Therapists in Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA

Our lives are constructed from many roles and stories. We, as human beings, are the teller of those tales. Is your narrative one, as Plato stated, flowing from "three sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge?" Is it rich in self-care, dignity, and compassion? Or, are the stories and thoughts you carry heartless, punitive, or corrosive?

My therapy practice is a humanistic and wholistic approach. I offer a relational space for individuals and couples to risk being vulnerable with me, t themself, and with each other. Together we learn how past and present experiences influences thoughts, feelings and actions. We actively and sensitively identify and process patterns which are embedded in childhood or other relational experiences in order for something different to happen. Therapy is a great way to receive feedback, gain awareness and practice different ways of being. In session work is growth you take with you as you live everyday which feels good and is authentic.

Hello. My name is Sandy Alvarez. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), I am dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate the complexities of their relationships and emotional well-being. With passion for fostering healthy connections, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to my practice. My therapeutic approach is grounded in the principles of client-centered therapy. This means that I prioritize your unique experiences, values, and goals. I work collaboratively with you, tailoring my interventions to meet your specific needs.

"The best way out is always through." This famous Robert Frost quote is at the core of my approach. When we get stuck -- in a rut at work, in a stormy relationship, in a lukewarm marriage, with our children -- we suffer but are often unwilling to go to the heart of the trouble. Sometimes, we're not even aware of what the true issue is. All we can do is try to avoid the pain, skirt problems, even pretend we are fine. We are blocked by fear -- another word for anxiety. Together, we can walk slowly through that fear, and get to the other side.

Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, identity, and difficult life transitions? Do you find yourself feeling stuck and can’t seem to focus or move forward? There are many ways to get unstuck, and this is the work I love to do to help you heal, grow and live a more fulfilling life. I use an integrative approach including attachment-based work, DBT, CBT, IFS, and mindfulness, bringing in each as needed. Above all, I strive to hold space and empathy for your life experience.

Are you experiencing challenges in dealing with anxiety, depression, and traumatic experiences? Do you struggle with effective communication and setting boundaries in your relationships with others? Life often presents obstacles and difficulties that might lead to these difficulties without proper tools, resources, and guidance. I utilize CBT, DBT, ACT, and Trauma-informed care to help you manage symptoms and promote healing and growth. With a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of each client and their lived experiences, I foster a collaborative and inclusive therapeutic environment.

Tired of stress and worrying? Perhaps even panic? Body tension? A foggy mind? Are relationships affected? Can you imagine how freeing it is to be able to manage and tolerate these intense thoughts/emotions? Be more at peace? These are realistic goals, which many of my clients achieve. Instead of avoiding people and situations, which limits them, they gradually start standing up for themselves. The more positive experiences they have, the more self-empowered they feel, daring to say or do things they really want to, be themselves and feel authentic. I can help you to achieve these goals in individual and/or couple sessions.

I teach couples powerful tools and give homework. My background is in Positive Psychology. People describe me as warm, down-to-earth and they say I have a good sense of humor. I think couples therapy should be uplifting -- and show results. I help all kinds of couples: married and unmarried, straight, gay, and couples soon to marry. I'm dedicated to helping couples overcome their problems. I'm even-handed and I find solutions. (And on a personal note, I've been happily married for 30 years). I combine Positive Psychology, CBT, mindfulness, Gottman, and the best of contemporary psychology. I taught in the medical school at UCLA.

My practice is about is about healing and growth; whether you are struggling with an immediate problem or looking for long lasting change. Everyone feels overwhelmed at some point in their life. You may experience changes in your sleep, concentration or mood. You know the worry tape that keeps running in your head and the knot in your stomach that won't go away. I am here to help you discover the why and work on the how to gain the tools and feelings of empowerment that can change your life for the better.

I understand that life's transitions often come with the obvious changes in ones perspective, in ones relationships, and in ones lifestyle, but transitions also come with more hidden emotional changes. These usually surface as sleepless nights, fights with people you care about, mood instability, and a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction with life. On your own, it is difficult to untangle the complex puzzle that underlies these ongoing issues and acknowledge these emotional changes. Together we can uncover the root of your emotional challenges using emotionally focused therapy in a compassionate and supportive environment.

I'm told I'm warm, smart, and that I have a good sense of humor. (Sometimes my dog likes to sit in on sessions.) I believe therapy has got to change lives -- and be enjoyable. Unlike some therapists, I believe in setting goals and tracking progress. Why go to therapy without results? What's my specialty? Helping people free themselves from what holds them back. My approach combines Positive Psychology and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) with mindfulness and a creative mix of the best approaches known to modern psychology.

Together we can look at your challenges in direct and objective ways to help address that which prevents you from living fully. I enjoy working with people hoping to transform their lives and wanting to reconnect to their authentic self. I also work with techies and individuals struggling with medical illness and chronic conditions. Sessions will entail better understanding you, your tribulations, and that which no longer serves you.

Do you find yourself having a difficult time coping with anxiety, depression, and trauma? Do you have a hard time communicating and setting boundaries with others? Life is full of obstacles and hardships that may be difficult to overcome without the right tools, resources, and, guidance leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. I specialize in working with adults, couples, and adolescents using a Psychodynamic approach to explore unconscious thoughts and behaviors. In doing this, we are able to collaboratively recognize old ineffective patterns and process unresolved feelings and trauma.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." (Maya Angelou) I understand that as we experience life we will inevitably encounter obstacles and stressors that challenge us to change. I also believe these moments present opportunities for transformation. I recognize that life transitions and personal experiences can sometimes be overwhelming, however they can also be valuable seasons with the potential to generate "peak and valley" experiences that can alter our life course.

My therapeutic approach mainly focuses on helping my clients identify their strengths to help alleviate anxiety, depression, and trauma. I am a firm believer that our childhood experiences contribute to our beliefs, behavioral patterns, and selecting a romantic partner. Therapy is a process! To allow ourselves to be intimate and vulnerable with someone about our experiences and trauma can be daunting. As a therapist, it is my goal to help validate, create a safe environment and help understand aspects of lived experiences.

I provide therapy for adolescents and adults seeking help with issues including parenting, divorce, stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, communication, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, grief, life-changing events, and others. My approach to therapy is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can identify and explore the underlying beliefs driving your behaviors, shaping your habits, and impacting your relationships. Working together using therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness, CBT, narrative therapy, DBT, etc., you will learn to better manage emotions and behaviors, allowing you to meet your own personal goals.

Do you feel as though your anxiety and depression are unmanageable? How about feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness like you’ve hit rock bottom and are struggling to find hope for tomorrow? Once we start to unravel the details of our past and trauma we give ourselves the ability to process feelings that we have long suppressed. I aim to collaborate with you and provide tools to decrease the challenging feelings you are currently facing and achieve a more integrated and balanced sense of self, leading to emotional healing and personal growth.

Are you ready to make changes in your life and relationships? I work with individuals, couples and families in order to help them lead more fulfilling lives. Clients of mine are often looking for support in developing effective coping skills to manage difficult emotions/urges, strategies for improving communication/connection and ways to reduce conflict/turmoil in their lives.

Life can feel impossible to avoid struggling and we often don't feel we have the skills to cope successfully through. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't have all the resources we need for a given situation. Parts of us take on desperate roles trying to help us to survive. This might look like anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship/family issues. I aim to help you process unresolved issues and feelings and find solutions.