Grief Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

I work with individuals and couples on a variety of relationship and interpersonal issues. I believe that each of has the innate desire and ability to lead satisfying and fulfilling lives. We are often stuck in old patterns of behavior and relating. Working together we can explore those patterns and how to move beyond them. There are times in our lives when feelings of isolation, depression, loneliness pervade. It is helpful to have a trained professional to discuss these feelings with.

Life will sometimes nudge and then shout at us when we need to pause and look within ourselves. It often comes at times when we feel sad, hurt, anxious, or depressed. It may be at times when relationship struggles, self-doubt, or loss arise. Whether you are returning to therapy or preparing to enter it for the first time, with this step change is already underway. As I see it, the therapy process is a journey to resolve painful experiences, gain insight, and develop strengths and new abilities, all which help to navigate life’s challenges. Healing is possible as well as clarity on how to move forward.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself, from life, and from others? Panic, anxiety, depression, confusion, loss , overwhelm, numbness-- these can feel like powerful forces separating you from the vibrant and productive life you imagine is possible. I can help you navigate your path to emotional balance, cognitive clarity, joyful energy, and sense of purpose. Together, we can face the distress and restore your inner life in a way that brings you home to your Self.

I am a licensed psychologist and health service provider in private practice and work with individuals, couples, groups, and families. I specialize in grief , traumatic experience, anxiety, depression, interpersonal problems, and also enjoy working with issues of creativity and optimal self development over the lifespan. I practice from an integrative perspective that includes psychoanalytic, humanistic, and experiential approaches. My book, The Paradox of Loss : Toward a Relational Theory of Grief , describes my nonlinear, non-pathologizing, and relational understanding of grief . I am offering four groups this coming year: Recent Bereavement ; Longer-Term Grief ; Creative Writing and Loss ; and Enhancing Communication and Connection for Improved Functioning.

The privilege of working with clients is the way each individual strength and barrier is presented in a session. An ideal client is one who is open to the therapeutic process and recognizes the art of healing through time, directed interventions and collaboration. Therapy and the therapist are tools, meant to magnify your process and highlight the route in feeling cared for and attended to with me. I do not require the "perfect" client, I seek the curious wonderment that recognizes the wisdom in their pain but open to the hope in their heart.

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.

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.

It is the goal of us all to have the chance to live in the wonder of our real selves. But we often find ourselves in an outside life that doesn't match the inside one. We can spend years struggling with making decisions, dealing with sadness and anger, anxiety and grief , as well as distrust, fear and longing, all overwhelming feelings and the behavior that goes with them, not knowing how to change but knowing we must. My job is to help you get back to and live the wonder that is the real you.

I have designed a private psychotherapy office especially for the creative client. This type of personality is more visually sensitive to their environment. The unique eclectic furniture styles, colors, fabrics, lighting, varied types of art work, and musical instruments, help create an uplifting and soothing atmosphere for therapy.

Feeling depressed, anxious, uncertain of what path to take next? Feeling lost, alone, or unsure of yourself? These are all common concerns that my clients face daily, and have come to understand their source by working in a safe collaborative space in therapy. Many of my clients are at a cross roads whether it be leaving their parents home, trying to launch from college, deciding whether or not to get married, have a baby, or change careers or retire. Therapy can help with any transition. In a supportive, collaborative environment we will discover what blocks you from growing and thriving.

I am a specialist in grief , loss and trauma encompassing the entire spectrum of women's maternal mental health. I help women(and their partners) with healthy pregnancies, postpartum depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss , terminations and infertility - whether through stillbirth, miscarriage, late term loss , IVF/IUI failures, selective termination or pregnancy releases (aka abortion). Sadly, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage and 1 in 8 will have trouble with conception. I blend psychology, ritual, spirituality, reiki, energy healing, guided meditations and more to help facilitate and support women, couples and families.

Evolution can be messy, as healing and growth are non-linear processes. Micky takes an integrative approach to therapy using mindfulness as the cornerstone, in order to support her clients on their journey. Micky uses a combination of psychodynamic, existential, person-centered and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat a diverse population, including those suffering from anxiety disorders, mood disorders, physical and emotional trauma, bereavement and loss , attachment and intimacy concerns, and chronic illness/pain. She also treats couples utilizing attachment theory and elements of emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT).

No matter what is going on within you and around you, there is always hope. You do not have to face life alone. Life brings us challenges that can include anxiety, depression, difficulties in relationships, and grief . Together we can create an individualized plan to help you heal and create the life that you desire. As the warm and caring therapist, it would be my honor to be a part of your healing process. Through our work together, I am committed to helping you recognize your strengths and innate resiliency that would allow you to thrive at home, work, and in relationships.

Like water, every individual is unique, whole, and complete. Sometimes we have a hard time acknowledging this and embracing who we are. It is in this place we are asked to go inward and begin to understand the patterns that inhibit our growth. I utilize a blend of therapeutic approaches, meeting clients where they are, by integrating psychodynamic, mindfulness, and experiential therapy to recognize problems relating to grief , bereavement , anxiety, and multiculturalism.

You've been working through challenges on your own for quite some time. Family and friends think you are “fine”, but deep inside you are struggling to get through the day to day without breaking down. You're overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of life and have been trying to change the way you feel, but things don’t seem to be any different no matter what you do. If you are ready for change and support within your personal life, then you are in the right place. Let's get you back to having peace and meaningful connection within your life.

Let's face it- Whatever you are going through and whatever is bringing you to seek a therapist, it is probably not fun. Whether it is a break up, a divorce, a job loss etc. you have come to the right place. Seeking therapy and gaining self awareness is life changing and can help break old ugly habits. Whether it is a current life crisis or the desire to change old patterns, my style is nurturing, directive and fun. I work with you as a team getting to the core of the problem to help you move forward, and with a fresh perspective.

I work with people who are ready for change, people who have recognized that they are stuck in unproductive, repeating patterns in their lives and want to break free, and people who are ready to commit to their own personal growth. I have several specialties, including: the management of a broad range of feelings; concerns about body image and sexuality; communication difficulties; loss and grief ; empowerment; self-esteem; and, dealing with life-threatening illness.

Late life is often a dynamic time and one of transition. For many older adults, it is fraught with illness, loss and emotional and physical challenge. But it can also be a time of enormous potential. With fewer obligations, long time personal goals can finally be realized and difficult family relationships repaired and healed. Evidence suggests that it's possible to make change at any stage of life. Together through the collaborative process of psychotherapy, we will work towards your goals using an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and solution focused strategies.

I believe that at times we all get sad, down, bummed-out, etc… but nobody needs to be depressed; I believe that therapy need not be: - intimidating; uncomfortable; awkward; unsafe; labeling/diagnostic, OR indoors; I believe that life can be really challenging, especially for those who try to get through it alone; I believe that nobody should even attempt to get through it alone; I believe that "craziness" is in the eye of the beholder & each of us is crazy in our own uniquely beautiful ways..