Psychodynamic Therapists in Westlake Village, CA
I integrate evidence‑based approaches such as CBT, Psychodynamic therapy, DBT, Experiential methods, and the Comprehensive Resource Model.
Finding a therapist you feel safe and comfortable with is essential. My approach blends genuine connection with thoughtful, evidence‑based intervention to support you in creating a healthy and meaningful life. I work from a holistic, integrative perspective that honors all dimensions of health. I see every person who walks into therapy as inherently valuable, deserving care that is tailored to their unique needs. Your personality, cultural background, and family context will always be respected and integrated into our work together.
I integrate evidence‑based approaches such as CBT, Psychodynamic therapy, DBT, Experiential methods, and the Comprehensive Resource Model.
Finding a therapist you feel safe and comfortable with is essential. My approach blends genuine connection with thoughtful, evidence‑based intervention to support you in creating a healthy and meaningful life. I work from a holistic, integrative perspective that honors all dimensions of health. I see every person who walks into therapy as inherently valuable, deserving care that is tailored to their unique needs. Your personality, cultural background, and family context will always be respected and integrated into our work together.
Are you feeling stuck? Or down on life? You deserve to feel happiness and support. Call me. I can help you get back on track. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with experience providing individual, couples, family and group therapy to diverse clients. At the root of my work is a commitment to give you the tools to navigate the complexities of life with hope. Therapy provides the opportunity to make a real connection and overcome conflict and heal trauma. Shine a light in even the darkest of corners!
Are you feeling stuck? Or down on life? You deserve to feel happiness and support. Call me. I can help you get back on track. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with experience providing individual, couples, family and group therapy to diverse clients. At the root of my work is a commitment to give you the tools to navigate the complexities of life with hope. Therapy provides the opportunity to make a real connection and overcome conflict and heal trauma. Shine a light in even the darkest of corners!
My ideal client is someone who is struggling with unhealthy patterns in their life which are blocking them from living a life of joy and contentment. These patterns may be from past events which continue to cycle throughout your life or they may be from current stressors which have created emotional issues such as sadness, anxiety, depression or anger. I work to create a safe space for you to explore your emotional experienes and thought patterns and release these dysfunctional patterns which are not working for you. Then we together can work on ways to create new patterns for successful living.
My ideal client is someone who is struggling with unhealthy patterns in their life which are blocking them from living a life of joy and contentment. These patterns may be from past events which continue to cycle throughout your life or they may be from current stressors which have created emotional issues such as sadness, anxiety, depression or anger. I work to create a safe space for you to explore your emotional experienes and thought patterns and release these dysfunctional patterns which are not working for you. Then we together can work on ways to create new patterns for successful living.
For some, the idea of starting therapy can feel a bit intimidating. From the start, I strive to create a comfortable space where you can feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings. Listening to the wants and needs of my clients is extremely important to me, and I believe a requirement of successful treatment. My goal in promoting a safe and trusting environment is to build a secure therapeutic relationship between myself and the client. Working from this foundation of trust and respect, change can and does happen.
For some, the idea of starting therapy can feel a bit intimidating. From the start, I strive to create a comfortable space where you can feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings. Listening to the wants and needs of my clients is extremely important to me, and I believe a requirement of successful treatment. My goal in promoting a safe and trusting environment is to build a secure therapeutic relationship between myself and the client. Working from this foundation of trust and respect, change can and does happen.
I draw from various therapeutic modalities including Narrative Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and mindfulness practices.
Are you navigating a significant loss or life transition and feeling unsure of who you are in this new season? Loss isn’t limited to death. It can be the end of a relationship, pregnancy loss, a career shift, becoming a spouse or parent, empty nesting, or questioning your identity as life changes. You may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, or emotionally exhausted while still trying to show up for everyone else. You want clarity, stability, and space to process what’s changed—without feeling rushed or misunderstood.
I draw from various therapeutic modalities including Narrative Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and mindfulness practices.
Are you navigating a significant loss or life transition and feeling unsure of who you are in this new season? Loss isn’t limited to death. It can be the end of a relationship, pregnancy loss, a career shift, becoming a spouse or parent, empty nesting, or questioning your identity as life changes. You may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, or emotionally exhausted while still trying to show up for everyone else. You want clarity, stability, and space to process what’s changed—without feeling rushed or misunderstood.
I believe that whatever the reason you are seeking therapy, successful transformation requires a strong foundation of trust and openness between you and your therapist. With the genuine love and respect I have for all people, I establish this type of foundation, providing the warm & accepting environment needed to create a meaningful therapeutic experience... Together, we can uncover habitual self-defeating behaviors and attitudes that are keeping you stuck in a world where happiness & hopefulness have disappeared. With commitment to treatment and a desire to change, the happiness you thought was gone forever can resurface, & you will be able to find peace & contentment once again.
I believe that whatever the reason you are seeking therapy, successful transformation requires a strong foundation of trust and openness between you and your therapist. With the genuine love and respect I have for all people, I establish this type of foundation, providing the warm & accepting environment needed to create a meaningful therapeutic experience... Together, we can uncover habitual self-defeating behaviors and attitudes that are keeping you stuck in a world where happiness & hopefulness have disappeared. With commitment to treatment and a desire to change, the happiness you thought was gone forever can resurface, & you will be able to find peace & contentment once again.
Wanting to feel more like yourself again? I work with people experiencing life changes and challenges, including stepmoms, stepfamilies and children of separation or divorce. Together, we'll explore what’s keeping you stuck and preventing you from growth and change in the midst of life's difficulties by understanding your personal challenges, building insight into your patterns of relating and communicating, developing practical tools, and strengthening your sense of self so you can create more meaningful relationships with yourself and others.
Wanting to feel more like yourself again? I work with people experiencing life changes and challenges, including stepmoms, stepfamilies and children of separation or divorce. Together, we'll explore what’s keeping you stuck and preventing you from growth and change in the midst of life's difficulties by understanding your personal challenges, building insight into your patterns of relating and communicating, developing practical tools, and strengthening your sense of self so you can create more meaningful relationships with yourself and others.
Life and its problems, past and present, can cause anxiety, depression, and grief. Substance abuse seems like that's the only thing that gets you through the day, but that is temporary and leads to more problems. Feeling safe, connected, and knowing that you will not be judged, leads to honesty and trust. You can share your story and issues that are keeping you stuck. Learning and understanding coping skills in dealing with past issues, understanding the process of grief, and the cycle of substance abuse, will give you an understanding of what has kept you from moving forward. Let's work together to help you understand you,
Life and its problems, past and present, can cause anxiety, depression, and grief. Substance abuse seems like that's the only thing that gets you through the day, but that is temporary and leads to more problems. Feeling safe, connected, and knowing that you will not be judged, leads to honesty and trust. You can share your story and issues that are keeping you stuck. Learning and understanding coping skills in dealing with past issues, understanding the process of grief, and the cycle of substance abuse, will give you an understanding of what has kept you from moving forward. Let's work together to help you understand you,
You handle a lot, show up for everyone, and from the outside, things look fine—but internally, you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Your mind doesn’t slow down, you’re constantly “on,” and it’s getting harder to keep up.
I work with adults who look like they have it together but feel exhausted underneath—especially those in fast-paced, high-pressure environments like entrepreneurship, startups and tech.
You handle a lot, show up for everyone, and from the outside, things look fine—but internally, you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Your mind doesn’t slow down, you’re constantly “on,” and it’s getting harder to keep up.
I work with adults who look like they have it together but feel exhausted underneath—especially those in fast-paced, high-pressure environments like entrepreneurship, startups and tech.
Through a psychodynamic approach, I examine your history and family of origin to understand how it affects your current relationships and choices.
I help clients gain the insight and clarity needed to make significant changes, build confidence, and develop healthy communication skills and relationships for a more fulfilling life. I have the tools and understanding to help you clarify your goals, understand your past, and get on the road to a better, brighter future.
Through a psychodynamic approach, I examine your history and family of origin to understand how it affects your current relationships and choices.
I help clients gain the insight and clarity needed to make significant changes, build confidence, and develop healthy communication skills and relationships for a more fulfilling life. I have the tools and understanding to help you clarify your goals, understand your past, and get on the road to a better, brighter future.
You grew up feeling unseen. Maybe your mother was critical, distant, overwhelmed, or emotionally absent. You learned to be self-reliant, high-achieving, or the “good girl” who didn’t need much. Now you’re exhausted. You struggle with boundaries, guilt, anxiety, or feeling like you’re never enough. You want to heal the wounds beneath your reactions, feel secure in who you are, and become a calm, emotionally present mother that your child feels safe with.
You grew up feeling unseen. Maybe your mother was critical, distant, overwhelmed, or emotionally absent. You learned to be self-reliant, high-achieving, or the “good girl” who didn’t need much. Now you’re exhausted. You struggle with boundaries, guilt, anxiety, or feeling like you’re never enough. You want to heal the wounds beneath your reactions, feel secure in who you are, and become a calm, emotionally present mother that your child feels safe with.
Hannah Alexandra
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
3 Endorsed
Westlake Village, CA 91362
My aim is to reach the emotionally intense, insightful, and often misunderstood. You may struggle with substance use, shame, trauma, and/or emotional dysregulation. On the surface, you are seeking relief; and underneath, you simply want to feel at home in yourself. You may feel tired of running and curious about what else life has to offer. Together, I hope to uncover, discover and utilize perceived faults in order to build your ideal character.
My aim is to reach the emotionally intense, insightful, and often misunderstood. You may struggle with substance use, shame, trauma, and/or emotional dysregulation. On the surface, you are seeking relief; and underneath, you simply want to feel at home in yourself. You may feel tired of running and curious about what else life has to offer. Together, I hope to uncover, discover and utilize perceived faults in order to build your ideal character.
Do you overthink, replay conversations, revisit past decisions, predict problems, spiral, or get stuck in patterns that create conflict or keep you avoiding what needs to be addressed until it is too late?
I’m a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC). My approach is direct, caring, collaborative, and solution focused. I help adults dealing with anxiety and overthinking, depression, relationship stress, and struggles with focus, planning, procrastination, and follow-through.
Do you overthink, replay conversations, revisit past decisions, predict problems, spiral, or get stuck in patterns that create conflict or keep you avoiding what needs to be addressed until it is too late?
I’m a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC). My approach is direct, caring, collaborative, and solution focused. I help adults dealing with anxiety and overthinking, depression, relationship stress, and struggles with focus, planning, procrastination, and follow-through.
My approach combines somatic, behavioral, psychodynamic, and relational therapies.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Sometimes, our inner patterns and responses hold us back in ways we don’t even realize. My role is to help you identify those patterns and gently guide you toward a life that feels lighter, more fulfilling, and more aligned with who you truly are. We’ll take a holistic approach, working together to develop tools that help you navigate uncertainty, stress, and personal growth with more confidence and ease.
My approach combines somatic, behavioral, psychodynamic, and relational therapies.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Sometimes, our inner patterns and responses hold us back in ways we don’t even realize. My role is to help you identify those patterns and gently guide you toward a life that feels lighter, more fulfilling, and more aligned with who you truly are. We’ll take a holistic approach, working together to develop tools that help you navigate uncertainty, stress, and personal growth with more confidence and ease.
Have you ever feel trapped with no way out? Imagine using your distress as a way to gain a new perspective. Sometimes the problems we encounter lead us to a better understanding of ourselves and our potential. Therapy opens our eyes to alternative options and helps us view our circumstances from a different vantage point. As a psychologist and marriage and family therapist, I have enjoyed helping clients work through difficult situations for over 30 years. My expertise in mood disorders is especially useful in identifying and managing depression and anxiety. I also specialize in understanding and resolving relationship issues.
Have you ever feel trapped with no way out? Imagine using your distress as a way to gain a new perspective. Sometimes the problems we encounter lead us to a better understanding of ourselves and our potential. Therapy opens our eyes to alternative options and helps us view our circumstances from a different vantage point. As a psychologist and marriage and family therapist, I have enjoyed helping clients work through difficult situations for over 30 years. My expertise in mood disorders is especially useful in identifying and managing depression and anxiety. I also specialize in understanding and resolving relationship issues.
We all struggle with something in this life. Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward can be exhausting. Many adults struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, school stress, financial hardship, relationship difficulties, or work-related pressure, and at times it can feel like there’s no way out. Sometimes you cannot talk to friends or family about your problems because they may not understand, they think they know what is best for you, or you fear being judged. This is why 1 Samuel 16:7 inspires and guides me as a social worker.
We all struggle with something in this life. Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward can be exhausting. Many adults struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, school stress, financial hardship, relationship difficulties, or work-related pressure, and at times it can feel like there’s no way out. Sometimes you cannot talk to friends or family about your problems because they may not understand, they think they know what is best for you, or you fear being judged. This is why 1 Samuel 16:7 inspires and guides me as a social worker.
Irma Sommerfeld, LCSW, a Professional Corporation
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
2 Endorsed
Westlake Village, CA 91362
I utilize a collaborative approach to therapy (which includes modalities such as psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as an interpersonal, and a client-centered perspective) to help empower clients to find their own meaning, happiness, and peace in their lives.
I believe that healing, growth, and change are available to all people, regardless of their present circumstances or their past misfortune. I help clients identify their challenges and their goals, and to find viable ways to help each client make changes along their psychological, social, and biological axes of life. I believe that no one is an island and that there is no shame in reaching out for help. I seek to provide an empathetic and intellectually engaging environment to cultivate insights and promote growth.
I utilize a collaborative approach to therapy (which includes modalities such as psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as an interpersonal, and a client-centered perspective) to help empower clients to find their own meaning, happiness, and peace in their lives.
I believe that healing, growth, and change are available to all people, regardless of their present circumstances or their past misfortune. I help clients identify their challenges and their goals, and to find viable ways to help each client make changes along their psychological, social, and biological axes of life. I believe that no one is an island and that there is no shame in reaching out for help. I seek to provide an empathetic and intellectually engaging environment to cultivate insights and promote growth.
I use a blend of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy.
Looking for a therapist who truly gets you—someone sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, poly and kink-savvy, who also understands the complexities and nuances of OCD? If you’re tired of feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and stuck in the same old thought loops, you’re not alone. It’s time to embrace the parts of your identity you’ve been hesitant to explore because of what others might think and challenge those anxious thoughts. You’re ready for change, and you deserve a supportive, non-judgmental space to make it happen.
I use a blend of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy.
Looking for a therapist who truly gets you—someone sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, poly and kink-savvy, who also understands the complexities and nuances of OCD? If you’re tired of feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and stuck in the same old thought loops, you’re not alone. It’s time to embrace the parts of your identity you’ve been hesitant to explore because of what others might think and challenge those anxious thoughts. You’re ready for change, and you deserve a supportive, non-judgmental space to make it happen.
Do you suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, or relationship problems that make you feel stuck? Do you feel alone in your relationships and struggle with communication, emotional connection, trust, and lack of physical intimacy? Do you want to break negative patterns in your relationships? Are you looking to rediscover love or are experiencing difficulties adjusting to separation, divorce, chronic illness, or transitions in your life? In a safe place, with warmth, empathy, and openness, I can help you take control of your life to make meaningful changes. I will support you to feel empowered and whole again.
Do you suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, or relationship problems that make you feel stuck? Do you feel alone in your relationships and struggle with communication, emotional connection, trust, and lack of physical intimacy? Do you want to break negative patterns in your relationships? Are you looking to rediscover love or are experiencing difficulties adjusting to separation, divorce, chronic illness, or transitions in your life? In a safe place, with warmth, empathy, and openness, I can help you take control of your life to make meaningful changes. I will support you to feel empowered and whole again.
My therapeutic methodologies are evidence-based practices such as EMDR, Mindfulness, and CBT. Deep Brain Orienting (DBR) is not yet celebrated as evidence-based, but present research and results are directing it. I am a certified EMDR therapist. I help adult individuals who have experienced PTSD, childhood and adult traumas, rape, depression, anxiety, dissociative episodes, sexual addictions, eating disorders, pain management. The treatment is structured to help you heal and integrate your past experiences, returning you to wholeness and healing. Please note: I am out of TriCare's network but can provide a superbill.
My therapeutic methodologies are evidence-based practices such as EMDR, Mindfulness, and CBT. Deep Brain Orienting (DBR) is not yet celebrated as evidence-based, but present research and results are directing it. I am a certified EMDR therapist. I help adult individuals who have experienced PTSD, childhood and adult traumas, rape, depression, anxiety, dissociative episodes, sexual addictions, eating disorders, pain management. The treatment is structured to help you heal and integrate your past experiences, returning you to wholeness and healing. Please note: I am out of TriCare's network but can provide a superbill.
See more therapy options for Westlake Village
Nearby Psychodynamic Therapists Searches for Westlake Village
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Psychodynamic Therapists
Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Studies have found psychodynamic therapy to be effective in treating conditions like social anxiety, eating disorders, chronic pain, some personality disorders, and depression; indeed, some studies have found it to be just as effective as CBT or medication. What’s more, several studies have found that the benefits of psychodynamic therapy tend to endure—even grow—long after treatment has ended.
How long does psychodynamic therapy last?
Unlike CBT and other more structured forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy tends to be open-ended and may not be limited to a set number of sessions. It is common for clients to be in therapy for a year or longer and to see their therapist one to three times a week, though the exact schedule and timeline may vary depending on a client’s challenges and progress. However, brief psychodynamic therapy is available, which tends to be more goal-oriented and typically unfolds over 16 to 30 sessions.
Does psychodynamic therapy work?
Research finds that psychodynamic therapy can help someone manage or reduce symptoms of diagnosable mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The modality may also offer a range of benefits that are harder to measure but just as valuable—such as increased self-worth or healthier relationships. While no therapy type will work for everyone, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be highly effective.
What are the limitations of psychodynamic therapy?
Some meta-analyses have concluded that there is little evidence to suggest that psychodynamic therapy can effectively treat certain mental health conditions such as PTSD, OCD, or psychosis, though it is sometimes used to do so. More broadly, the open-ended, free-association structure of psychodynamic therapy may be frustrating for clients who prefer a more structured, time-limited, or goal-oriented approach.