Humanistic Therapists in Manhattan Beach, CA

Starting therapy can feel daunting, so it's important you feel a comfortable connection with a therapist. Maybe you're here because you need resolution or support. Whether you know exactly what the issue is - anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, grief, codependency - or you're not quite sure what's bothering you, I am deeply committed to therapy being a collaborative process aimed at finding what helps. My clients tell me they appreciate how engaged and direct I am, but also how I use humor, compassion and patience in our work. My intention is to create an environment where you feel safe to explore and my goal is for you to feel relief.

My passion is people. I have worked with individuals, couples and families for over 25 years. I learned early on that whether you are having trouble getting out of bed in the morning or feel like you'll never have the love in your life that you want, feeling heard, understood, and accepted is what opens the door to your new life. So my goal is not to change you into someone that you're not. My goal is for you to understand, accept and love yourself for who you truly are. That is where your power lives.

In my work with you, I am invested in establishing a safe, supportive and truthful connection aimed at working through underlying psychological issues that have caused you emotional pain, perpetuated self-defeating behaviors, and trapped you in inauthentic roles. From your commitment to the therapeutic process, you can come to experience deeper intimacy in relationships, increased self-esteem and confidence, and greater joy and pleasure in living.

Are you looking for a Christian therapist who can provide you with counseling from a Christian perspective? Do you want to live with less anxiety or depression in your life? Do you feel misunderstood by your partner? Are you looking for a way to rebuild love and trust in your marriage? Have you been involved in a toxic relationship, or do you have unresolved trauma from your past? I can meet you in your current crisis, or uncomfortable life situation, provide a safe and accepting place for you to begin to explore your feelings and experiences, and together we can work towards achieving personal fulfillment and healing.

We seek therapy for so many reasons: relationship challenges, physical pain, parenting, isolation, depression, anxiety, career. Sometimes it's just hard to live with uncertainty. I work with all kinds of addictions and intimacy challenges. I treat people of all ages who are going through life transitions: graduations, marriage, new baby, career changes, divorce, illness - while others are athletes and artists wanting greater achievements. Many are grieving or just needing someone to listen. Together, we can determine what kind of therapy will work for you.

I have had over 15 years experience impacting the lives of children, adolescents and adults with emotional disturbances and often extensive trauma histories. The symptom presentation can range but often the cause is a mixture of biological factors and environmental stress combined with an inability to effectively process and deal with these stresses. I create meaningful working relationships, even when someone may be skeptical of the benefits of therapy. I then work collaboratively to improve coping skills and the ability to handle challenging situations with minimal to no impairment today and in the future.

Are you feeling stressed? Anxious? Is your mood feeling lower than usual? Life events, transitions, and stressors -regardless of how big or small- can cause distress. These struggles can impede or stifle personal growth, relationships, and overall satisfaction. My hope is to help to reduce the negative, undesirable impact of stressors and increase the positive, proactive possibilities.

We are a group practice dedicated to providing comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological assessment and empirically validated treatment of mental health disorders for adults and older adults. We specialize in individuals suffering from a wide range of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, as well as concerns related to normal aging. We have a cognitive-behavioral approach in which we assist individuals in identifying maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, that contribute to emotional distress and suboptimal functioning.

Dr. Diamond has been practicing psychotherapy for 45 years and is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. He is the author of Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil and Creativity (1996), and contributed chapters to Meeting the Shadow (1990), Spirituality & Psychological Health (2005), Encyclopedia of Psychology & Religion (2009), and Contemporary Theory and Practice in Counseling & Psychotherapy (SAGE, 2015). Diamond's unique treatment approach (Existential Depth Psychology) is a fusion of psychodynamic and existential therapy, with an emphasis on C.G. Jung's analytical psychology.

I am an experienced,supportive therapist helping clients find their own answers. I have been in practice for over 20 years and work with seniors,couples and young women.One of my areas of specialty is working with women who are dealing with postpartum depression.

It hurts to feel disconnected from your partner, parent, or child. And sometimes the harder you both try to close that distance, the farther apart and more lonely you both end up feeling. Yet you keep using the same ineffective relationship strategies, because you don't know what else to do! Or maybe you just give up. If yours is like most relationships, you're already spending enough time and effort trying to make it work -- you're just spending it in the wrong way. I can help you redirect your efforts using an approach called Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

Finding a psychotherapist you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with can seem like a great challenge. As you search, it is helpful to be mindful of what is bringing you to therapy and what you are wanting from a therapist. When you find someone you think you may be able to bond with, you can talk with them about what you are looking for and if you don't know, ask them how they envision working with you. As a psychologist with over 30 years of experience, I believe that meeting the client where they are is the key to creating a safe and supportive environment conducive to change.

Beginning therapy is a positive step towards changing the way life is experienced. Someone may have challenges in relationships, may have experienced trauma, may not feel a sense of purpose, may feel sadness or fear. It is healing to be seen, heard and accepted and this is what I offer. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship built on trust and safety. Working with clients to explore thoughts, feelings and life experiences paves the way for healing, growth and a chance to live life more authentically. Self-compassion and vulnerability can lead to more connection with oneself and others while feeling less alone in the world.

I have had many years experience dealing with individuals coping with anxiety, depression, life adjustment changes, chronic illness, death of loved ones, anger, workplace conflicts, and gay, lesbian transgender issues . I am comfortable with couple counseling. I prefer working with people 17 years of age and upwards.

I work with adults, teens and couples suffering with depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, OCD, grief, life transitions, intimate relationship difficulties and more. I strive to provide a safe space where you can heal and grow. My approach is holistic and strength based. I have advanced training in EMDR and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

Are you married or in a relationship and struggling to get along, communicate or feel close to your partner? Believe it or not, there are skills that couples need to learn to manage their relationship in a healthy way and feel close. Many couples end up putting their relationship at the bottom of the priorities because of busy work schedules, raising children and managing life. Happy, healthy relationships take work and effort. I teach couples how to get "unstuck" in their dynamics to create more connection, intimacy and fun. I also work with couples dealing with the trauma of infidelity and how to work through the pain and sadness.

We face myriad of relational and emotional challenges from childhood to adult years. When the right support to deal with these challenges is not available to us, we compensate by activating parts of our Self that may manifest themselves as anxiety, depression, trauma reactions, compulsive behaviors, etc. As a result, relationships with our others, as well as with ourselves, are affected. My goal is to create a safe and caring space, and to guide you through healing these parts leading to a self who is more emotionally aware and connected. You will learn to live with more harmony in the present, and build stronger relationships.

Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.

No one is born with a playbook for life, but you have the power to write your own. Some people I work with recognize that they feel anxious, depressed, possibly reliving trauma, or are generally unfulfilled, while others are not sure why they are unhappy, nervous, not enjoying life. I’m here to help you get more out of life. More love, more joy, more peace. Change isn’t always easy. I offer a space where you can explore your emotions, fears, anger, and experience new-found hope, plus get real solutions, and thrive!