Therapists in Los Angeles, CA

Everybody has a story to tell, and I want to hear yours. I believe you are the expert in your experience, and together we can navigate your life with more understanding and ease. My role is to help empower you to become your authentic self using curiosity and empathy. I aim to create a nonjudgmental environment where you can speak freely about your anxiety, relationship issues, thoughts, impulses, secrets, sadness, desires, happiness, work stress, ideas, grief, life transitions, low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and past/current traumas.

I offer a warm, honest partnership for anyone who is struggling emotionally. People come in feeling alone in some way: overwhelmed, unfulfilled, blocked creatively or convinced that everyone else in the world is different from them. Or, maybe you are grieving the break-up of a relationship, marriage, or the death of someone close. Feeling alone in your pain is often the worst part.

Are you struggling with overwhelming emotions? Have you experienced loss, trauma, or other challenges? I am here for you, to help you overcome the emotional pain of past experiences. As a teen, I myself personally experienced the devastating losses of multiple loved ones. Through my own heartbreak, emotional pain, and grief, I was even more inspired to comfort and sit with others during their most challenging times. Funny thing is: I knew I wanted to become a psychotherapist before I even know what a therapist was! I feel so lucky today to counsel clients with such diverse and different stories, backgrounds, and experiences.

Welcome! Therapy should be practical and approachable. As a relationship specialist, my collaborative focus is on the "why" of where you are. When we understand why, we can navigate the hurdles getting in your way with insight and healthy coping skills that are effective. You will not be alone in this; we will be working together on expanding awareness of your thoughts, feelings and ways that you engage with the world. This process opens up space for healthier, more intentional relationships that you can actually enjoy (including the one with yourself)! At the core of my practice is an authentic, warm and compassionate presence.

Have you lost someone you love? Maybe they passed away, or maybe they are still around, but the situation has changed. You might feel lost and confused, as though you are a stranger in your own life. Standing in the sun, you feel chilled and alone. Or you may feel relatively well, but deep down you know there is "a lot to process". You can stuff your feelings, but it won't be so simple to move on. You want to feel healthy, comfortable, to UNDERSTAND, and know that you can not only survive this experience but also transform it, transcend it, and make peace with your demons.

If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that we all need and thrive in relationships. Therapy is an important tool for developing and nurturing positive relationships, both with others and with yourself. Using my training as a marriage and family therapist, my life experiences and love of people, I foster a safe, warm, non-judgmental environment. I believe that it is not the challenges or traumas that form us, but how we respond to them. Collaboratively we can build resiliency as we discover and heal the obstacles that interfere with you having a deeper, more meaningful life.

Are you experiencing grief and loss? Are you navigating health challenges or chronic illness? Do you have parts of yourself that are difficult to share with others? Have you experienced medical or relational/attachment trauma? You've come to the right place. As a queer therapist with chronic illness, I draw from both professional and lived experiences. I believe that therapy can be a reparative experience and that the relationship between a therapist and client can foster immense change and growth. I see clients both via telehealth or outdoors at a local park.

I offer support to survivors of traumatic experiences, individuals who have experienced a loss or separation from a loved one, as well as those suffering from depression and anxiety. Emotional pain is as common as physical pain, and can be truly agonizing.

By working together and considering your input, we can effectively tackle any concerns and fulfill your needs to achieve your goals. As Viktor Frankl stated, "Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way."

Thank you for taking the first step and being here. Are you experiencing hurdles in life such as work stress, family issues, or relationship difficulties/issues? Do you suffer from anxiety, depression, trauma or grief? Do you often find it difficult to find the words to describe your feelings? Or to open up to people and feel a connection with them? Most likely, you've answered yes to at least one of these areas of concern. You are not alone; in the emotions, experiences, and pain that comes with life. I believe that every person who seeks counseling has their own answers to their unique situations.

There is really no issue to big or too small to bring to therapy. I have seen people go through so much positive change because of their work in therapy and think it is such an awesome process. Just because we can go through life in survival mode and bouncing off our ups and downs, does not mean we should. I love to talk about everything therapy, so I encourage people to reach out.

My name is Archelena McDonald (the preferred name is Dee Dee), and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Los Angeles, California, and serving clients statewide via telehealth. I currently work with adults and specialize in providing treatment for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychosis, grief and loss, PTSD, and couples/family counseling. Therapy is never a "one size fits all," so I try to partner with my client to help identify desired areas of growth.

If you’re tired of the story you’re telling yourself, let’s find another one together. I love to help redefine old narratives that may have been holding you back, and I am grateful to help write a brand new story of you. Sometimes, we can tell ourselves scary stories about the future and replay the painful traumas of our past. Together, we can look at your stories and see their strengths and their challenges and how you can build a new narrative for your life. I like to help clients find their true North Star to guide them to a new meaning and purpose.

Are you struggling through a tough transition in your life? Do you feel alone, confused, or defeated? Maybe you have recently lost a loved one, or are grieving your own illness. Maybe you feel depressed or anxious because of a major life change or lack of change, feeling stuck in your situation. Whether you are family, couple or individual searching for a trusted person to listen and guide you, I am here to help you develop your inner strength and reach your full potential.

One of my greatest passions in life is my work as a therapist. With warmth, humor and compassion, I help others to heal and move forward in their lives. Perhaps, you are feeling "stuck"- overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety or depression, relationship problems, issues related to aging or chronic illness. loneliness, grief or a vague sense that something feels "off." Coping with life's daily stresses can take a toll on your quality of life, making it increasingly difficult to find & experience meaning and joy. These are difficult times, difficult issues, & sometimes it's hard to get through them alone.

When life circumstances are overwhelming or painful, psychotherapy can make all the difference. I offer support to individuals seeking deeper insight into their interior lives and relationship patterns, and in finding meaning in life’s challenges and uncertainties. I work well with people who want to understand themselves better through an interactive process that invites lasting change. I am a good match for people who are complex, creative, analytical, or sensitive, or for anyone who might identify as an outsider.

Does anxiety, depression, stress, grief and/or addiction get in your way of living a full life? Is it affecting your health, family, work, school or relationships? When you are faced with such challenges, you may feel stuck, isolated, overwhelmed, hopeless or lost. You are not alone. We all feel like that sometimes. You can have your life back but it can be hard to do it alone. I'm here for you to provide a safe space and support you need. I will be the guiding light to help you move towards the positive changes. Together, we can find ways to reclaim your life.

I know that beginning psychotherapy can feel scary. I hope to provide a space that feels warm, non-judgmental and helpful. I tend to work with adults, adolescents and couples who are experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and many of the other effects and challenges of the world we live in. Overall, I believe that navigating these experiences feels better when we get to work through them with someone else.

Hi I'm Kameron Associate Clinical Social Worker who has worked in Intensive Inpatient, Outpatient & Enhanced Residential Service facilities. I have spent my time serving adults who were living in transitional housing shelters & have been struggling with anger management, anxiety, stress, grief, and PTSD through assault or sexual abuse. I have also worked with individuals who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, & varying Personality Disorders. I am highly passionate and privileged to be able to provide my therapeutic services to individuals looking to start or continue their journey!