Therapists in Monrovia, CA

I work with teens, children, and adults struggling with unresolved trauma, relational issues, existential fear, grief, gender dysphoria, self-harm, addiction, anxiety, and depression. I work from a psychodynamic lens, which means looking at my client’s past as a means of informing the present and helping them discover the unconscious blind spots that unknowingly contribute to their distress. I am passionate about helping to reconcile past trauma such as abuse, bullying, oppression, and toxic relationships. I also work with families and couples stuck in destructive patterns and having the same fight over and over.

I am passionate about working with individuals and couples toward the goal of discovering how to access and express our deepest selves and form meaningful connections. I specialize in relationships, addiction and recovery, trauma, body image issues, and transitioning from adolescence into adulthood. I am committed to celebrating LGBTQ and gender variant people and communities and have a particular interest in working with gender variant individuals and their loved ones. I use psychoanalytic and postmodern theories in making links between subject and culture/subculture, always challenging gender stereotypes that keep us limited.

If you've become lost amongst obstacles on your journey, I'd like to help guide you to more happiness by offering suggestions, uncovering unwanted patterns, and leading you from the past to the present in order to heal and evolve, enhancing your happiness. Through changes in perceptions/attitudes and being willing to see situations with a new pair of glasses, you can reach your goals and evolve. My clients report that they enjoy my down-to-earth attitude and humor and my use of Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, TRM, meditation and yoga to treat mind-body symptoms. I work best with clients who are motivated to gain self-awareness and see patterns that are no longer serving them. I give homework between sessions in order to keep the continuity of healing working consistently. I feel very blessed to be working in a field that serves people who are finding their best selves and evolving into the people they want to be.

Finding the right therapist can be a daunting process. My goal is listen deeply to clients -- in order to fully hear the nature of their problems and skillfully mine for the underlying components of the personality that might be inhibiting growth, recovery and freedom. Whether you are suffering with conflict in your personal relationships, compulsive or addictive behaviors, mood disturbances, indecision, or the everyday crises of meaning we all sometimes face, I will apply my professional skills to organize and construct a treatment plan. In an atmosphere of trust and warmth a collaboration can commence. Call me today to begin...

We know what we believe when we hear what we say. This is the collaboration that is therapy. As an addiction treatment counselor and a marriage and family therapist I enjoy working with clients who struggle with life changes, maladaptive coping mechanisms, and relationship, identity, and sexuality issues.

My practice has primarily derived from an education in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, emphasizing close attention to your developmental history, relational patterns, inhibiting defenses and the neglected power of your inner life. I understand the vulnerability it takes to open yourself up to a therapist, and I promise to join you with patience, strength, and hope on your path to self-understanding. With collaborative and creative intention, I can help you widen your point of view, increase your tolerance for complex emotions, integrate fragmented parts of yourself, and discover the uncharted material within you.

"With almost 20 years clinical experience, I specialize in providing treatment tailored for individuals and couples who recognize that there is something interfering with their ability to function or enjoy their daily life. Utilizing a variety of techniques, I help my patients identify their immediate needs and their long-term goals. I work with both the first-time therapy patient as well as with those that have experience in the therapeutic process. I believe that we desire purpose and connection. I assist in exploring life's choices to improve clarity, relationships and an overall state of well-being."

I’m an Associate Clinical Social Worker currently practicing in Los Angeles. I have had the privilege of working with teens, adults, parents and families who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and beyond.

Do you want to dig deeper? Are you repeating behaviors or situations and wishing you could break the cycle? Are you or your partner struggling with mismatched communication, attachment, intimacy, vulnerability, desire, culture, or conflict resolution styles? Sometimes, we're not sure what causes our distress, but we can sense we're not reaching our potential for health, happiness, or success. And even when we know the cause, change can still feel impossible. That's where I come in. Without judgment, my job is to listen, help you understand root causes of your difficulties, and teach you practical tools to help change your life.

Sexuality is an important part of the human experience and I offer a safe, judgement-free space to talk about it. I’m a certified Sex Therapist whose speciality is working with LGBTQIA2s+, Kinky and Polyamorous identifying people. I know that fulfilling relationships are possible for everyone. We all have the need for connection and intimacy, but trauma and painful experiences can create walls that keep others at a distance. Therapy can help you overcome these walls and heal. You can achieve a balance of closeness, connection and personal autonomy in your life.

Are you struggling at work? Maybe you're having difficulties in your relationships. Or do you want to feel more confident about yourself? During difficult times, I will help you find new ways of managing your life by teaching you coping skills. Do you beat yourself up? Therapy will teach you how to be kind to yourself. I like to do "what works". I pull from different approaches because every client is unique. My style of relating is warm and empathetic. I currently work with individuals, couples, teens, and families with issues including: Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Substance abuse.

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.

Mental health, addiction and traumas can be treated with the appropriate psychotherapy. With thirteen years of experience in the field, I have had the opportunity to work with clients who have different problems, needs and objectives. People of all ages, ethnicities and cultures; therefore, giving me the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding on how to detect and treat various conditions. Psychotherapy helps people to go through a recovery process without problems.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 14 years of dedicated service in the mental health and substance use fields. My therapeutic approach is marked by compassion and directness, creating a non-judgmental and supportive environment that embraces individuals as they are. My philosophy centers on the belief that everyone is inherently whole, and through somatic and holistic practices, I facilitate a journey towards self-awareness, equipping clients with tools to regain control and self-trust.

Mike Rizzo LMFT Addiction Recovery. I have worked in the recovery field since 2004.Since 2007 I have worked at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, developing and managing their Addiction Recovery Services / Crystal Meth Recovery Services. I also was the Program Director at CAST Centers in West Hollywood. I am trained in working with individuals in the LGBTQI community. I specialize in addiction recovery and am comfortable working with clients dealing with depression and anxiety. I believe clients intuitively have their own answers and I work to help clients find their truth. I work compassionately and can be directive with my clients.

Finding the therapist who is the right fit for your individual challenges is essential to your growth: I engage with my clients through active listening, conversations, and with a sense of humor, providing a comfortable and collaborative space for them to work towards implementing change. In order to assist my clients in meeting their goals, I am both compassionate and straightforward in order to provide encouragement, support and direction.

Are you concerned about a child or adolescent that is struggling? Are they shutting down and sad? Worried or mad? Are they having trouble functioning at school or with friends? How about at home and with their family? Has something in their life changed? Maybe they need a little more support at this particular time... Therapy can help. I work with individuals of all ages, couples, and families.