Therapists in Westwood, Los Angeles, CA

In my opinion, any successful therapy relationship must first begin with an atmosphere of safety, trust, and mutual understanding of the challenges that lay ahead. Using this as a starting point, I view therapy as an opportunity for my clients to safely explore the self, which involves taking a closer, more intimate look at how one's experience of self impacts and is impacted by the world in which one lives. Ideally, this process involves the development of insight into how one experiences blocks or challenges in the world outside our selves – in relationships, work, academics, or creative pursuits.

Offering feedback, another perspective, and/or coping skills can be very helpful. On the other hand, sometimes people just need a listening ear. Over the past 11 years, I have been fortunate enough to develop a strong skill set to not only meet clients where they are in their healing process, but also be that listening ear, voice of reason and give clinical insight when needed. Sometimes life gets tough. Sometimes we as people experience events that just seem impossible to overcome. Sometimes we just don’t feel like ourselves.

As a clinical psychologist, my work centers on providing clients struggling with life stressors and mental health symptoms culturally-responsive, scientifically sound treatment focused on improving coping, skills and promoting positive change. I create a warm, supportive, judgement-free environment in which patients can feel safe and thrive. Using clinically proven techniques grounded in science, my clients and I work as a collaborative team to build the cognitive and behavioral skills they need to flourish.

I help adults who experience feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, or defeat from the pressures of work-life, family, relationships, self-criticism, addiction, and other co-occurring disorders. I offer support to the experiences unique to the LGBTQIA+ community. Part of my practice is also devoted to creating a safe space and validating the often-discounted struggles of ethical vegans, animal advocates, and people who are grieving the loss of their animal family members. I will work with you to build and apply safe coping skills to assist in breaking through your obstacles and challenges, despite your circumstances.

Recovery, whether it's from substances or other destructive behavior, is all about change and healing. It isn't easy. If you're willing to work, it will occur. It takes willingness, strength and courage to complete the process. I've worked in addictions recovery for 18 years and my personal recovery process for 23 Yes, it's difficult. The challenge is to not let fear stop you from whatever change you are striving for. Remember: "It doesn't take courage to do something you're not afraid of. It takes courage to be afraid and to do it anyway."

I like to work collaboratively with clients to turn towards the things that are meaningful and important for healing, growth and integration. I strive to always work in a compassionate, supportive, humble and respectful way to help identify the places that you feel stuck and work together to help alleviate those stuck places. Interwoven into this process, I often work with mindfulness, as I believe it is the key to change. It helps us to become more deeply aware of our feelings, needs, impulses and patterns, in order to bring about wanted change and can also help to regulate our nervous system, often leading to calmer states of mind

Life can present many challenges. Most of the time, we can successfully handle the trials and tribulations of daily living; but occasionally we get overwhelmed. To help cope and feel much better, we consult a professional who sorts and sheds light on the elements that caused these challenges. In the process, we talk about how we feel and why we feel the way we do. Most importantly, we learn to successfully handle the initiating emotional triggers in a way such that the resultant problems no longer arise. My Los Angeles therapy practice is dediated to being that caring professional.

I treat clients from a trauma informed perspective. If it is addiction issues (substance or process) anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, so much of what informs these maladies is developmental or relational trauma. Big T or shock trauma can bring on many underlying issues that have been dormant. I work with clients to carefully assess their history and treatment goals. I use CBT, Psychodynamics, EMDR and other trauma treatment modalities to effectively resolve the inner disturbance.

It seems like nothing you say gets through to them anymore. When the one you care most about doesn't seem to listen, it's frightening and isolating. Sometimes just talking to an objective person helps you find a way to live a better life, resolve problems, and make better decisions. Suffering originates from not knowing what to do with life’s challenges. Every person needs guidance to leave behind the confusion of the current situation to breakthrough to a future clarity. It's not too late to learn the skills that can get you off to a fresh start. It's time to break those unproductive patterns and replace them with healthier ones.

Our past presents itself in the present moment. Whether it is anxiety, panic, pain, addictions, trauma, loss or grief - we explore together what gets in the way of living a life worth living. I integrate Somatic Experiencing, NARM, EMDR, Voice Dialogue, and mindfulness practices into a multidimensional approach to discover how to help you realize a satisfying life, the life you want to live.

I believe that people's emotions and behaviors are influenced by their perceptions and interpretation of events. I utilize a strengths-based approach that primarily incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a combination of Mindfulness and Solution Focused. We will work collaboratively in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment in order for you to explore and learn effective strategies you can use now and for the rest of your life.

With 40 years of experience using psychodynamic methods of treatment, I will explore conflicts, struggles / anxieties with you that get in the way of having more lasting and satisfying relationships. An essential goal of my psychotherapy sessions is to increase your self-awareness. By becoming more self aware, you will be able to actively identify and change the problematic patterns of thought, emotion and behavior that have interfered with living a more fulfilling life. Throughout our sessions together, we will work to improve the quality and satisfaction of your relationships and work life, achieving lasting, meaningful change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience, both in private practice and as the Senior Vice President at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services. My approach is supportive, collaborative, nonjudgmental, empathic, and strength based. I believe that it can be helpful to examine past family of origin issues to gain an understanding of the dynamics of your current relationships while also focusing on the present and reducing current symptoms. My goal is to help you feel better and fulfilled in your life.

I started my therapy journey with children in 2014. Working with children and their parents was challenging and I loved it. My journey with children ended after 4 years after I decided to try adult therapy. I started working with adults in 2017 in a hospital on weekends and later in 2018 full time. Throughout my whole career I've used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which has proven to be the most effective in meeting treatment goals. It's been about 8 years now and I primarily work with adults.

In my high school psychology class, I learned there is an entire language that describes my experience-the sometimes conflicting experiences of living between two different worlds. I became passionate about finding ways to address the experience of people whose hurts are often invisible. I was saddened by my observation that too many people feel stigmatized and alone with their inner turmoil and wanted to find a way to make the heart, mind and body whole. My dream is that therapy becomes accessible to everyone and viewed merely as another source of support.

I provide an honest and empathetic approach to treatment. I will work with you to help you understand how you function internally and externally. I value clients reclaiming power over their bodies and lives. I can assist you in building a greater capacity for self-awareness and regulation.

Day-to-day stressors, relationships, money problems, and even social media can provoke anxiety, negatively impact self-esteem and diminish a sense of well-being. In this day and age, most of us would benefit from having at least one non-judgmental person around who can provide solid guidance in helping us work through troublesome thoughts and feelings. "Be yourself," I always say. I'm here to provide a supportive environment that will foster growth and positive change. I provide culturally sensitive, individual therapy using evidence-based practices, including the application of a psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approach.

The goal of therapy is to nurture the necessary skills that a patient can utilize to overcome any psychological concern and thrive.

I work to empower my clients when they having difficulty so they can move on to achieve their goals. From the safe and confidential setting of my office, I work in a positive and supportive way with each client to assist him/her in gaining insights into challenging issues. In addition to helping clients decrease depression, anxiety, and stress, I enjoy helping couples with relationship issues, providing mindfulness skills, enhancing creativity, and assisting clients in coping with trauma/PTSD. I have experience with clients with bipolar issues, addictions, and abuse.