Therapists in Westwood, Los Angeles, CA

Do you feel alone, disconnected, or misunderstood in your marriage or your other relationships ? These feelings are absolutely normal for almost every person at some time in their lives. Fortunately you can do something about it. Clients come to me because something in their lives is not working as they would wish and they feel stuck.

I help clients find paths that nurture and grow parts of the self that can enhance one’s experience of life to be fulfilling and whole. People come to me wanting to find out why their life is not satisfying and what could be done to work towards that goal. Often times they are stuck in life situations that block creativity and paths to self defined success. Goals often include happiness, pain relief (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional), self-awareness, productivity, insight, improved socialization, healthy relationships (or finding one), meaning, and contentment with life.

Sex addiction or relationship problems? Lies, sexless marriage, shame? Recover your sexual health at the Center For Healthy Sex in West L.A. Expert psychotherapy for couples, individuals, partners and groups for all sexual issues.

Our past presents itself in the present moment. I treat my clients, not apply a model or theory on them. Whether it is anxiety, panic, pain, addictions, trauma, loss or grief - we explore together what gets in the way of living a life worth living. I integrate Somatic Experiencing, NARM, EMDR, PACT, Mindfulness practices and Voice Dialogue into a multidimensional approach to discover how to help you realize a satisfying life, the life you want to live.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I guide individuals, couples, and families who are stuck or disconnected. We will explore the different parts of yourself with curiosity and compassion and bring awareness to your beliefs, needs, and relational patterns. We will collaborate together to find approaches that work for you. You will come to see that you have the capacity to handle life’s struggles. You will gain the courage to make choices and changes that empower you from a place of love and acceptance. You will have the capability to have healthy, thriving relationships.

Relationships are complicated, especially the relationships that are most important to us. Many of us feel the need for connection, security, and love. However, sometimes we end up hurt and alone. Relational pain can show up as anxiety, fear, depression or grief, among other things. I firmly believe validation, empathy, and humor are the most powerful tools for helping clients experience lasting change. My most significant reward as a professional helper is watching my clients go from despair to possibility.

"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.

My name is Dr. Alisa Huntington, and I've been a licensed Marriage and Family therapist for 24 years. I love facilitating self-awareness and growth. Through a variety of modalities, I give you the tools to help you be the best version of yourself. I believe each individual has the tools to help him/her/themselves, they just might need a little guidance to unveil the layers. I see people who are depressed or anxious, questioning their sexual identity, in unhappy relationships, poor relationships with family members, adoptees or birth parents who have relinquished their child, and a variety of other issues.

What do you want? Do you know? If you know, are you able to attain it? Do you struggle with relationships or the ability to make your life as way you want it? Successful living means functioning well in love and work. Irritability, rigidity, anxiety, addiction, lethargy, depression, self-doubt, self-attack: these are all symptoms that sap us of our right to act with the freedom we wish and the ability to engage emotionally with others, our work and ourselves.

The decision to seek therapy takes an enormous amount of courage, and marks a new stage of one’s life. I welcome you to this stage, and thank you humbly for considering me to join you on this journey. It's my goal to co-create a space that allows us to work together as equals, so that within our therapeutic relationship you feel safe to use your true voice. Through this relationship, my hope is that you’re able to make discoveries about yourself, perhaps become aware of some unhelpful patterns in your life, and embark on the healing process you deserve.

My approach to psychotherapy is to assist you in developing skills to cope with life stressors, present obstacles, and different traumas. I believe therapy is a journey towards, self-realization, self-compassion, and a life worth living. I utilize various modalities in practice. I am trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which is an evidence-based practice to address different types of trauma.

Do you want to experience life with more joy and agency, meet obstacles with less anxiety and fear, and free space in your mind for feelings other than self-criticism and shame? I believe that each of us has the capacity to heal from painful past experiences, lead a life of excitement and choice, and take on challenges without being overcome by them. Sometimes, life's obstacles hinder our ability to do this, and that’s where therapy can help.

I have been in practice for 34 years. I earned a B.A. from UCLA in Philosophy, and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. I have extensive training in Hypnosis and am certified in EMDR since l994. I use these modalities for the problems and issues listed below. I am an artist, and work with artists of all kinds, helping to unblock creativity and help focus their work. I have taught psychology and philosophy classes at local colleges for many years and I also supervise interns in my private practice and at Antioch University Counseling Center.

I work with highly motivated adults utilizing evidenced based therapy with a special attention to mindfulness. My goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space to provide support to you as we explore better ways of coping, strategies to manage stress, and improve communication. Through reflection we are able to set goals and problem solve together as we increase insight and awareness of your experience. Together we can work to find an improved life balance, satisfaction and greater sense of well-being.

I treat clients from a trauma informed perspective. If it is addiction issues (substance or process) anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, so much of what informs these maladies is developmental or relational trauma. Big T or shock trauma can bring on many underlying issues that have been dormant. I work with clients to carefully assess their history and treatment goals. I use CBT, Psychodynamics, EMDR and other trauma treatment modalities to effectively resolve the inner disturbance.

Welcome! I help people who are motivated to better their lives by improving their capacity to deal with challenges, stressors, and symptoms in order to move in the direction of their dreams and aspirations. In addition to addressing general clinical out-patient issues related to Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Relationships, Self-Esteem, and Dual Diagnosis, I have a specialty practice in Health Psychology. I use an integrated treatment approach to facilitate mental and physical health in my work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. We venture forth by cultivating compassion, incorporating creativity, stimulating curiosity, and crafting courage.

I am here to listen and understand you to support you in re-establishing a sense of peace and safety. Psychotherapy is a space where you can explore all parts of yourself without judgement. My approach is integrative utilizing EMDR, mindfulness, relational and insight-oriented modalities. You can expect me to be active while offering curiosity and compassion as we reflect on your past, consider the future, and navigate the present. Our time together can help you deepen your relationship with yourself, others and the world around you. I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and see it as a vehicle for change.

I believe that you have a right to therapy that meets your needs, and works towards your goals. My job is to collaborate with you in whatever way is helpful. I am non-judgmental, and supportive, and will work with you to enlist your strengths and energies to bring about the changes you want in your life. I offer EMDR therapy for the traumas that underlie so many issues. If you are looking for an alternative to 12 step programs and abstinence for a substance problem, I can offer you the harm reduction approach which respects your intelligence and your ability to make choices.

Are you suffering with severe daily anxiety about work or relationships? Do you experience disturbing flashes of traumas such as sexual violence, abuse, disasters or the death of a loved one? I am an Anxiety and Trauma Specialist and would love to help. My typical clients experience OCD, panic, derealization, Agoraphobia, insomnia, obsessions, intrusive thoughts, and PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation and hyper-vigilance. Most of my clients come in feeling stuck and helpless, like it's never going to get better. We can work together to make it better. PTSD and anxiety are treatable.