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.

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.

Generally, I treat groups, couples, and individuals--21 years of age or older. I am best suited to treat depression, anxiety, bipolar, alcohol/drug issues, personality disorders, anger, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorders, grief/loss, employment difficulties, military/veterans, spiritual issues, and relationship problems.

Are past traumatic experiences, being an adult child of a dysfunctional home, incest survival experiences, addiction issues, phobia, panic, anxiety, C-PTSD or depression affecting your success? Are distractions impacting your optimal performance abilities at work, in your intimate relationships, or in relationships with family members or with yourself? Are you surviving instead of thriving? I provide accelerated Psychotherapy for individuals and couples who are challenged by performance loss and emotional unhappiness. Also offer Diagnosis evaluation for addiction, mood, personality, and adult Autism spectrum. HSP and Kink friendly.

Change can be rewarding, even exciting, when undertaken with the right support. In these uncertain times, I am committed to providing calming, nourishing help. I am warm, collaborative, understanding, and real. Let's connect so you can tap into greater ease, clarity, and connection.

BIPOC - Have you experienced loss or adjusting to change? Life comes with loss and change: the death of a loved one, the loss of health, a break-up. Dealing with any loss and adjusting to major change often negatively affects us, and our emotional well-being and coping habits are sometimes compromised as a result. It is easy to fall into depression or develop anxiety if our coping is not managed and nurtured appropriately. I’m glad you are taking steps to process what change or loss means to you. As an Asian American Filipina, I provide culturally competent therapy services to those managing dual/multi cultural/BIPOC identities.

My approach is nurturing, collaborative, and client-centered. As an Asian immigrant, I recognize and appreciate how culture can be a powerful force that influences the way we think and shapes the way we understand ourselves, our emotions, and our life circumstances. Our work together will involve strategies that will help you gain awareness, knowledge, and skills to help improve your life in a manner that is consistent with your personal values and life experiences.

I trust the healing and growth potential of the therapeutic process and therapist-client relationship. My approach to counseling is relationship-focused, client-centered, and holistic. I am skilled at listening, asking effective questions, and inviting clients to examine their presenting concerns or struggles in a safe and supportive way. I specialize in relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting, the psyche of current and former athletes as well as themes of race and cultural identity.

Dr. Yi Chun (Melodie) Hsu is a clinical psychologist with nearly a decade of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate trauma, relationship struggles, addiction, identity issues, and grief. She is known for her warm and empathetic style with a splash of humor, making her clients feel seen, heard, and valued. She obtained her doctorate in Clinical and Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University and completed her undergraduate education at California State University, Fullerton. She utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach combined with motivational interviewing, attachment, and internal family systems.

Yi-Xian Li is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California (PSY34118). She earned her doctoral and master's degrees (Psy.D., M.A.) in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and a bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies from Brandeis University. Prior to her current career in psychology, Dr. Li worked in media strategy and advertising in Beijing and Shanghai, China. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the UCSF Faculty & Staff Assistance Program where she worked with physicians, faculty, nurses, administrators, and other UCSF staff members in therapy.

Are you known for being a perfectionist, but in reality, underneath the perfectionist mask, you feel anxious, emotional chaotic, and overwhelmed? The thought of making mistakes or showing flaws brings up fear of rejection and judgment. Imposter syndrome seems to rear its ugly head all the time. You just want to be able to feel safe and relax, but you just cannot allow yourself to relax and enjoy. You're exhausted, but feel like there is no other option but to keep pushing on. You just want to be happy, damnit!

As queer, trans, Asian American, and neurodivergent, my therapeutic stance combines my professional and personal experiences with what I learn from you so we may co-create the best approach. Allow me to walk with you on your path, and I will lend guidance and perspective without ever imposing my will over yours. Let’s work together to find the next steps to whatever you bring, the middle path between the burdens and the joys. This can be more somatic-leaning, philosophically-inclined, skills-based, or any combination thereof.

Sometimes it can be really challenging to make time for ourselves and for our mental health. For some of us, it's even more difficult when our identities and culture held no space for our feelings or emotions. We may have had to put up with crossed boundaries, invalidated feelings, unrealistic expectations, and conditional love that depended on how much we have accomplished. Those difficult and maybe even traumatic experiences that we, and our families, have lived through may have been written off as "this is just how things are." Although we may want to rest and pause, we instead might begin to feel shame or guilt for doing so.

Has your relationship flatlined? Do you often wonder, “When did the thrill vanish?” or “Why is World War 3 happening in my living room?” Is your partner dismissive, cold, or indifferent? Maybe intimacy has become a distant memory. Is sex even still on the table? Perhaps you’re terrified that the best has come and gone. The fixes you’ve tried have turned into a cycle of rejection, resentment, and amplified hurt. You’ve probably started seeing or looking for the spark from someone else.

Being human is messy and hard, and all too often, you can feel alone in facing your suffering. You feel isolated, cut off, like nobody else gets what you're going through–whether that be grief, depression, systemic oppression, trauma, or any other human affliction. While the original experiences were hard, your sense of aloneness makes them worse; they stick with you and shape the way you interact with the world, like tightly-wound knots that never get a chance to loosen.

I help individuals work through their anxiety, depression, relational issues, and disordered eating. Everyday might feel like a steep, endless hill. It's overwhelming and no one really understands how bad you're struggling. You want change and to feel better but don't know where to start. The stigma against mental healthcare is so real. But you don't have to be in that alone; together we can identify the goals you want to achieve, alleviate your current symptoms, and work towards a meaningful, fulfilling, and thriving life. I help empower you to make small steps towards lasting change.

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!

My clients are generally very smart and motivated people that are tired of being held back by their anxiety, depression, and past trauma. They are looking for immediate tools that can help them feel more empowered today, while also ready to do the work of healing these issues for good!