Therapists in 90048

My approach to therapy is relational and authentic. While research suggests ‘successful’ therapy is less about the modality than the therapeutic alliance, I offer proven techniques from psychodynamic, CBT, and somatic therapies to help you cultivate what we all wish for--good feelings that last. If your history includes neglect/abuse or other forms of trauma, you may learn ways to calm your nervous system, better tolerate difficult feeling states, and maximize your potential to thrive at work and in healthy relationships.

I grew up in a small steel mill town in Ohio. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in the nascent field of Psycholinguistics. Upon graduation I moved to West Hollywood and became an activist in its inception as the “first gay city in the US”. I’m proud to have been a catalyst for inclusion in a business operation that had been a bastion for exclusivity where I opened doors without regard to race, sexuality, gender identity, or abledness. My Practice reflects that inclusivity. I see primarily Adult Individuals; as well as young adults & teens; ranging in age from 14yo thru + +; and Couples .

A loving relationship, a happy marriage, a home filled with love and trust, is what you will achieve through therapy, If you feel stuck, and you don't have a clue how to achieve a satisfying meaningful relationship with your partner, than I will give you the tools to make your relationship work! I will give you concrete, specific tasks to start the process of change, regardless of your coming with your partner or by yourself. You can achieve amazing results towards that relationship you have always hoped to have, you dont have to do it alone, help is just a phone call away.

Are you struggling with anxiety or depression, recovering from trauma, have concerns over sex and intimacy, dealing with men's issues, or experiencing distress and conflict in your relationship - then I can help.

I am a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. I am also a Doctor of Psychology and full-time counselor at Pepperdine University. I received my postgraduate training at the Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavior Therapy – the pioneer of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I specialize in solution-focused and evidence-based treatment to help you improve your life in the most efficient way. I also utilize attachment theory to address relationship dynamics that tailors to your needs. I am passionate about neurobiology and can provide you with the most advanced tools from medical research.

Is your relationship at an impasse? Are you dealing with issues of trust & infidelity, lack of intimacy, emotional turbulence, communication difficulty, and overall sense anxiety & grief? I offer a safe and welcoming environment for couples and individuals to talk through their emotional experiences, internal turmoil, and conflicts to begin the journey to healing. Through therapy, I help partners of all diverse backgrounds and orientation move from gridlock by learning healthier communication skills, love languages styles, time-outs and self-soothing strategies to foster an environment of growth towards a meaningful relationship.

Here's what I want you to know: You were born ready and able to be happy, and have a satisfying life--that's natures way. And, yet, at any point in life there can be many 'causes & reasons' for life turning in a different direction; and there can be many kinds of 'symptoms & behaviors’ that emerge when things go sideways; and when this occurs, we all can use some support to get back on track. For right now, just know that reaching for support is itself a sign of strength, and is also built into our human nature.

Psychotherapy helps to regulate your feelings, make better choices, and to remove the obstacles to your goals. As a licensed psychotherapist and Professor at Pepperdine and Antioch Universities, I work with individuals, couples, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds dealing with emotional difficulties, relationship problems and various psychological conditions.

I work with people who have a wide range of addiction, trauma and mental health issues. I am passionate about helping people with their relationships- whether individual, couples or families. I have extensive experience in working with loved ones/ parents struggling with an addicted person in their lives and how to best help themselves and their loved ones get the proper help. I have appeared as a regular expert on the Dr. Phil show (and other shows) for the past twenty years helping his guests get the proper treatment they need.

At times, experiencing painful feelings, having difficulty managing stressful or unexpected situations, life transitions, and/or dealing with relationship conflicts, whether romantic or not, may hinder us from feeling happy, capable, and empowered to live our lives to the fullest. During these times, the support and the guidance of a caring professional can make a difference.

Are you feeling totally overwhelmed and anxious in your relationship, work or life right now? Have you been showing up for everyone for so long, all the while feeling like you have been slowly losing parts of yourself in the process? Do you feel like you can no longer cope? You are unsure if therapy is really going to help you move out of this challenging place that can often feel so hopeless and lonely. The stress and uncertainties can leave you feeling frustrated and depleted. You feel disconnected, like you are just going through the motions, not feeling much, and neglecting what you truly need in order to feel alive again.

I specialize in working with individuals, families, and couples affected by substance abuse and co-occuring disorders. The effects of substance abuse and addiction can be devastating to individuals and their loved ones, and my goal is to help you navigate through the confusion and pain in order to establish a more fulfilling life. I have years of experience working with a diverse array of clients in residential treatment settings and bring a wealth of knowledge about the most effective treatment modalities to my private practice.

I hope I can be of help to you. Please call me so we can decide together if I am the right person for you.

Congratulations on taking the FIRST courageous step toward dealing with your PAIN that is no longer working for you; or perhaps you like to grow and learn more about yourself; or you want to achieve HEALING from grief/loss related to major life changes. Painful symptoms related to trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, or relational issues are tough to tackle by yourself. Understanding and dealing with addiction ( that could be generational) and facing feelings of blame shame guilt denial anger, and depression ALL by yourself is hard. By giving a non-judgmental and an empathetic therapist a CHANCE and Therapy time, change IS possible.

In our challenging times, we find ourselves at breaking points. Anxiety, depression, apathy, exhaustion are pushing us to reach out for support and care. I offer a safe space to face these difficulties. I come with a few decades of experience in navigating our humanity as we process and develop skills to bring forth hope, strength, and new meaning. I approach therapy from an existential lens incorporating both depth and somatic practices including brainspotting. I work with individuals, and families. Give me a call so we can move towards better days.

As a family therapist I implement the skills I used as Clinical Director of a teen residential center to change family dynamics. I often get calls from parents who are struggling with their teenage children who are living with symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood disorders & addiction. My approach helps clients understand & shift dysfunctional patterns which hinder connection and closeness. Whether I am working with couples, families or individual clients, my approach aims to bring about improvements in our relationships which in turn helps symptoms such as conflict, depression and anxiety, and to improve creativity & productivity.

Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.