Attachment-based Therapists in Culver City, CA

Too often it feels like we "should" do something - or feel pressured by thoughts of what others think of us. Carrying these burdens can feel like abandonment, sadness, worry, shame or being generally overwhelmed. My goal is to help stop this cycle by developing a deeper understanding of your own true feelings. Together, we can build your sense of confidence so you can speak your own truth - ultimately, creating the kind of life, career and relationships you want.

We all embark on the journey of life at the same starting point. We all travel down the road before us; trying to carve out a path that will lead us to the kind of life that will bring us joy, peace, and happiness. However, there are times when the path leads us off the course of happiness and fulfillment, and into some dark corners where we become stuck.

Anna Johnson received her master's degree from the University of Southern California (USC) Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work where she received advanced training in mental health. Anna received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Social Work and Psychology from Concordia College. Upon completion of her B.A., Anna worked primarily with government-funded agencies where she gained extensive knowledge in foster care, adoption, and the family court system.

Work is going really well. You love your co-workers and the work is challenging and rewarding. But secretly, you might feel embarrassed or anxious during the workday, because it’s harder than you thought taking on new responsibilities. Not because you can’t do them; you can, and you can do them well. But you don’t want to make people uncomfortable. You want to be the kind of boss that’s approachable and a good listener. You’ve had that boss who’s unavailable or distant, or perhaps even dead set on squelching the good ideas of the people they manage. You get anxious or or inhibited because you don’t want to be that kind of boss.

Are you feeling lost or directionless? Did something happen to you that has turned your world upside down? Perhaps you're struggling with understanding yourself and what you want in life. A better life starts with a better understanding of yourself, and creating a stronger connection with our past, present, and future selves. Together, we can work to mend your wounds and address those uncomfortable emotions of pain, disappointment, anger, fear, and sadness. Together we will work through despair and towards hope.

Continued growth and wellness are issues central to quality living and happiness. Furthermore, potential actualization and wellness, to a large degree, are functions of the individual's ability to effectively deal with stress and stressors. These are the areas of human development training that Dr. Johnson has been involved with for many years. He is fully committed to supporting you to not only facilitate your healing but to help you create happiness in your life.

We all have hard times and moments of loneliness, but a good support system helps us be resilient. We all deserve support and care as we work through things, but reaching out to friends and loved ones can be scary. If you're having trouble finding or keeping support and intimacy, or if you feel consumed by fears and low self-esteem, then it can be hard to get the connection and love you deserve. As a marriage and family therapist, I can help. I focus on helping my clients create close, supportive relationships with their loved ones, (and with themselves) so that they have the support they need to overcome challenges and flourish.

I believe everyone is capable of change, no matter how stuck or lost. I work with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, self-esteem, teen issues, and maternal mental health (complete list below). I strive to cater my therapy to the unique needs and challenges of each client. In doing so, I work to explore what lies beneath the issues holding clients back and begin to make way for more happiness and self-esteem in their daily lives.

I became a psychotherapist because everyone needs “that person” in their life who will always believe in them, support them, and not judge them based on their past. As we all continue to navigate life’s transitions and changes, there are points where we find ourselves needing extra guidance and support. Whether you are currently thriving or struggling in life, deciding to seek therapy can be a challenging, rewarding, and life-changing experience. As a therapist, I strive to be “that person” by providing a non-judgmental, warm, and compassionate environment that fosters growth.

You might be going through a difficult life transition, experiencing relationship problems, or feeling overwhelmed and unable manage your stress. Therapy is a wonderful opportunity to work with someone who will provide you with the support and tools you need to create change, feeling more insightful, aware, and grounded. I have extensive experience helping individuals and couples work on finding/maintaining healthy, satisfying relationships. I aid my clients in recognizing the way their past experiences, neurology, and relationships shape the way they see themselves, affect their emotional well-being, and how they relate to others.

I am a licensed psychotherapist with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from USC. I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults in various settings, and I specialize in treating mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and women’s issues. I employ an integrative approach that utilizes psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based techniques, creating a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere for you to work towards the changes that are meaningful for you.

My clients usually approach me when they are ready to make a change in their lives. They are experiencing conflicts, inside themselves or with others, and are looking for an empathic, flexible and dynamic clinician to provide support and guidance. Hello, I am Shannon Pole, a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist in private practice (virtual/telehealth therapy) at KCW Psychological Services. I am focused on helping individuals with anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships (family, platonic, romantic), work-life/school-life balance, and life transitions.

We all have the capacity for healing through self-discovery, self-awareness, and community building. I guide clients on a journey to authenticity in creative works and expression, fostering relationships with their "parts" and others, and exploring compassion and empathy for parts that are out of alignment with "self energy." With a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, I create a safe, collaborative space to explore the inner self. As a warm, intuitive therapist, I'm here to witness your transformative journey.

Being a human is hard sometimes, and when you're in the middle of the struggle it can feel like no one gets it. If this sounds familiar, I'd love to walk side-by-side with you...not to "fix" you because you were never broken, but to remind you that there are no official rules to navigating life. The rules you've learned to follow are made up but they've kept you stuck and focused on what you feel things "should" look like for too long. Let's work together to uncover the things that matter most to you instead of all the ways you've been told you're doing life "wrong." You deserve better and the world needs you as your authentic self.

Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, a life transition, family/parenting concerns, or other mental health issues, we are all trying to better understand ourselves and break free of our limiting patterns and beliefs. My approach to therapy involves a strong foundation in formal therapeutic modalities, including CBT, DBT, family systems, and others, while at the same time recognizing that you are the expert of your own life, and it is through the therapeutic process that you will come to gain valuable insights, recognize your potential, and enhance your capacity for self-love.

Heal the past. Be present. Have a future. You are not broken -- you already have the tools you need. My goal is to help you access those tools and remove any obstacles that prevent you from feeling like yourself. Whether you're struggling with old wounds or need support for current life challenges, we'll work together to build on your strengths -- and uncover ones you may not yet know you have.

I believe in the power of human connection and the positive impact of seeing the world through the lens of another as well as the importance of feeling heard, understood, and seen. I feel grateful to be able to connect with others while helping to guide them to the best version of themselves, whatever that may look like. I understand how challenging it can be to reach out for support and to begin the process of therapy, so I strive to meet you where you are and maintain a safe and comfortable environment throughout our time together. I look forward to getting to know each other and working together in order to reach your goals.

I think parents are very important. Most parents raise their children the best way they can. Sometimes the best way your parent or parents raised you did not match your needs or your emotional personality. I believe each person is able to identify their needs when properly supported. My main focus when working with clients is to develop an understanding of their main strengths as well as areas that were not supported by their parents' parenting style. Our work together will focus on improving your overall understanding of your potentialities and will support your efforts at achieving them.

When you are in a relationship with a narcissist, you don't know what's real anymore. Somewhere along the way you have gotten lost in the cycle of toxicity and you are unsure of how to get out. You feel powerless and you try to explain to others what's going on, but they don't understand. You have a hard time explaining the manipulation, gaslighting, love bombing, and trauma bonding. You have a hard time hiding how you really feel behind your smile. You have lost yourself in your relationship, and what's worse - you don't feel happy or connected to anyone. You long for a safe place to unload your heavy burdens.