Chronic Pain Therapists in Studio City, CA

Welcome to my practice! As a licensed clinical psychologist, I am committed to providing a safe and interactive space for you to heal from emotional pain . Seeking help takes courage, and I am privileged to begin this process of self-discovery with you.

Seeking help is a sign of self-awareness & readiness for change. Perhaps you're feeling out control with emotional pain , behavior, or relationships. You may be dealing with chronic health issues involving physical pain & psychological symptoms. As a therapist, health educator, pain specialist for 30 + yrs, I offer compassion & collaboration to help you overcome unhealthy patterns, depression, anxiety, somatic ( pain ) symptoms, poor self-image, or grief in a safe and nonjudgmental space. Together we will explore the root causes of symptoms, help you identify counterproductive patterns and develop healthy new healthy coping strategies.

I specialize in the evidence-based treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Chronic Pain .  I am trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches.

Therapy is a helpful resource for people who would like to improve their emotional health, relationships, self-esteem, coping skills, and overall well-being. My primary expertise is working with teens and young adults who have challenges related to mood disorders, trauma, chronic pain , chronic illness , and other stressors.

When "talk therapy" isn't enough... I specialize in using a calming, holistic technique, Somatic Experiencing and Touch therapy to treat Anxiety, Stress, Trauma and Pain Management. Although I use regular "talk therapy," I specialize in these techniques because it works. There is lasting change. It regulates your nervous system and increases overall resilience. You will learn to trust your body's innate wisdom and capacity to heal and Feel Calmer.

When we live a life of reflection, we open ourselves to the rich depths of life's possibilities. We move away from the needless suffering of unresolved pain . I help my clients examine the intricacies of their minds and relationships in a warm, supportive, nonjudgmental environment. I help them make sense of their lives and their histories to understand how they impact their current challenges. Together we build a refuge where strengths are discovered and life becomes more joyful. My training is psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, however, my style always depends on the needs of my clients and the relationship we create.

Whether it is life disruptions, anxiety, relationship issues, fear, trauma, depression or emotional disturbance, I give you immediate tools to initiate your becoming more in charge of yourself and your life. Utilizing both traditional (cognitive-behavioral, gestalt, body focusing, communication training, voice dialogue, etc.) and/or nontraditional tools (yoga breathing, mindfulness training, feldenkreis, spiritual centering exercises) in a safe, calm, supportive environment, I help you release what is creating disturbance, pain , limitation, alienation or relationship conflict so you can move into a new level of relating and being with yourself and your world.

Hi, I’m Dr. Melissa Murren, a clinical psychologist specialized in health and wellness. I help people who are undergoing life transitions, such as mid life, body image, identity issues, changes caused by illness , disability, chronic pain , caregiving, grief and loss, or other changes that are causing you to question who you are and where you fit in. If life is changing too fast and you're having trouble making sense of it all, I can help. If you're experiencing anxiety, depression, sleepless nights, difficulty concentrating, feeling worried and preoccupied, or otherwise just don't feel like yourself, I can help.

Psychotherapy is a conjoint effort between therapist and client to bring issues and behaviors up to the surface, to clarify, where and how everything from depression to anxiety plays a part in your life. First then will symptoms like self-injury, substance abuse, anger and pain subside so you can become more in control over your life and feel harmony.

Life can be tough or overwhelming at times. It is only natural to shut down, become numb or lash out at others. You can regain the vitality and joy. Find the courage it takes to work it through. Together we can create a safe environment to explore, uncover and rebuild your authentic self. Pain is inevitable. Attempting to avoid pain creates suffering. Facing it builds courage, strength and resilience. Choose your life!

I am passionate about helping people break through and identify patterns that cover up their true gifts and talents. Often people find themselves stuck and in a rut, struggling with depression, anxiety and addiction, continually repeating behaviors, or unfulfilling relationships at home or work. In a non-judgmental and compassionate way, it is my goal to help you uncover and transform those issues that keep you stuck and/or in pain , and rediscover a passion for life.

In 2012, Dr. Ron Kaufman leased his first BrainPaint® computer in hopes of overcoming career-ending pain . Two months later he was fully ambulatory. He decided to see what it might do for others. He helped a veteran overcome 35 years of severe PTSD, (his psychiatrist halved his meds, then halved them again). His two sons learned were able to discontinue their ADHD medications. Their cousins enjoyed similar results. Because of his successes with neurofeedback, Dr. Kaufman opened clinics where others could enjoy the benefits of psychotherapy and neurofeedback treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, chronic pain and substance abuse.

Imagine a life fulfilled! Hard to do? Your feelings of confusion, pain , fear, being stuck, or overwhelmed, are real. But, you can overcome them! There are times, in everyone's life, when assistance is needed to help live the life you want and deserve. I can help you.

Everybody gets depressed or anxious and overwhelmed at times. Our relationships are challenging and our lives leave a lot to be desired. We often feel stuck in past pain and are unable to enjoy the present. Those feelings are universal, they are part of being human. It is important to see them not as limitations, but as a stimulus to change and personal growth. There is a way to feel better no matter what your situation is.

Therapy is about exploring transitions and losses. A loss of a relationship, a job, a lifestyle, a home, a friendship, or the loss of a dream or expectation. We dismiss some losses, not realizing their impact on our day to day life. We may suffer from anxiety or depression without understanding why they are present. Other losses, however, can be so traumatic that we lose our ability to heal from them. Moreover, we find ourselves repeating the same mistakes, not being able to transform ourselves and change our behavior, even when we realize that our reactions are unhelpful and self-destructive. We wonder whether life will be better.

The center provides counseling for children, adults, couples and families on a sliding scale fee structure. You will find that our depth psychological approach honors your individuality and encourages a deeper exploration of ones inner world. There is great wisdom in these depths. With over 30 therapists on staff, we are able to offer guidance with an array of presenting challenges such as depression,anxiety,loss, trauma and relationship issues. Our services are offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Farsi, Armenian, German, Romanian and Arabic. Our center is LGBT affirmative.

Not feeling yourself? Do you want to move past your emotional pain ? Are you having relationship problems? In a safe environment, I help adults and adolescents manage their stress, anxiety and mood symptoms, accept and move through life transitions, and improve their relationships. I assist individuals, couples and family members in gaining awareness of past and present influences on their beliefs and how they relate to others. My therapy work is collaborative with couples, helping partners improve their communication and replace their highly charged emotional interactions with new productive, healthier dialogues.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I have been successful helping many people cope with painful emotions and achieve personal growth. My goal is to equip you with tools to use your strengths to thrive in life. I do not know what has driven you to seek the support from a therapist--maybe you have experienced a loss, been diagnosed with a medical condition, or have had a difficult life transition. Whatever it may be, it can be very scary asking for help. But when you take that first step, I assure you it will be rewarding.

When an individual or a couple comes to me for help, I know that life has gotten tough! I carefully ask myself "what is really needed here? What needs to change? It takes courage and commitment to work on emotional and life problems and I respect this courage. I help people suffering from depression, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, addiction, and life transitions. I help clients understand themselves and their relationships better, then turn this insight into "real life" changes in how they deal with others and how they feel about themselves, so that their lives are less painful and more fulfilling, effective and satisfying!

Our past presents itself in the present moment. Whether it is anxiety, panic, pain , addictions, trauma, loss or grief - we explore together what gets in the way of living a life worth living. I integrate Somatic Experiencing, NARM, EMDR, Voice Dialogue, and mindfulness practices into a multidimensional approach to discover how to help you realize a satisfying life, the life you want to live.