Therapists in West Los Angeles, CA

I work with clients struggling with severe trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety and a variety of life challenges. I have seen many learn to sleep deeply, break free of repetitive worrying thoughts, get excited about life and increase their health and energy. I feel honored that people share their stories with me and have found that no situation is ever without hope. Life can be so much better. If you choose to share with me, we will find a way together.

I am passionate about helping Individuals and families create change in their lives by feeling safe enough to face their fears by building strength and confidence in the therapy space where ultimately they gain the tools to solve their own problems. Are you overwhelmed by a crisis that appears unsolvable? Do you fear your life is spinning out of control? Life is challenging and we can feel overwhelmed. With support and guidance, a solution is possible.

I believe in creating a safe and nurturing environment by providing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and a genuine approach in the treatment process. I utilize a variety of treatment modalities in order to meet each individuals unique needs. During my work in the past 14 years, I have been trained to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, relational/intimacy issues, and grief. I also integrate mindfulness meditation, CBT, healthy living practices and family systems techniques as a strategy to facilitate growth, healing, and balance. When we are able to rise out of our suffering, we can then begin the process of self-awakening.

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver's compelling question suggests that perhaps now is the time to give yourself the gift of being you--authentically and with joy. Perhaps you struggle with your relationships, your sense of purpose, your emotions, your family, your sexuality. Together we can explore your thoughts and feelings, the history that produced them, and the changes you can make to feel more fully alive--to feel seen, to feel understood, to know that you are worthy of love and able to make deep connections with others.

Building Emotional Resilience is key towards achieving a balanced life. You may be a parent dealing with the challenge of a defiant child, or a spouse suffering with a critical or distant partner. Perhaps you're a high-powered professional grappling with the demands of career and family, or a sensitive teenager navigating the precarious path towards young adulthood. In either case, whether it's relationship issues, difficult feelings, worrying thoughts, unwanted behaviors, or even just searching for answers to some of life's biggest questions, I can provide guidance, support, and wisdom towards realizing obtainable solutions.

Addiction cannot be overcome simply by knowing what it is or acknowledging its presence in your life. Nor can it be squashed by sheer will power. Many of our clients say they have felt that they could "just handle this by themselves," but once they reached out to us and got the help they needed, they realized that even if you can "just handle this alone," no one, including you, should ever have to. By reaching out to us, you are stating you are ready to bring balance back to your life.

Our world's been shaken up in ways we've never imagined. We're understandably anxious, trying to cope. Jobs, family, illness. How do we hold it together? Are you looking for someone to talk to who can walk through this labyrinth with you? I specialize in trauma, perhaps I can help. You may be having problems with your partner, kids or parents-- most significantly with yourself. If your pain is manifesting as panic attacks or addictions, if there's grief or you're in parent/child conflicts at any age, therapy may help. I work with individuals and couples to enhance communication, creativity and a core sense of self.

**No need to keep on being tortured by your anxiety or panic attacks.** If you're reading this, it's likely you've reached bottom, and you've decided it's time for a helping hand- from someone who won't judge. Life's been hard enough. You might be wondering, "Who will -actually- help? Is there even any point? I can't afford to continue in this direction. Will I feel comfortable talking to someone I've just met?" After eighteen years of providing psychotherapy, I have a reputation for being down-to-earth, and easy to talk to, but have a knack for getting to the heart of the matter quickly.

As a therapist, I value and create a safe, nurturing, and empathic environment for individuals, couples, and families to explore underlying issues to relationship problems, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and addictions. I am trained & certified in EMDR, which helps a person to quickly move through recent and past trauma and successfully overcome symptoms related to PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). We'll work together to help you find a healthy balance between body, mind, and emotions that allow for success in relationships and work, self-empowerment, and to live a life full of hope, meaning, and purpose.

My work as a marriage and family therapist, clinical art therapist and somatic psychotherapist is integrative, interactive, and holistic. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in private practice, residential and outpatient treatment, I offer pathways to healing and well-being within the context of a safe and supportive environment. In my work with individuals, couples and families, treatment specialties include the healing of communication and relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, family and personal illness, grief and loss.

Things aren't right. You feel like something is off, but you can't put your finger on it. Maybe your friends and family don't understand, maybe you're so isolated that you feel like you don't have friends or family anymore. You can't concentrate because something- sadness, anxiety, a relationship, loss, a substance - keeps intruding into your thinking. And you may have tried everything you can think of, but this...mood, this feeling, this thing you do that no one can know about, you just can't get over it. You want to feel better, but nothing works. You're not alone. There is help for you.

Dr. Bettye Ford's practice has focused on helping teens, families, and individuals work through various issues associated with trauma and loss. Her trauma informed approach incorporates not only understanding of the current triggering event(s), but also the family, cultural, and historical elements that can contribute layers of complexity and multi'-generational components.

Marriage and Family Therapy is a second career for me and one that I was drawn to by a deeply held conviction that people are capable of change. My passion for therapy is founded on the belief that we do not have to be bound by our wounds or fears. While these are important parts of our journey, they do not have to define who we are nor who we can become.

Being a human is hard! Managing relationships (familial, romantic, platonic, professional) with all kinds of different personalities, feeling comfortable and confident in our careers, finding healthy and lasting love, and feeling good about ourselves through it all can feel like an impossible task. We were never given a manual on how to do this! And while, as humans, we are incredibly resilient and have somehow found a way to get this far, some of the coping mechanisms we have developed throughout our lives may not be serving us anymore. I help clients gain insight into their thoughts & behaviors to help improve their outcomes.

My ideal client is someone who is ready to do the work to improve their life and relationships. An individual, couple or family that is tired of repeating the same negative patterns and is looking to get some assistance in finding their best path forward.

People thrive when they feel a sense of purpose and connection to themselves and others. Most people come to see me when something is missing from their lives, be it purpose, connection, or both. Depression and/or anxiety may be at work. Anger or grief could consume more of their time and focus. Others feel stagnant, confused, expressing a lack of motivation and self-worth. Finding a safe place to explore your current struggles is possible in therapy. To achieve the meaningful changes you desire, seeking professional help is an effective option.

Seeking psychotherapy can be intimidating as you are taking a courageous step. Depending on your needs, expectations, and values, my therapeutic approach is integrative. I look forward to supporting your process of healing, finding solutions, making positive changes, and creating a life you hope for. I work with individuals with a wide range of issues including stress management, depression, anxiety, trauma, family/relationship issues, addiction, identity development, acculturation, grief, and life transitions, among others. I also provide psychotherapy in Japanese.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), my primary focus is helping individuals, couples, and families navigate the complexities of their relationships and emotional well-being. All healing occurs in relationship, and I am dedicated to fostering a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic environment where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

My sincere passion lies in accompanying individuals on their journey through life experiences. As we encounter frequent decision-making moments, our choices (whether conscious or not) have the power to shape the course of our lives. Embarking on the dynamic exploration of identifying your core values and beliefs is a transformative process. Engaging with internal exploration can revolutionize your emotional processing, enhance your ability to weigh options, and greatly elevate overall decision-making skills. I firmly believe that by fostering human connections/relationships, we can collectively rejuvenate perspectives and behaviors.