Kaiser (Out-of-Network) Therapists in Calabasas, CA

Hello, my name is Michele Ryan. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who loves working with individuals, families and couples who have been affected by mental illness or just the everyday stressors and strains of life. Sometimes it can be very difficult to get relief from emotional problems on our own. Too often, when we feel discouraged, angry, stressed out and overwhelmed and we can turn to unhealthy coping skills. I have worked with clients struggling with chemical and behavioral addictions, depression, multiple anxiety disorders, PTSD and ongoing difficulties due to past traumatic experiences and life stressors.

Change is not an easy process, as it is often more comfortable to accept what is familiar. The desire to change occurs when the pain to remain the same is greater than the discomfort associated with the uncertainty of change. Here you will find a warm, welcoming, safe space to embrace the courage to change, heal and become the best version of yourself, whether it is feeling stuck in general, unsatisfactory relationships, difficulty at work, unexpected life circumstances, old habits, intrusive thoughts or patterns of behaviors.

Finding a therapist can be a challenging process and I commend you for taking the first steps to find someone who is a good fit for you! In my practice, I work with adults who feel stuck, down, in a rut, anxious and overwhelmed. I believe that therapy is about building a relationship where we can work together to find avenues for change and where you feel comfortable being yourself. The most important piece to therapy is your comfort!

I understand each of us has our own journey of growth in this lifetime, so I am very respectful of my client’s individual circumstances, struggles, identify issues, current functions and needs. I guide and assist my clients to understand the underlying issues of their discomfort and help develop plans and strategies that serve to reach their highest good in their journey to become whole.

I have experience working with individuals of various cultural backgrounds, which has provided me with the experience in helping with a diverse area of mental health difficulties from Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder, (veteran, infidelity, domestic violence, physical, emotional and sexual abuse), family and couple therapy . I help my clients decrease their depressive and anxious symptoms, identify their positive thoughts, decrease worries, feel relaxed, happy, sleep well, and develop good relationship with others.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, questioning your life, and finding it difficult to complete daily tasks at work or home? Is depression or anxiety impacting your quality of life? Do you feel stuck, frustrated, anxious, empty, or hopeless? Are you dealing with decreased motivation, increased isolation, changes in appetite, or sleep issues? Additionally, are you struggling with grief, chronic illness, ADHD, relationship challenges, or life transitions?

With a rich background spanning various mental health settings, I understand the diverse needs of individuals seeking support and growth. I have honed my skills in providing assistance to clients yearning for change, relief from distress, and overall enhancement of well-being. I work with diverse clientele and my expertise lies in aiding individuals facing adjustment difficulties stemming from significant life changes and stressors. These may include grief, changes in health, disabilities, relationship, parenthood, occupational and educational challenges. I have extensive experience in working with ADHD, anxiety and depression.

As a child I was always very sensitive and curious about the world that surrounded me. It came natural to help people and I knew that I wanted to give back to the world at large. Just like you I suffered from some childhood wounds. My parents did the best they could with the tools they had. But due to their struggles I became a very codependent child wanting to save and fix my parents to simply gain the love I desired. Later on I would be able to understand this cycle and name some of the patterns I lived out. People pleasing, losing myself in toxic relationships and not fully loving that little girl inside of me.

Do you ever feel like you’re wandering through life, not quite sure where you belong or what your true purpose is? Let’s team up and navigate this exploration together, helping you find the way to a clear sense of direction, purpose, and a special place where you truly fit in.

The areas of expertise are: addictions, marriage therapy, child/adolescent therapy. Additionally, We treat individuals, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, anger, domestic violence, all addictions, sexual and emotional abuse/neglect, low self esteem, bullying, failing grades, being oppositional, cutting, anxiety, depression, suicide, death of a loved one, and domestic violence. Additionally, there are two Associate Marriage Family Therapy interns that graduated from Pepperdine that work here, Doug May and Austin Johnson, that see clients that need low cost therapy starting at $50-80 and will be on insurance panels soon

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, my goal is to help individuals improve their relationships with loved ones, uncover their strengths, and acquire positive coping skills to lead a healthy life. During my 18 years as a Therapist, I have worked with families, couples, and individuals with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems. I also helped many people who have experienced trauma such as sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. In addition, I had the opportunity to work with Adult Children of parents with personality disorders, particularly Borderline and Narcissistic.

Are you feeling depressed or anxious dealing with a challenging situation in your life? Are you feeling stuck and overwhelmed in making the right decisions? Do you have marital issues and need someone to coach you to learn how to communicate and resolve your problems? I am here to help you to explore new ways of thinking and moving toward new possibilities. Let's work together in a safe and warm therapeutic environment to make step-by-step changes for a better tomorrow!

I have worked in non-profit settings and have been in Private Practice for 30+ years as a Licensed Marriage,Family Therapist. I continually udate my expertise with contiuing ed. I bring a depth of knowledge coupled with a down-to-earth, caring approach to the therapeutic process. I enjoy working with my clients using many different modalities with a "REALITY" base. Some say that I am a "No Nonsense Therapist". Don't let that scare you away. My clients find me to be warm and caring. A measure of my success is based on my clients progress in meeting their personal, relationship and career goals as well as their personal growth.

My role as a therapist is not about helping others. It is about giving guidance and focusing on self-empowerment to my clients so they can have the tools to assist themselves. Prior to private practice, I worked at treatment facilities for both substance abuse and eating disorders, worked with victims of crimes (domestic violence and sexual abuse), and a suicide hotline.

Lynn Comley, PsyD, MFT30361, is a psychotherapist in private practice who brings a broad spectrum of experience, skills, and knowledge to her life and work. With a rich mix of humor and compassion, and the standing, practice, and methods of a consummate healing professional, Dr. Comley guides her clients through difficult transitions toward benefit and well-being. "The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure". (Joseph Campbell)

I offer both In Person and Telehealth options. Pretty much everyone you have met in your life have experienced trauma or something scary/ traumatic. Trauma impacts our brain, body, and relationship. It impacts our daily routine. Do you ever feel sadness and wanting to isolate? Do you ever feel overwhelmed or anxious? Do you find yourself feeling agitated or easily annoyed with others? If you answer yes to any of these questions, I can help.

Welcome! Thank you for visiting my page. I know that choosing a therapist can be a daunting task. Selecting someone who has experience working with your concerns, to whom you can connect is essential. You're looking for someone who gets YOU. You want someone who understands, who can help you overcome your unique struggles and help you transform into the person you have always wanted to be. My goal is to provide a home for you to be authentically who you are, without judgment. By understanding how your past relationships shape your current experience, you can gain awareness and understanding of how your perspective is affecting YOU.

I recently published my book "Hood Therapist" on Amazon. The book is about my experience as a therapist working with inner-city youth and therapy in general. I am an LMFT with 15 years of experience working with teenagers & adults in individual therapy and couples' therapy. In addition to my private practice experience, I am a Mental Health Clinical Supervisor for the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health which has provided me a wealth of clinical experience and training. This experience has allowed me to fine-tune my clinical skill set across a large swath of clients from all walks of life.

We are both physical and spiritual beings. It is when we forget to nurture each part that we lose our center and become out of balance. I have dedicated my life to understanding how our emotions impact our behavior and habits. I am a passionate student of the Mind-Body-Soul connection and approach therapy from a holistic point of view. I specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem/Self-image, Unblocking Creative Expression and Addictive Behavior.