I am a trauma specialist working with developmental, relational, and shock traumas. Relationship is what we long for from our deep selves. From birth, our instinct is to connect in order to feel safety, comfort, and wholeness. This yearning moves with us throughout our lives. Connection gives us a sense of belonging and of being "okay". Be it the relationship with self, body, others, and life experience, the connection and flow of it is vital for healthy functioning. When the connection is blocked, frozen, or severed, a whole-self cannot thrive. Reconnecting is essential for our authentic self-expressions.

You may be seeking therapy for many reasons, and it can be overwhelming to begin the process of therapy. As your therapist, I will engage you in becoming comfortable with exploring your inner self. My work with you is aimed at increasing your awareness of processes that lead to suffering and ultimately increasing your enjoyment and satisfaction in life. We will explore what is working for you and where you get stuck, how you relate to others and yourself, and your coping mechanisms, which all affect how you're feeling on a daily basis. Learning to understand and flow with your emotions will probably be a focus in our work together.

Being assertive seems easy in theory. You tell someone what you're thinking, feeling, or wanting. You express yourself in a clear, firm, and respectful way. You set clear physical and emotional boundaries. Unfortunately, if you've experienced childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, or harsh punishment, being assertive can be really difficult. You may fear upsetting other people. You may fear coming across as 'aggressive.' You may have a hard time expressing your thoughts and feelings.

As your therapist, I can help you find the solutions to problems that seem impossible for you to solve. I can help you to reduce those symptoms that brought you to me in the first place. Together we can develop behavioral changes that make life more enjoyable. Once involved, you will feel less helpless, overwhelmed, or frightened. I provide a safe space in which you can articulate your difficulties, and support for the efforts you are willing to make to turn things around. From here you will find the opportunity for personal growth. Please visit http://therapy.borgardt.com.

Families are greatly impacted by betrayal, infidelity and sex addiction. As parents struggle to orient themselves to a new reality in the face of betrayal, it can be overwhelming and painful for a parent to recognize the immediate and future impact on their children. Well meaning parents can unintentionally make serious mistakes in managing the family during this painful and confusing time. You may have questions at this time such as “How is the tension in the household affecting our child?" and “Is our child internalizing emotional pain that we can't see?”

Are anxiety and stress keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential? Are you feeling stress weighing on you internally or causing you to feel exhausted and hopeless? Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.

As a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist, I treat people regularly who are challenged by food related issues. I have developed a dynamic, interactive treatment modality participating in a collaborative team approach. I work together with my patients to gain competence and power and mastery in their individual and family relationships.

Get relief from pain and find meaning! I grew up in Los Angeles participating in teams sports and musical groups, which made me curious about relationships. This curiosity about relationships continues to inform my approach to psychotherapy. I believe that much emotional pain stems from difficulties in developing or maintaining fulfilling relationships. Therefore, I examine one's relational dynamics, ways of relating, and impact on others. I openly explore clients' feelings toward me, encouraging individuals to experience authenticity with others, and ultimately, with themselves.

Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.

I view psychotherapy as a collaborative approach between the client and the therapist, where we work together on your therapeutic goals as well as help reach greater awareness and personal growth. I work with individuals, families, and couples with many presenting issues such as depression, anxiety, relational issues, and life transitions/challenges. My approach to therapy integrates aspects of psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.

Dr. Courtney McCaul attained her MA and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University. She has served as Clinical Director for a prestigious treatment center in the Malibu.  Dr. McCaul has extensive experience working with a variety of clientele.  Many of her clients have suffered with; depression, anxiety-related disorders, mood disorders, burn-out, stress, life-transitions, grief, trauma, and various other struggles. She utilizes humor, warmth and unconditional positive regard for her clients, which include adults, adolescents, couples and families.

"Not until we are lost, do we begin to understand ourselves." -- Henry David Thoreau. I believe this statement is an essential truth about the human condition. Paradoxically, as other great intellects have attested to, it is precisely through self-understanding that one achieves emotional healing, wisdom and maturity. Through insight and self-awareness, one also gains an increased capacity for deep and meaningful relationships, a potent tonic for whatever ails, be it depression or anxiety, grief or trauma, aging or illness.... Resolving inner conflicts leads to healthier choices and the vanquishing of self-defeating patterns.

You're in pain from a dysfunctional childhood. You had narcissistic parents or "care"givers. Even if they're still causing you grief today- you can feel better! I will help holistically, meaning we will work on many levels. Together we will make practical plans to get you feeling stronger and more peaceful no matter what you have survived. Boundaries and self-care are skills that you can learn. You deserve to have the life you want, and I will help you create it. Together we can get you to where you want to be. Call for free consultation today!

With 20+ years of experience as a seasoned therapist, I provide a "sauna for your feelings," a safe space and container for you to step away from your life to reflect, release and re-align. My goal is to facilitate the identification of difficult thoughts, feelings, and past experiences that prevent us from being comfortable with who we would like to be, what we want, and the kind of relationships that we want to have with others. I find that people who fully invest in themselves have the greatest rate of success.

I help people who want help feel better about themselves, their lives and their relationships. Some seek my help because they engage in behaviors that interfere with their ability to enjoy their lives. Some seek my help because they feel "stuck in a rut," worthless, guilty or confused about their purpose. Some seek my help to improve or change their relationships or to grieve a break-up or death. Some just want a space where they can turn off their "devices" and turn inward or towards their loved-ones, in the presence of a trained professional who intends to heal.

Are you looking for a supportive space to explore thoughts, process feelings, create a plan for lasting change and live the kind of life you want? No matter what you've been through or what your current circumstances are, you have deep strength, resiliency and the capacity to change. Whether you're dealing with trauma or anxiety, struggling with relationships, sex and intimacy or trying to cope using addictive/compulsive behaviors - there is help and hope. Is now the time for you to begin?

With over 20 years of experience, I integrate into my West Los Angeles psychotherapy practice the most effective and contemporary clinical skills to meet the unique needs of each client and couple. My goal is to empower individuals and couples to identify their unsatisfying and painful patterns in love, health and work and to replace them with more creative, resilient, authentic and pleasurable ways of living.

When you are feeling down, anxious or stuck, you want to start feeling better as soon as possible. I provide evidence-based psychotherapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy that have been proven to assist people in feeling better in shorter amounts of time. When you are dealing with changes in life or have obstacles to overcome, you need techniques for improving mood quickly. Most people do not want to be in therapy for years and pay the high cost. Brief Therapy is 12-16 Weeks to help clients quickly and more effectively feel better.

You want a balanced life; fulfilling career, romantic relationship, genuine friendships, family bonds, health, and fun. Maybe some areas of your life feel full, yet there is still something missing, thus creating this imbalance. This does not happen in a vacuum; it happens in relationship with oneself and others. Healing also happens in relationships, which starts with me and you. I am an expert in healthy relationships and career; helping to create space for more in your life without feeling overwhelmed. I will help you improve your life and find the relief you need in a world that can sometimes feel unrelenting.

I take a collaborative approach to therapy, helping clients connect to their own sense of resiliency by providing a nurturing relationship based on respect and acceptance. When taking the opportunity to reflect in a safe space, we open up to the rewarding possibility of connecting to ourselves and the world from a place of conscious choice, while also addressing attitudes and beliefs that may be inhibiting of growth and fulfillment. This can lead to greater satisfaction with ourselves and a sense of empowerment in our personal and professional lives.