Personality Disorders Therapists in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, CA

NOW OFFERING TELETHERAPY M-TH 6:30 PM- 9 PM, FRIDAY DAYTIME! We are living in a unique political climate. Going through life transitions, and having trouble adjusting? How about ongoing fatigue and stress caring for family? Experiencing increasing worry, anxiety or depression? We all struggle sometimes. It can feel debilitating trying to keep everything to yourself and master every problem. Utilize self care and give me a call. Therapy is a safe space to process deep emotional material. So many of us spend so much time caring for everyone else. But, forget to save a little energy for ourselves, to address our own needs. It's time.

Psychotherapy is an opportunity to experience an awareness of yourself and the obstacles that hinder your emotional growth and connection to others. In this courageous journey, the match between you and your therapist is essential. I view our work as an important collaborative journey and welcome all of your experiences. We will work together to identify your goals as well engage in a meaningful way in your life. My role is to provide a genuine and safe environment to make life-affirming changes.

Do you ever feel like your emotions are running the show? Have you been trying, unsuccessfully, to change problematic behaviors? You are not alone and I can help. The ideal client is struggling to find joy or meaning in their life or is looking to stop using harmful coping mechanisms (avoidance, lying, substance use, self-harm, etc). I take the time to get to know each client and to examine why their behaviors and thoughts are no longer serving them. While looking into the past provides a great deal of information, emphasis is placed on learning to live in the current moment and managing the client's current reality.

I meet every day with people who are overcoming worry, depression, dissatisfaction and conflict to find greater joy, and fulfillment in their life. My specialties include working with depression/anxiety, OCD/ADD, personality disorders, and addiction. I also have expertise in working with the LGBTQQI community. My approach to psychotherapy is practical and interactive, providing the support and insight to help you resolve current issues and historical patterns. Through empathy and direct communication, I assist you in finding the solutions to life's adversities, challenges, and mental health.

I strive to help people become their own authority, which may have been compromised by unhealthy relationships, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. I focus on the individual's relationship with themselves, fostering an understanding and compassion towards personal strengths and vulnerabilities. I believe it is imperative to address underlying issues with out judgment or shame, so that we can heal parts of the self that are no longer serving us. My clinical training is in psychodynamic therapy, and I tend to gravitate towards an attachment based and humanistic approach.

I am a psychologist. I hold a PsyD, I have Doctorate in Psychology and a diplomate in Marriage and Family Therapy, granted by Board of Behavioral Sciences. I am also Board Certified Supervisor and have overseen numerous interns throughout my career. My primary work is in the treatment of individuals, families and couples. I am frequently received referrals from other psychologist, psychiatrists, clergies as one of my specialties within couples therapy, the study of "Infidelity" and its impact on families. I further have vast experience and knowledge in regards to addiction, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.

What is it that has brought you to seek out therapy? If it is because you are looking for someone to provide a safe validating space to feel heard, to learn to take control of your emotions, to change problematic behaviors, learn effective coping mechanisms, process grief, move on from what no longer serves you, solve a problem, or even figure out what the problem is, I can help. Whatever symptoms you are experiencing, they are there to communicate something to you. I can help identify what that is, and what to do with that information.

I am a licensed mental health therapist with over eight years of experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, personality disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders and schizophrenia.

The desire for human connection and acceptance and belonging is at the root of all human behavior, whether the behavior serves us in obtaining our long term goals and objectives is another story. Together we will explore emotional wounds impacting the way you show up in the world. We will look to explore whether or not the thoughts and behaviors you experience and engage in are serving your highest good. We will work together to let go of those thoughts, behaviors and relationships that are not serving you and inviting in thoughts, behaviors and relationships that do serve you  in order to create your idea of a life worth living. 

I offer a safe, collaborative, empathic environment where an individual can gradually deal with life's challenges including issues of depression, anxiety, grief/loss, health, trauma and abuse, and life transitions. I listen in a respectful way to help you formulate and work toward your desired goals. In therapy, I partner with you to build on what has worked in your life and to help you understand and transform those thing that have not.

Do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or lonely? Is it difficult to balance work with your personal/family needs? Are you finding it difficult to build friendships or understand the culture at work? Distraction on the job, insomnia, or withdrawing from family are signs that you may need help managing anxiety and stress. Many of us find it difficult to develop nurturing relationships and stop feeling isolated. In therapy, you can build coping skills and insights that can help you feel calmer and more in control. We will work to building the tools that you need to succeed professionally and personally. I am looking forward to helping!

In my many years of experience, I have been fortunate to witness the curative benefits of the therapeutic relationship. My interest lies in working with individuals, from young children to adults, who are suffering from anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, loss, and trauma. The children and adolescents I have had in my practice have struggled with issues of divorce, adoption, peer pressures, anxiety, depression, sibling rivalry, and social difficulties. Utilizing a somatic understanding and focus has deepened the work with many clients, especially those who have experienced trauma.

These are uncertain times! You know you could use some support, that you want to feel better, maybe less anxious, so you came to this website. Congratulations on taking the first step. However, you've been scrolling the pages on this site for a while and every therapist is beginning to look the same, and every blurb sound alike. It's hard to find a therapist, especially if you don't have a personal referral from a friend or colleague. Let's talk on the phone for 10 mins to figure out what you're looking for right now, see if we're a good fit and discuss how I can help.

There is a way out...of the suffering, of the loneliness and agony so hard to express to another person, and of the shame that you "ought" to be able to figure this out on your own. I think we are hard-wired to connect, and that lack of intimate connection is so much more complicated than meets the eye. In some ways, the higher the intelligence, the more difficult it can be to work oneself out of emotional knots. Just feeling like a trusting person actually "gets it" is half the battle. And believe it or not, corny as it sounds, the awful suffering one feels can be a bridge to a greater connection to humanity.

Erin Lotz, L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker, earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Southern California, and is a well respected Psychotherapist who integrates traditional psychodynamic psychotherapy with progressive psychotherapeutic principles of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Erin offers practical strategies to calming our "anxious minds", facilitating greater self acceptance, freedom and inner peace.

It is my greatest privilege to join someone on their journey; to help them find their way around the boulders, over the stumbling blocks and out of the crevasses that have derailed goals, clouded views or kept them from happiness. To see them make the changes they have dreamed of. Together we can examine patterns, identify sources of hope, build on strengths, challenge fears and create road maps which you can use to take those next powerful, healing steps. I specialize in working with individuals and couples struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma and relational issues.

My practice is based on an integrative model that privileges contemporary relational theory and practice. I work with a range of issues with individual adults, couples and families, and have a particular interest in working with artists, writers, and intellectuals. When choosing a psychotherapist, it is important to find a good fit - someone you feel comfortable with. Psychotherapy is at best a healing and transformational journey that allows you to have healthier and more satisfying relationships with yourself and others. A good relationship with your therapist is the most important factor in a successful outcome.

"What's madness but nobility of soul at odds with circumstance (Roethke, 1961)." It is likely that you will come to see me because you are suffering. I will help you understand the sources of your pain. Together we will discover how past coping behavior, although understandable and partially sustaining given the challenges of your life, may become limiting and a source of dysfunction. In a safe and professional relationship, I will assist you to change old rigid ways of thinking and behaving to embrace new flexible and balanced responding to foster success.

Do you feel like you are stuck in a pattern of behaviors that aren't working for you? Are you using food, alcohol, drugs, sex, hoarding, or other compulsive behaviors to avoid negative feelings? Do you fall into a pit of despair or hopelessness that you are afraid others may not understand? Do you have trouble making or keeping friendships, relationships, jobs? I will work with you to figure out how you developed certain coping mechanisms, what you might be doing/thinking that is interfering with your happiness, and/or how to stop listening to your internal bully.