Humanistic Therapists in Manhattan Beach, CA

I believe that everyone has present inside of them the ability to significantly improve their life. My goal is to help empower you to believe in yourself and teach you to implement the tools necessary to achieve your goals. While we can't change the past, we can work to understand and resolve current challenges. We will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions, and replace them with healthy cognitive and behavioral skills which emphasize strength and resiliency. This will enable you to move forward in a positive manner, thus improving your overall sense of self, relationships, and satisfaction in life.

Let's face it, life is not always easy, and can often feel more challenging when we go through our struggles alone. As with many new endeavors, taking the first step can be the hardest part, so I commend you on your willingness and courage to seek support. People come to therapy for many reasons, and often it is because they are seeking relief from a life challenge that is hindering their ability to feel more joy, confidence, connectedness, and inner peace.

I believe therapy is one of the best, life-altering, and transformational things you can do for yourself. It’s not always just about “fixing” something, but also about self-development and self-actualization. Life is a school of lessons. It has its ups and downs. I want to support you through it all and see you get those “A-ha” moments! Whether it’s changing negative thoughts or behaviors, creating healthier habits, setting new goals, loving yourself more, managing stress, building coping skills & problem solving, improving your relationships, or creating balance in your life, I’m here to help with your growth and change.

You've found an ally and someone who specializes in providing LGBTQ affirmative treatment to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-binary, questioning or queer. I also love supporting parents and partners who are struggling after learning their loved one's sexual or gender identity is something other than what they believed. You don't have to do this alone. Whether working individually, with a couple or a family, I focus on establishing a safe environment so we can build a trusting relationship enabling you to learn new ways to live with more authenticity and joy.

I consider it a privilege to do the work I do—in fact, helping others heal, grow, and thrive every day brings great meaning to my life. I know from personal experience how life can sometimes feel unbearable. I also know from personal experience what it is like to work closely with a gifted psychologist to create a new perspective and a new life that are even better than before. I am passionate about providing the highest-quality mental health services to each of my clients and would love the opportunity to support you through this time.

My specialties include couples counseling, alcohol,drug,sex and love addiction, eating disorders, relationship issues,depression, sexual abuse, and spiritual issues. I am extremely skilled at helping clients who have very difficult people in their lives ( partners/ ex-partners, bosses etc with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders). I have 30 years of experience working with both adults and teens I genuinely LOVE what I do.I accept all PPO Insurance Plans and do the insurance billing on line for you.

My personal style is down to earth, honest, creative and compassionate. I value authenticity in our work together and offer an appreciation for your spirituality. Therapy with me is a relaxed, safe environment where you can address your concerns and struggles. We work collaboratively in a meaning centered way in order to help you explore the obstacles that keep you from feeling more engaged, connected, curious and content. You will gain a stronger connection to yourself, a greater sense of aliveness and well-being, increased creativity and discover what it means to live authentically.

I am passionate about helping clients raise their level of self-awareness and transform themselves and their relationships into the level they have always wanted. Whether anxiety, depression, past traumas or failed relationships are currently making you or your relationships feel stuck, I am dedicated to helping you discover new ways of challenging old patterns of thoughts and behaviors. You can create a renewed sense of empowerment and increase your overall sense of well-being.

I enjoyed very much my post licensure work at a family institute. Whether working with a child, an adolescent, an adult, a dyad or the whole family, I will initially focus on the person suffering the most. Based on the presenting symptom, I may do brief crisis intervention to stabilize a situation until an individual's underlying issue has been crystallized. The life issue causing depression, anxiety, and fears will then be addressed in more depth. My approach is to assist people in their own healing, maximizing on their own strengths and resources.

Learning to manage and reduce symptoms may be the first step in enhancing your quality of life as day to day demands can lead to stress, anxiety, interpersonal and relational issues to maladaptive behaviors and more. As a wellness advocate, I understand both the challenges and opportunities of taking the first step to mitigate the effects of emotional distress. I take a holistic and objective approach grounded in mindfulness partnering closely with you to enhance therapeutic outcomes by tailoring interventions to your individual needs.

You have been living through a stressful and exhausting time. A global pandemic is constantly changing your relationships and the way you live your life. You have also been exposed to an unprecedented amount of collective trauma both within your communities, and on a larger global scale. You're finding it harder to get a good night's rest, and you struggle to find meaning in a world that seems overwhelmingly painful to exist in. You want things to be different, but you don't know how.

If you're navigating the unique challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period or the parenting and family stages thereafter, I am here to support you. Deeply knowing the joys and struggles that come with parenthood, I know it is a big, important, life changing role. One that I know you want to show up to with as much wholeness, love and emotional health as possible. And sometimes challenges point you to where you need support so that you can into step into that next level of emotional health you know will serve you and your family.

I believe my role as a therapist is to partner with you in order to help you to connect with your own innate strength. It is not uncommon to have feelings of anxiety or depression given the many challenges of life. Perhaps you are moving through the grief of losing a loved one or relationship. I am here to help you find your way through the confusion and pain. I have been honored to work with people during the most painful of circumstances. In my work with families during the challenge of end of life issues, I am able to offer support as they journey toward a new way of experiencing their loss.

If your child or teen is struggling and you're not sure how to help them, having a safe place to explore with a trained professional can help you both. Sometimes when you're in the middle of everything, it's hard to really see. You have such intimate, valuable observations as a parent, but adding that to the objective, experience informed information from a professional can bring the big picture together and organize everything so there's a clear path forward.

Are you struggling with life's curve balls, which are negatively impacting your moods, motivation, stress level, which then affect your relationships, work, school, dreams and goals? As I join you on your therapeutic journey, I will help you navigate life's curve balls and challenging times through "connecting your life dots" (past, present and future) and by learning healthy coping skills and strategies to apply. My biggest goal for you will be to guide you on how to build your "solid sense of self," so you can live a life that is authenic and emotionally fulfilling.

Hello and welcome. If you're navigating life's twists and turns, struggling with unwanted feelings and mood swings, or dealing with the challenges of today's complex world, you're in the right place. Life can often present us with unexpected transitions, relationship struggles, loneliness, helplessness, and the weight of depression or anxiety. It's especially challenging when you find yourself balancing between different cultures and identities. I want you to know that you're not alone in your journey. I'm here to offer support, understanding, and guidance through these challenges.

Do you have trouble managing your anger? Have you been told by loved ones, coworkers, or friends that you have trouble managing your anger? Are you looking for someone who hears you with an impartial ear? I specialize in helping clients manage anger, adapting to a life of responding rather than reacting. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help clients adapt successful coping strategies. I also work with clients who have a history of childhood trauma, and as well provide couples counseling and see many clients who are struggling with depression and anxiety.

There are times that life can feel overwhelming whether due to trauma, stress, anxiety, depression or life transitions. I would like to join you on your journey toward wholeness and well-being as you navigate through life's trying times. I utilize an integrative holistic approach, allowing for unique and unlimited growth and potential. In my collaborative approach my goal in the therapeutic relationship is for each client to feel heard, respected and understood. I customize each client's needs and treatment using a variety of tools including psycho-education, mindfulness, meditation, body awareness and art.

Hi, I’m Dr. Irma. I am a bilingual, Spanish/English, licensed clinical psychologist with more than 17 years of experience in the mental health field. Since 2006, I have been an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. ​I specialize in the psychological treatment of the total person: mind, body and spirit; in children, adolescents, adults and families struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, inner conflict, stress and LGBTQ+ issues. I offer a personable approach to therapy in a supportive and nonjudgmental client-centered environment.