Humanistic Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

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 first step in creating meaningful change, is the desire for things to be different followed by the courage to take action to make it happen. You've already taken that first step by seeking therapy and I honor you for that, and gladly meet you there! Together, we we will co-create a safe and supportive space for you to feel seen, heard and honored where you will feel held as you enter a more deep exploration of self. Here we will identify patterns, themes and the source of which have brought your to your current reality and identify how and where you can make conscious shifts to create the change you want to see in your life.

The psychotherapy work I offer creates a sacred relationship, built on the deep recognition of our essential humanness. The issues that bring you to therapy will guide our work, and with clarity, compassion, and tools gathered from 30 years in practice, I will become your companion on the healing journey. Each of us has within us the wisdom to resolve our issues. My purpose is to assist you in finding that wisdom, bringing your own loving to any places of pain within you, and in seeing clearly and stepping into your life's opportunities.

Finding fulfillment and meaning in life isn’t easy. Just when we think we have it together, new circumstances pull us apart. When we experience stress, anxiety and depression, it is important to find support. Trauma, relationship conflicts, transitioning to a new phase of life such as parenthood, feeling lost or confused. All these situations deserve attention and compassion. I am here to support you in finding stability, balance, and fulfillment. I work well with individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children because I am passionate about building healthier relationships and facilitating positive development and growth.

Therapeutic orientation in the integration of psychoanalytic, cognitive, and humanistic approaches exploring collaboratively with clients various issues, including anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, etc. The approach is to build rapport and explore past experiences, current cognitions, and patterns of behavior with a focus on the client's unique needs. The therapeutic goal is to help gain insights and catharsis (“ah-ha” moments) with the client toward their psychological improvement and well-being.

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” Brene Brown -Putting yourself first can be scary. Showing up in life can be overwhelming but I believe showing up is half the battle and from there we can create a collaborative therapeutic relationship to help you on your path of healing and self-discovery. I integrate principles of psychodynamic, attachment, mindfulness and humanistic theoretical approaches into my work. I believe that by looking at events and relationships in our past can help us understand patterns in our present that no longer serve us or have made us feel stuck.

Feya Health is a woman-owned, Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy group practice, featured on MTV. Our Integrative approach helps clients address their self-destructive patterns by getting to the core and root of their issues. The result is a drastic reduction in the initial presenting symptoms over a short period of time. We offer a comprehensive, integrative & customizable approach to the Ketamine & Oxytocin Therapy Process and specialize in EMDR, PTSD, CPTSD, human optimization and Pharmaceutical Medication withdrawal.

I work with individuals, couples and families to relieve depression, anxiety, conflict and address overwhelming life issues. I understand feeling lost and alone. We can guide you on a discovery of meaning and purpose. Happiness is deserved and within our power. I can help you form and grow relationships where you feel loved, comforted and seen. We can address family conflict, emotional distance and build a life-long partnership with children, parents and partners. I can support you with life transitions like employment changes and personal loss to reclaim your dreams. Every day matters. Change is constant and ours to direct.

I am accepting new patients via Telemedicine as the need for mental health support is stronger today than ever. My style is grounded in empathy, listening, and compassion, with a dash of humor central to building a trusting alliance. I work with adults and couples; my doctoral project focused on treating violent couples in highly conflictual relationships in a conjoint setting examining the role of aggression and masochism in relationships. Another area of my expertise is working with individuals and families who are struggling with addiction and addiction-related predicaments.

Are you or your child struggling with anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues? Have you found yourself feeling stuck or unable to create change? Therapy can help you cope with these challenges and set you up for future success. I find a positive and trusting client-therapist relationship to be the most essential component of the therapeutic process and place an emphasis on creating a safe and non-judgmental space for effective reflection and growth. Incorporating humanistic, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches, I work with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, oppositional defiance, high-risk behavior, and family dynamics.

I find the best way for me to help people reach their goals is to work collaboratively and to build a therapeutic relationship based on trust, honesty, and openness. An individualized therapeutic approach is imperative for helping explore my clients’ unique life experiences. We work together utilizing an eclectic interactive approach that encourages feedback and collaboration to shape treatment to meet a client's individual needs. Together we formulate a plan to address achieving specific short-term goals aimed at improving daily life in addition to long term growth focusing on personal development.

Ed Mendelowitz is one of the leading practitioners of existential-humanistic psychotherapy. He is the recipient of the Rollo May Award for "independent and outstanding pursuit of new frontiers in psychology," an apt encapsulation of his role in the discipline over many years. Dr. Mendelowitz is Associate Editor of the Humanistic Psychologist and a major contributor to the literature of existential-humanistic practice and thought. In addition to a faculty position at Saybrook University, he has lectured widely on psychology, psychotherapy, and the broader humanities in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

We all feel lost from time to time, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been through my own therapy as a young adult when I was stuck in a bout of anxiety and panic attacks due to childhood trauma. Throughout my years of working with traumatized individuals, I learned first-hand about how childhood trauma can have a strong impact on adulthood. I can help you address unresolved trauma, in order for you to find passion, connection, and purpose in your life.

Therapy can be a helpful and beautiful transforming tool. My primary goal is to create a space for you to feel safe to share whatever you need in our sessions. It is your time, and I am here to help guide you and work with you. You are the expert in your story, and together, we will work hard to find solutions and peace. I specialize in working with teens and young adults but have clients of all ages. I also specialize in OCD, trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder), ADHD, and anxiety. Seeing all clients residing in CA via telehealth.

I specialize in helping adults and teens with getting unstuck from the effects of trauma. If you’re feeling more angry/irritated than usual, it’s hard trusting others, having difficult memories or dreams, feeling anxious, sad or lonely even if you’re surrounded by people, and you're struggling with your relationship(s), you may be experiencing side effects of trauma. You’ve been postponing professional help, hoping this would go away by itself but you are realizing that now may be the time? I get it. You’re not alone. There’s hope! I can help heal those internal wounds so you can enjoy your trauma-free, best version of yourself.

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of conflict and misunderstanding in your relationships? Do you long for deeper connections but find yourself facing barriers you can't seem to overcome? As a therapist specializing in relationship issues, I am here to offer you a guiding hand on your journey towards healing and connection. With a warm, empathetic approach, I provide a safe and supportive space for individuals and couples to explore their feelings, communicate effectively, and foster healthier relationships. My focus areas include anxiety/depression, childhood trauma, PTSD, people-pleasing, and marital/pre-marital issues.

Do you ever struggle with feeling like you’re not enough? Do you feel like you have to prove yourself? Do you feel stuck and triggered by childhood trauma? The symptoms of trauma include anxiety, depression, high conflict relationships, occupational impairment, addiction, and much more. I believe therapy can help you develop a more self-awareness and actionable plan to alleviate these symptoms. I specialized in working with people who are willing to explore past, present, and future challenges and to find tools for personal growth.

I believe there is a natural tendency toward growth, a desire to be more of ourselves and to enjoy the things we do. For many, that curiosity and vitality has been restricted or shut down. This may lead to feeling depressed, like nothing will change for you. Or anxious, it will only get worse. Or perhaps you sense things could be different and are frustrated, not knowing how to access that new way of being. Psychotherapy is a process through which you can understand how these feelings have come about and how to access your natural tendency toward wellness.

Do you want to overcome the obstacles preventing you from being your best self? I look forward to walking with you on your journey towards optimal psychological and emotional wellness. Our work will help you alleviate the psychological and emotional symptoms creating distress in your life. Although you may not realize now, you have the capacity to achieve a peace that may feel out of reach. I take a strengths-based approach to help you recognize your strengths as a tool to you overcoming your distress and living the life you want to live.