Marriage Counseling Therapists in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, CA

Hello! I'm Libby, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in couples and individual work. With a background in law and corporate America, I bring a unique perspective to my practice. I have extensive training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method, two highly effective approaches to helping couples improve their relationships. I am also passionate about women's health and completed training with Postpartum Support International’s Maternal Mental Health Program. In addition, I also work with individuals dealing with chronic pain, helping them find relief from emotional and physical symptoms.

Dr. John Silver says, “If you'd like to know why you do what you do, Modern Psychoanalysis may be for you”. Do you want to deal with the causes of your obstacles to happiness and fulfilment or the effects (symptoms)? Do you have the courage, curiosity and intelligence to look into the corners of your mind? It is where we store our baggage, in our Unconscious. Using Certified Modern Psychoanalysis together we explore your unhealthy behaviors and patterns. Using Existential Analysis we embolden your special unique talents, desires and abilities to find purpose and meaning in your life. Take the journey. Together.

Are relationships supposed to be this hard? When sexual issues keep you from maintaining or obtaining a happy relationship it's time to see a sex therapist. As a sex & relationship specialist, I successfully treat people with issues surrounding sexual desire & performance, sexual trauma, problems with arousal or orgasm, differences in the amount of sex they'd like to have, & sexual pain disorders such as vaginismus. I assist clients in building intimacy by deepening their mutual understanding & compassion (for their often very opposite mate!) and help them stay accountable for taking positive action to improve relationships.

I can help you make sense and meaning of your thoughts and feelings. I'm dedicated to the work of helping you change your emotional life by changing the way you think about your thoughts, feelings and relationships. By deeply listening to your experience of attachment and intimacy problems associated with anxiety or depressive mood disorders or the effects of trauma related to loss or family dysfunction, I can help you feel seen, known, and able to know yourself and others.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship/intimacy issues, infidelity/betrayal, addiction, and alcohol/substance abuse disorders. I am a sex-positive therapist who works with clients of all sexual orientations and gender identities. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which can assist with resolving lingering effects of past traumatic memories. It can also lesson the hold of negativity and limiting beliefs and move you to a much healthier self-concept and higher self-esteem.

I understand that therapy demands your time, money, and energy and I genuinely value your investment. I believe in maximizing your time in therapy and collaborate with you in clarifying and establishing your goals from the beginning in order to utilize every session to get you one step closer to where you want to be in your life. I consider myself an interactive therapist. I engage with my clients by coaching them to align their thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to understand themselves better and move forward to enjoy the changes they wish to see in their lives.

I believe that the better you feel about yourself, the clearer your judgment will be, and the more effectively you'll be able to address your issues. So I work to provide you with a safe, energizing environment. Which means I listen carefully to what you have to say - that's key. I put myself in your place. I reflect back to you what I've seen and heard. And I let you know what I think, so you don't have to guess. I have a Marriage and Family Therapist license, a Ph.D., and two master's degrees.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified eating disorder specialist and clinical supervisor working with adolescents, adults, couples and families since 2010. I have held clinical and management positions, working in the inpatient, residential and outpatient levels of care treating a wide variety of clients.

For many, life plagued with overwhelming thoughts and seemingly uncontrollable feelings can become draining and hopeless. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work with a wide range of populations to increase insight to overcome the “stuck” feeling we can so easily fall into. Whether it is a recent challenge or long-standing difficulties, I will provide a space for you to feel understood and supported. My approach to therapy is often laidback and welcoming of humor. My goal is to incorporate as much "realness" as possible so that our work feels meaningful and progress feels attainable.

My therapy practice is a humanistic and wholistic approach. I offer a relational space for individuals and couples to risk being vulnerable with me, t themself, and with each other. Together we learn how past and present experiences influences thoughts, feelings and actions. We actively and sensitively identify and process patterns which are embedded in childhood or other relational experiences in order for something different to happen. Therapy is a great way to receive feedback, gain awareness and practice different ways of being. In session work is growth you take with you as you live everyday which feels good and is authentic.

I provide supportive, creative and caring Psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults - couples, families, individuals. STUDIO ART EXPERIENCE for individuals and groups takes place in my Venice Studio. I offer many comfortable treatment modalities for my patients besides traditional talk or play therapy in my office setting. Additionally, I have FOOD FOR THOUGHT cooking therapy groups in my "greenhouse kitchen", and use Animal Assisted Therapy with my Pet Partner Therapy Dogs in my office. My devoted practice and practical guidance are in a warm office setting with a "family therapy" kitchen, play therapy room and AAT dogs.

It can be hard growing up in Los Angeles and dealing with the intense pressure of school, family and friends. It's also hard trying to be an adult, working to establish one's self and feel comfortable in saying, "This is who I am, this is who I want to be." We all come through this process with different stories, experiences and perspective. I love to work with families and individuals on this journey. I have over ten years of experience working with families during their deepest moments of pain and confusion, joy and growth. These years of work with a diverse set of people and needs helps to inform my interactions with clients.

Let's find the life you were meant to live. If you are struggling with relationship issues, self-esteem, feeling out of control and dealing with anxiety, I am here to help you feel grounded, safe and to give you the support and even the coaching you need to find your potential. Let's challenge existing patterns that are no longer working for you. We can work together to identify and explore new ways to increase your self-awareness, confidence, and personal empowerment. If you have spiritual questions and yearnings, I can help you find your unique path in integrating authentic spirituality into your life.

"At any given moment you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end." If you're looking for relief from addiction, co-dependency, anxiety or depression, let me help you on your journey to freedom. With more than 20 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in the treatment of individuals, couples and families to assist with relationship issues, post traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss, trauma and substance abuse. I provide a safe and nurturing environment that ensures the provision of high quality, personalized therapeutic care.

I work collaboratively, my style is active and engaged with the intention of creating a safe environment to empower understanding, growth, and healing. I guide my clients by helping them modify their lives according to their needs and lifestyle.

I am an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist who values authenticity, balance, and connection. My therapeutic approach is warm, compassionate, and sensible while providing a safe, inclusive, client-centered, and collaborative environment for clients to explore, grow, and communicate. I support clients in exploring their behavior, thoughts, and emotions, in an effort to live a life that honors their core values and most authentic, genuine selves. I believe there is no "one size fits all” approach to therapy and meeting clients where they are at in their process.

Congratulations... By reading this, it is the first step to a new beginning. Change begins with awareness and the recognition that one needs help. The hardest part is picking up the phone and making an appointment. The rest will gradually fall into place with a little hard work and determination. We are experiencing a time of uncertainty and fear due to the Coronavirus outbreak. If you are experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, trauma/PTSD, and martial issues please feel free to reach out to make an appointment. I am offering Telehealth therapy via phone or video conferencing.

Career Counseling, Depression/Anxiety are primary specializations. I believe the client is his/her own best therapist and already possesses the necessary wisdom for healing to begin. I can facilitate this process by providing a safe, non-intrusive, supportive environment. I prefer to acknowledge, build and reinforce the client's strengths rather than focus on old negative beliefs. 25+ years experience.