Therapists in Los Angeles, CA

As the Clinical Director of a group practice and sex therapist, I want my patients to feel safe; trust opens the door to healing. I have successfully treated: infidelity, sexual abuse, pelvic pain, sexual compulsions, and erectile struggles. As Rumi said, "The wound is the place the Light enters you." Stress and unfinished emotional work can make us feel stuck or lead to destructive relationship patterns, and sexual acting out. My office is a shame free zone where we can unpack together a course best suited for your individual healing. Sex is a complex as each of us are as individuals. Shame can be in your past; a new life awaits!

For over 25 years, I have eased the suffering of those facing anxiety, depression, trauma, couple, family, work & social relational conflict, impulse control, addictions, spiritual searches, grief & loss, life transitions & career change. I work with individuals, couples & families in West Los Angeles & New York City. I am licensed in CA & NY & Certified in EMDR-II, BrainSpotting-Phase 4 , Trauma Resiliency Training Level 2 and Neuro-Affective Touch. I offer & premarital counseling & wedding services, with a specialty in 12-Step Weddings.. I do not take insurance.

I believe people are innately resilient and adaptive. When we struggle from disconnection, grief, or sudden changes, we may lose touch with our self-compassion and strengths, feeling trapped in a story that no longer serves us. This may manifest as depression, anxiety, reactivity, substance use, or unwanted relational patterns. You don’t need to go through this alone. You can feel supported, understood, and valued in the face of grief, hard feelings and questions. I will bring hope, compassion, options, insight, and curiosity, but ultimately our work together will be collaborative.

I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and substance abuse. I have provided therapy in various settings: public mental health, family agencies, hospitals, school systems, and in private practice. I have worked with a wide range of severity of problems and challenges. These experiences provided me with ways to relate to my clients, regardless of circumstance or background, in a way where they can be heard and understood and provided a treatment that is meaningful to them.

My name is Robin Bates and I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, codependency, depression, anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, & coping with life changes. I have worked with clients from ages 4 to 90 in a variety of settings. Currently, I am focusing on adults who are seeking help for depression, anxiety, self-esteem, spiritual issues, addiction, codependency, grief, and life transitions.

Navigating life's challenges is never easy, but reaching out for help is a brave first step to living a more genuine and fulfilling life. I have expertise in working with individuals struggling with childhood trauma and trauma-related symptoms such as grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational conflict. I believe every client is unique and deserves to be listened to and understood in an empathetic way. I am passionate about creating a safe, kind, collaborative and judgment-free space where clients can attain new insights, experience new feelings, and find a renewed sense of physical and mental well-being.

Do you feel stressed, anxious, depressed, or disconnected? Or lonely and unsupported? Do you need help navigating through life transitions, such as school, career, finding your purpose, divorce, spirituality, or aging? I am here to help you manage your life, as well as help you understand what is causing you to feel stuck. By helping you understand yourself better, your relationships will improve, and you will feel empowered to make positive changes to live a more fulfilling life in a more authentic way.

I believe in a therapeutic partnership which allows for the client to guide treatment. I am trained in and employ several long-term clinical models as well as short-term evidence based practices which offer a variety of opportunities for clients to address all of their needs. My work is grounded in anti-racist and anti-oppressive trauma responsive practices which helps us get to the root of the individual's challenges and symptoms. My approach is supportive, encouraging, and thoughtful as I firmly believe this work is most effective when the individual feels empowered and centered.

I work primarily with adults who are wanting to manage symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma. I will be with you on your path to discovery, recovery, and finding the person you would like to become. I approach therapy with a client-centered approach in order to create a safe, comfortable space for you to share and express yourself, and your vulnerabilities. We will explore healthy ways to process your trauma, regulate difficult emotions, and restore broken relationships. I believe the trust built between Client and Therapist is powerful, and necessary in order to help you through your healing journey.

Wilderness therapy embraces a relational and transpersonal approach to healing and recovery. Relying on the inherent interconnectedness of all living things, interest within this evidenced-based discipline has generated a variety of modalities for serving individuals who seek to uncover a deeper understanding of their own "wild" and genuine spirit. I have found my own personal healing to be intimately connected to spending time in nature, and it is here that I believe that we can all begin to rediscover our intrinsic humanity and let go of those things that distract us from our higher selves.

Fact is, the past often gets in the way of living life to its fullest. Do you feel emotionally drained, empty inside with thoughts of self-loathing? Maybe you are consumed with shame over memories, behaviors or thoughts you cannot seem to control. Loss of sleep and an overall sense of irritability can overwhelm any sense of normalcy. This is not the real you-but how to get out from under it? Breakthroughs happen... when digging deep one needs an experienced hand to shine a light to help.

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.

Our past presents itself in the present moment. I treat my clients, not apply a model or theory on them. 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, PACT, Mindfulness practices and Voice Dialogue into a multidimensional approach to discover how to help you realize a satisfying life, the life you want to live.

My hope as a therapist is to provide a compassionate and relatable environment where I can support clients in developing greater self-awareness, improving relationships and navigating life’s challenges. My process is eclectic and collaborative with a strong foundation in attachment, relational and psychodynamic theories. I am particularly passionate about working with individuals needing support around romantic/intimacy difficulties, grief/loss and supporting folks in recovery and those impacted by another's addiction and/or substance dependence.

Whether your struggle is deeply rooted or a temporary challenge, my role as a therapist is to create a safe space for exploring solutions and finding peace. It is possible to create a life you love with the life you have; let me help you. I also have personal and professional experience with the NPE (non-parent expected, or non paternal event) experience and am extremely comfortable, confident, and empathetic while treating those who have had shocking DNA discoveries. EMAIL IS BEST WAY TO INITIATE COMMUNICATION WITH ME! I am not taking on couples/marriage counseling at this time.

At some point in our lives we may feel lost, overwhelmed, or stuck in repetitive patterns. We could be struggling with waves of anxiety, depression, or the ongoing echoes of traumatic experiences. Alternatively, we might be feeling confused during one of life’s many transitions. In therapy, we start by creating safety in the room and ourselves. We learn to recognize what is happening inside and out. We cultivate feelings of self-acceptance. We get curious about our internal and external experience. We discover self-nurturing techniques in order to survive, repair, heal and thrive. This is the therapeutic experience in my practice.

Whether you have a specific problem in mind or desire a deeper understanding of your life experience, you have the potential for healing and growth within yourself. I am committed to seeing you find relief from your personal or relational difficulties or any concerns you may be having related to sexuality. My aim is to help you feel more settled within yourself, develop more fulfilling and satisfying relationships, and create purpose and meaning in your life. Through our time together, it's my sincere hope you will begin to experience the joy and contentment that you are searching for in your life.

Feeling stuck? Whether you’ve worked with a therapist or two, or have never been to therapy before, if things don’t seem to be going your way, it may be time to do something different. Do you feel seen? Have you felt lost or further isolated by disconnected, generic or rushed sessions? Are you looking for someone to help you gain practical, actionable insight/knowledge/skills to become more self-aligned, grounded, empowered, and consistently supported with sessions tailored to you and your unique journey? Then take THIS opportunity toward positive change! Let this be your time, your season of new beginnings… Give me a call.

Whether you are looking to end an addiction, process complex trauma and shame, or overcome your self-limiting beliefs I am here to help. My extensive experience in the field, as well as my own personal work has led me to the understanding that there is a way out. I treat those with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, grief/loss, children of addict/alcoholics, borderline personality, betrayal trauma, sex/porn addiction, and other issues. Through the therapeutic process I can help you to better understand what you have been through and how to overcome your current struggles to live your fullest, best life.