explored and healed.