Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

I’ve worked with adolescents, young adults, and adults from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and in a variety of settings. I see many people dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, and I specialize in life transitions and adjustment, including experiences such as adjusting to a new job, beginning college, becoming a new parent or transitioning to more than one child in the family, and family structural changes like separation & divorce. I also specialize in both academic research and clinical work on the role of fathers in the family and issues that fathers face.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) with certification from the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Sociology, concentrating in Conversational Analysis, I earned my Master's in Social Work from USC, concentrating in Business and Social Work in Global Communities. Prior to becoming Clinical Director at Center for Sexual Integrity, I served as the Associate Clinical Director at Center for Healthy Sex, working closely with one of the most respected authorities in the field, Dr. Alexandra Katehakis.

I meet every day with people who are overcoming worry, depression, dissatisfaction and conflict to find greater joy, and fulfillment in their life. My specialties include working with depression/anxiety, OCD/ADD, personality disorders, and addiction. I also have expertise in working with the LGBTQQI community. My approach to psychotherapy is practical and interactive, providing the support and insight to help you resolve current issues and historical patterns. Through empathy and direct communication, I assist you in finding the solutions to life's adversities, challenges, and mental health.

Are past traumatic experiences, being an adult child of a dysfunctional home, incest survival experiences, addiction issues, phobia, panic, anxiety, C-PTSD or depression affecting your success? Are distractions impacting your optimal performance abilities at work, in your intimate relationships, or in relationships with family members or with yourself? Are you surviving instead of thriving? I provide accelerated Psychotherapy for individuals and couples who are challenged by performance loss and emotional unhappiness. Also offer Diagnosis evaluation for addiction, mood, personality, and adult Autism spectrum. HSP and Kink friendly.

If your goals or dreams have drifted, seem out of reach, or you just feel stuck, I can help navigate you to a better understanding of yourself for permanent change. I learn to speak your individual language, to help and coach you to live a more manageable and meaningful life. I take a goal-oriented approach to psychotherapy. My innovative techniques help to empower patients to learn the tools and strategies they need to navigate through life challenges. I will assist you in defining achievable goals and will help you learn simple, understandable procedures that will become second nature to help you reach those goals.

Balance CBT is the name of my private practice. I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY27841) and an expert in the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders and related conditions. My primary focus is providing evidence-based or "known to work" treatments for anxiety-related problems. While I place very high value on research-driven treatments, I strongly believe that compassion, validation, and a powerful relationship are cornerstones to effective therapy. I am a member of the clinical faculty at UCLA and hold positions in the departments of psychiatry and psychology.

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.

I work with creatives, professionals, and men. On New York State of Mind, Nas sings, "I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.” Maybe you too aim for excellence, work hard, and crush goals. But you haven’t found a work-life balance, or your current role is smaller than your aspirations. Or you relate to Propaganda's line “I’m not the artist I’m the canvas” and you create and inspire others through art, music, design, etc. But you are not inspired in daily life. It’s hard to translate that creative process to your personal habits, relationships, coping skills and day to day living.

Resurface Group was founded based on a shared belief that individuals and families experiencing even the most complex mental health and behavioral challenges can achieve long-term change and lasting well-being with the right care and support. Our mission is to deliver alternative solutions to people battling mental and behavioral health challenges. We inspire even the most complex individuals and family systems to create positive, healthy changes with innovative approaches and proven clinical techniques.

Seeking therapy takes courage and strength. Are you experiencing feeling stuck due to childhood trauma? I am here to provide you with unconditional support to process through your anxiety, depression, and other unresolved feelings at your pace. Sometimes we may need someone who is there for us and there are no problems in life that are too big or small. You have taken the first step to seek help, I can help you discover your inner strength to bounce back and deep inside you may be wishing for peace and equilibrium. As a therapist, I aim to help you reach those goals together to bring about inner peace.

I specialize in working with teens and adults who lived through a single, multiple, or years of trauma. If you’re struggling with your relationships, feeling more angry or irritated than usual, it’s hard trusting others, having difficult memories, disturbing dreams, feeling anxious, sad or lonely even if you’re surrounded by people, you may be experiencing side effects of trauma. You’ve been waiting for all this to go away by itself but you are realizing that professional help might be needed? 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!

**Telehealth Video sessions are available** Are you having trouble controlling your drinking but feel like "rehab" isn't for you? Have loved ones in your life pleaded with you to stop? Is your alcohol or drug use causing relationship issues? Anxiety problems? I know exactly how your feeling. Alcohol or drug abuse can extremely difficult to manage on your own. For the last 19 years I’ve been helping clients navigate the personal recovery process and the trials and tribulations they come with it. If you are in a place in your life where you are ready to make some needed changes, I can help you be free from the grips of addiction.

In life, pain and suffering are inevitable. We have all been wounded in one way or another. As your Psychotherapist and Integrative Trauma Recovery Trained Specialist, I treat the whole person—body, mind, and soul. Life ebbs and flows, and at times, we can find ourselves in the rapids of despair and confusion. It’s easy to fall into the trap of defining ourselves by our struggles, which only leads us to forget our true story and diminish who we really are. I will help you clear the fog of dysfunction and illuminate your path to develop and reveal the person you truly are and were meant to be.

Have you ever heard the saying "the mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master?" I can help you learn to not follow your every thought as if it is a command, and to be more connected to the present moment. Integrity, humility, benevolence, and community are the core values of my practice. As your therapist, I will help you identify your core values and what is most important to you. Once we know what is most important, we can nourish those areas while changing how you relate to unhelpful thinking patterns. I believe therapy is about repairing relationships, whether to food, to your body, to others or with yourself.

It takes time to choose the best therapist for you. When you're ready, let's talk and see if we might be a good fit. I appreciate the importance of this process, which is why I offer a free phone consultation to address any questions or concerns you may have prior to scheduling an appointment. Consider me a resource- even if we don't end up working together. Remember, life can be much more than survival. Change is closer than you may think. Keep reaching out.

ZEN PSYCHOTHERAPY . PERFORMANCE COACHING . MEDITATION . BREATHWORK I primarily work with clients in high-profile and high stress arenas: Artists, Athletes, Executives, Creatives, Entrepreneurs. My clients want to cultivate the mindset and behaviors that contribute growth, healing, love, and creativity, and performance. They are open to the principle that forms of fear and psychological clutter are often the pathways to the above mentioned.

Struggling with emotion disregulation? Anxious or depressed? Self medicating? You will have to create new patterns of behavior and thought to deal with the old destructive behaviors and thoughts. Self-compassion through self awareness. I can help you thrive and cultivate emotional sobriety. I work with adults and adolescents who struggle with emotional disregulation and/or dealing with addiction-be that drugs, alcohol, sex, gaming, smart phones, intensity, pills, marijuana, etc. With over a decade of experience in helping people, you will learn skills to deal with your challenges as well as address the roots of your suffering.

I help people navigate the big choices in life, confront issues like depression and anxiety, and face down bigger problems like addiction or unresolved trauma. Maybe you sense something isn’t quite right — your job, your marriage, your personal relationships and want to get “back on track.” Together we can face difficult choices, move through the stages of change, and help you recover a sense of personal integrity. I work with couples, individuals, and sometimes families to improve communication, explore values, and address underlying issues which may be a source of conflict.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in providing psychotherapy to adults and their families. I have provided treatment and conducted evaluations for individuals in clinical settings from private practices, to hospitals, to community health centers. I have a true passion for working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and values cultural awareness in a therapeutic setting. I empower individuals to enhance their lives through the application of evidence-based therapeutic models and relational support.