Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

I am a licensed psychologist primarily serving adults and adolescents who struggle with depression and anxiety; borderline personality disorder; substance and alcohol use; relationship distress; emptiness; intolerable emotions; impulsive behaviors including suicidal and self-injurious behavior; eating concerns; and histories of trauma. My therapeutic approach centers on utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder but is now used to effectively treat a broad spectrum of psychological problems by focusing on enhancing the skills necessary to not only cope but thrive in a world full of obstacles.

Julia Xiao-Rodriguez provides supervised evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) for children, adolescents, and young adults with complex diagnostic presentations, including co-occurring anxiety, mood, personality, substance use and eating disorders. She specializes in delivering Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for high-risk, suicidal, and self-harming youth and their families. She is especially interested in walking alongside parents as they navigate parenting challenges and collaboration with providers. Julia is committed to providing identity-informed, culturally responsive and values-based interventions.

I am incredibly passionate about psychotherapy, and not only that, I believe in it with all my heart. I value the individuality of each and every one of my clients, and I believe the relationship we form is the basis for real change and growth. I am committed to understanding my clients very deeply, and in helping them understand themselves. In addition to gaining insight and awareness, I encourage clients to utilize skills and implement change to help them live life to their fullest. I give 100% of my effort, attention, and focus on my clients to provide the best care needed.

Elan Javanfard is a Psychotherapist (LMFT # 87054) who specializes in reintegrating the whole self, by utilizing present focused methods of discovery and coping. By using evidence-based theories and psychodynamic practices, Mr. Javanfard assists all clients alike to bridge the past and the future to create a more positive present. Mr. Javanfard is skilled in a variety of interventions ranging from distress tolerance to interpersonal effectiveness.

You may be feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or confused. You may be experiencing a difficult life transition or feel that something is missing in your life. It is important to find a therapist with whom you have a good fit, a feeling that your therapist "gets" you in order to develop the trust necessary in a therapeutic relationship. I have over 35 years of experience helping people in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It is through feeling understood that we come to understand ourselves better.

As a certified psychoanalyst, I specialize in treating teens and adults who struggle with depression; intense anxiety; obsessive-compulsive symptoms including invasive, disturbing thoughts; intolerable, painful emotions; high-conflict relationships; impulsive behaviors including suicidal and self-injurious behavior; substance and/or alcohol abuse; eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Our collaboration strives to help you find internal harmony. My method of investigation of the mind is designed to help you gain clarity in your thinking, achieve emotional containment and experience self-empowerment.

I am here to help you find a deeper understanding of yourself, cultivate personal growth, and improve your relationships. In a collaborative relationship with the client, I explore family dynamics, relationship patterns, and underlying feelings and unconscious drives that impede a sense of well being. Some of the issues I treat include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, recovery, trauma (emotional, physical, sexual), suicidal ideation, grief/loss, cancer survivors, LGBTQ, and pre-marital counseling/relationship/marital issues. I help clients explore their feelings, past experiences, present situations, and hopes for the future.

My ideal client is aware that some primary positive feeling has changed. The positive feeling has suddenly, or over time, become negative and painful. Because of this change, he or she may have reluctantly given up on a long term goal, or may be in the midsts of a divorce where there was once loving contentment that has disappeared. Sometimes the pain is so severe that the Client considers ending his or her life. No matter what the circumstance, this Client is longing for relief from the pain. The Client needs a Therapist who can, incrementally over time, help to alleviate the pain and begin a more positive approach to living life.

The priority of my practice is to care for a client’s needs as they unfold. With a collaborative, non-judgmental approach, I assist through stages of growth toward fulfillment and well-being. Experience has taught me to treat symptoms with curiosity, and by seeing their purpose we may integrate their power. Psychologist James Hollis wrote, "It is in the swamplands where soul is fashioned and forged, where we encounter not only the gravitas of life, but its purpose, its dignity and its deepest meaning."

I am passionate about the work that I do and truly believe in the benefits of utilizing DBT skills with my clients in the outpatient setting. I want to help my clients move away from all-or-nothing thinking, find relief from emotional suffering, regain control over powerful emotions, and eventually, not need me anymore.

It feels as though our lives have transitioned overnight due to current events. This time can be especially challenging if you were already in the midst of a life transition. Whether you just had a new baby, recently got married or divorced, love someone struggling with addiction, or went through a traumatic event; a sexual assault, medical crisis or are in the grieving process, I can offer support and expertise. I'm especially seasoned in working with trauma and helping folks navigate their interpersonal relationships and relationship to self. Collaboration, awareness, and transformation are key components to my therapy practice.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

Are you struggling with sexual trauma, a history of childhood abuse, extreme forms of abuse, cult abuse, LGBTQI related issues or needing a therapist whose focus in on empowering you in your life? If so, I am the therapist for you! Feminist Therapist, Board Certified Expert in Treatment of Trauma/PTSD. If life is throwing you a curve ball, let me see if either I or one of the therapists who work with me can help! Special focus in tx sexual trauma & victims of violent crimes. Help with gay/lesbian & transgendered issues. Call me, I can help!

Do you feel disconnected from people in your life? You are not alone. Relationships are often difficult because people struggle to connect with themselves. Connection is a basic human need. We long to connect with others and it starts by connecting with ourselves. This can be complicated by painful life experiences that lead to fear, mistrust, and hurt that can manifest in relationships with others, taint how we feel in the world at large, and impact how we see ourselves.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 35 years of private practice experience. I trained within APA-accredited doctoral programs and internship programs. I am licensed to practice psychology in both California and Colorado. I specialize in treating couples and individual adults presenting with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief, substance abuse, and relational conflict and dissatisfaction. I am trained in psycho-dynamic psychotherapy, but I also apply cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and interpersonal psychotherapy techniques to address the best methods for each individual and his or her issues and needs.

Balance CBT is the name of my private practice. I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY27841) and an expert in the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders and related conditions. My primary focus is providing evidence-based or "known to work" treatments for anxiety-related problems. While I place very high value on research-driven treatments, I strongly believe that compassion, validation, and a powerful relationship are cornerstones to effective therapy. I am a member of the clinical faculty at UCLA and hold positions in the departments of psychiatry and psychology.

Seeking help from a mental health specialist can be intimidating at first. My hope as your potential therapist is to provide a safe and encouraging space to explore your own unique life experiences, needs, and challenges as an individual and empower you to propel forward in living a free and beautiful existence. Through a collaborative process, I will join you on your journey of self-exploration, discovery, and growth that honors all aspects of your identity with the goal that you will feel more confident and capable to be the unique individual that you are; wherever you go.

With so many different kinds of therapists and therapy styles, finding the right therapist can feel like a daunting task. I believe the most important factor in finding the right therapist is what we call the "fit" - how comfortable and understood you feel when sitting with a therapist. I offer an initial consultation to see what it would be like for us to work together. If you decide to keep looking, there is no charge for this session.

As a psychotherapist, I know that initiating change can be exciting and extremely challenging. I am dedicated to supporting you through the challenges that come along with the excitement of growing and changing. My commitment is to help you understand and accept all aspects of yourself, and to feel more connected to those around you.