Teen Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

The foundation of our programming is our team of compassionate and highly experienced behavioral healthcare professionals. The Newport staff is comprised of the best mental health leaders in the country, surrounding each client with 360-degree care. Because Newport’s philosophy of care views family as central to long-term, sustainable healing, the groundbreaking Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) methodology is also a central component of our approach. ABFT is proven to be successful in addressing adolescent and young adult suicidality by repairing ruptures in the parent-child relationship.

I am here to help you get unstuck and reclaim your natural state of joy, well-being, purpose, and vitality. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure (Marianne Williamson)." In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose touch with ourselves and our sense of well-being. This has led to a rise in depression/anxiety, substance abuse, marital/relationship issues, and other difficulties. I am skilled at alleviating these symptoms and have been successful in working with individuals, couples, children/adolescents, and families of all ages backgrounds.

My goal as a Marriage and Family Therapist is to hold an empowering space for folks with complex trauma and PTSD, anxiety, and depression. In my experience, supporting my clients in reconnecting to their mind, body, and spirit has led to a newfound sense of self-awareness, inner trust, and emotional attunement that results in deeper healing.

I have found that disruptions in our lives carry on in our nervous systems, sometimes arising at inopportune times. Often, it is in these times we seek support; whether dealing with the loss of a loved one, a sudden traumatic event, the onset of anxiety or a reliance on alcohol or medications. I will create an environment that encourages reflection, honesty, and compassion to help you find growth, self-reliance and an eventual return to health. I will work with you to get through the most challenging times with courage and boundless growth.

You may already have answers to your struggles, though these answers are unconscious. I specialize in working with your unconscious, the side of you that is neglected, ignored or rejected. This is a powerful mode of therapy that can help you with your anxiety, depression or relationships. I work with adults, and have specialized training to work with children, adolescents and their parents. My work with children focuses on play therapy, the child's best form of communication. With adults I use my Jungian training in dreamwork and symbolism to access the unheard side of yourself, which can enrich your life and relieve your suffering.

I am a psychological trauma specialist who has spent over 25 years working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced child abuse, family violence, rape and assault, traumatic loss of loved ones, and the psychological effects of serious or severe medical problems or injuries. I offer individual, couples, and family therapy for these and other problems, including relationship issues and the problems associated with working in the entertainment industry. I work with clients who have experienced a single trauma as well as those who have experienced complex trauma. At this time, I am limiting my practice to traumatized adults.

I strive to create a comfortable and safe environment, encouraging you to deeply explore your life experiences and identify where and how to create positive change. Together we will work towards healing hurt and trauma from your past. I will gently push you to challenge outdated belief systems that may be keeping you stuck or creating disharmony in your relationships. With curiosity and compassion, I hope to uncover your authentic needs, strengths, and personal values to help you grow towards a more meaningful life.

I am incredibly passionate about psychotherapy, and not only that, I believe in it with all my heart. I value the individuality of each and every one of my clients, and I believe the relationship we form is the basis for real change and growth. I am committed to understanding my clients very deeply, and in helping them understand themselves. In addition to gaining insight and awareness, I encourage clients to utilize skills and implement change to help them live life to their fullest. I give 100% of my effort, attention, and focus on my clients to provide the best care needed.

We try to make sense of our lives through telling our stories, but when we are unable to find the words, we express ourselves in other ways, such as in symptoms, dreams, and behaviors that we don't understand. My previous training in fine arts and filmmaking (MFA, USC School of Cinema) make an excellent fit with the type of in-depth therapy I provide. I have a wide range of professional experiences from my private practice, in residential and outpatient clinics, as an adjunct professor of psychology at Antioch University, and as a supervisor training other therapists.

I'm glad you're here: you have taken a courageous and healing step by seeking support. I provide an integrative, resiliency-focused approach to therapy, pulling from your strengths and values to guide our work and help you regain a sense of mastery, meaning, and connection in your life. My perspective is that we are built to survive and often develop ways of relating which once helped us get by, but may no longer be helpful to a current situation. My goal is to form a safe connection to explore these factors that may contribute to ongoing difficulties, re-process experiences, and ultimately co-create your next chapter.

Are you having concerns related to anxiety, depression or sexuality, either individually or as a couple? Are you a parent or teen who is having challenges at home/school? Are you an intern looking for supervision for Licensure? If any of this applies to you, I would be happy to discuss if I could be of any help to you. Please feel free to email or call me with questions.

Change is possible. With over 20+ years of experience I have successfully worked with individuals, adolescents, couples and families to reduce anxiety, depression and overall conflict, whether it be at home or work. As little as 3-5 sessions my clients have reported that they have higher self esteem and greater confidence in all areas of their life. High stress can hit you during times of change; birth, separation, divorce or death of a loved one. I will help guide you through this difficult time. Each client's therapy is individualized, collaborative and strength based. I offer 2 hour dive deep intensive couples therapy.

We are a group of skilled clinicians committed to helping clients achieve goals and make change. We work In Network with UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Oscar, Oxford and Aetna. We do so by creating a relationship that is based on genuine care and concern, non-judgment, and support. Our mission is to help you help yourself live a happier and more satisfying life. We offer sessions on Saturday and Sunday and all weekdays and evenings.

At various times in their lives people need help in recognizing what they want and are not getting. In an atmosphere of safety and support, we will look at patterns and beliefs that prevent each person from feeling cohesive and understood. We will also look at patterns that trigger feelings of depression, anger and anxiety, as well as longings that may be shameful and out of awareness. With support and understanding shame can be dealt with and reduced leading to a life that is less isolated and anxiety ridden.

Get relief from pain and find meaning! I grew up in Los Angeles participating in teams sports and musical groups, which made me curious about relationships. This curiosity about relationships continues to inform my approach to psychotherapy. I believe that much emotional pain stems from difficulties in developing or maintaining fulfilling relationships. Therefore, I examine one's relational dynamics, ways of relating, and impact on others. I openly explore clients' feelings toward me, encouraging individuals to experience authenticity with others, and ultimately, with themselves.

Is Your Teen Struggling Socially or Emotionally? Let me put any challenges your teen or family may be facing into perspective, and offer you fresh solutions you may not have previously considered. As an experienced Teen Therapist, I can assist you in finding solutions to problems at home or at school, and teach your teen the skills they need to thrive. For adolescents with a history of anxiety, depression, substance-abuse, or ADD, the coping skills they may have developed could be hindering the attainment of their life goals. I help teens & young-adults reconcile their history and temperament -- with their future aspirations.

In my 30+ years of experience, I have tried to create a non-judgmental environment of openness and collaboration with my clients. I have found that most people are looking for understanding, clarification and a path to hope and healing.

Therapy can provide a safe space for individuals to explore vulnerable dimensions of oneself and explore meaning in life’s experiences. Therapy with me is rooted in relationship. I understand that value of a trusting, authentic relationship between therapist and client, and I offer insight, support, compassion, and curiosity in a nurturing way that allows clients to examine patterns that both aid or hinder individuals’ potential for wholeness. I work from a depth-oriented, psychodynamic framework, understanding that one’s self is a manifestation of one’s whole life experiences. I provide both short and long term therapy.

Being a kid is today’s world can be tough and helping your little one navigate through the struggles and hardships as a parent, can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. As a licensed professional therapist with over 7 years of private practice experience, I specialize in child and adolescent behaviors, parenting skills, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I have a passion for helping children and parents realize their full potential by educating and working with them on issues that may be holding them back.