Family Systems Therapists in Culver City, CA

I specialize in helping people improve their mental health by improving their most important relationships. I believe that these two things are fundamentally connected, and that challenges like anxiety and depression often have their root in how we relate (or don’t relate) with other people in love, friendship, family, and professional life. So if you find yourself stuck in one of these areas and find yourself needing new tools, I might be able to help.

I help individuals, couples, and families work through the places they feel stuck so they can achieve their own version of success. I meet people wherever they are empathically, respectfully, and without judgment. My specialties include Relationship and Family issues; Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, PTSD as well as Substance abuse. My work is informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the latest findings in neuroscience. After 15 years, I also find that a lot of insight and healing happens in the spaces where science, psychology, and spirituality rub up against each other.

Welcome! I’m a psychotherapist passionate about working with adults, couples, and adolescents that feel stuck; that want to get back to feeling like themselves again. Whether it be relationship conflicts, anxiety, depression, or major life transitions... there is hope for things to be different. Part of my role is to shed light on what's working and what's not; to identify the right tools that will bring back a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. As we process your experiences together, we will identify what solution(s) you might practically integrate to promote true emotional wellness.

The therapeutic process is unique to the client. For some it involves deep reflection and questioning old idea's, and for others a problem solving collaboration. For me it is the excitement of the journey you will embark on, and the endless possibilities for growth. Transparency is paramount, and key to the process for both client and therapist. Work is progressive and tailored to the individual. As issues emerge, treatment plans are re-assessed and revised to meet client needs. For trauma I am trained in Trauma focused CBT and Functional Family Systems,for addiction CBT and 12-step and for couples family systems therapy.

My name is Steven Laska and am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. I am currently working with clients via telehealth. For many years I have worked with adolescents and adults who have come from diverse sub-cultures of society who are experiencing a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, fertility, adoption, parenting, living/dying transitioning, and cross-cultural relationships. My clients have ranged in age from adolescents to seniors and have come from various backgrounds with a diversity of issues.

Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, a life transition, family/parenting concerns, or other mental health issues, we are all trying to better understand ourselves and break free of our limiting patterns and beliefs. My approach to therapy involves a strong foundation in formal therapeutic modalities, including CBT, DBT, family systems, and others, while at the same time recognizing that you are the expert of your own life, and it is through the therapeutic process that you will come to gain valuable insights, recognize your potential, and enhance your capacity for self-love.

I combine a unique and specialized form of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based on Choice Theory with a Family Systems approach to treatment. I view maladaptive behavioral patterns as a result of inadequate or dysfunctional life choices. I assist my clients in recognizing these patterns of behavior and encourage them to draw realistic and practical solutions to the things that are hindering growth and happiness through the choices they make in life. I work collaboratively with my clients using a "here and now" problem-solving technique and develop a treatment plan that uses psychotherapy, exercise, nutrition, and social support networks.

"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.

When you are feeling depressed or anxious, you have a real reason to want to be heard. You communicate through words and body language. A child communicates through play and art. Whichever way you communicate, I am dedicated to hear what you have to say and gain a real understanding of what is going on. Together, we can explore your uniqueness and find strength in that. Whether it is a family issue or a personal one, taking care of yourself is a priority. I believe that the basic foundation of therapy is a good relationship between therapist and client.

As a therapist for 35 plus years I have experience working with individuals and couples with varied backgrounds, cultures and ages. Many years working with people in Recovery (12 step and alternatives friendly) . Hsp's (highly sensitive) , women and men in transition.. challenged by depression, anxiety and panic, people in creative fields corporate professionals, LGBT. My experience as a cancer survivor, adoptive parent, artist/writer, and meditator enhance my work. I work with mindfulness. stress management and CBT .Very experienced with loss, grief, extreme religion/ cult recovery . Advanced training Trauma Resiliency Model.

I provide a safe place for individuals, couples, and families to deal with their relationship, career, and other issues, as well as with the anxiety, depression and anger that often accompany them.

You’d say that you are observant, conscientious, and driven. You pride yourself in your successes so far but struggle to take credit for them. You're hard on yourself but the thought of self-forgiveness or compassion brings up guilt. You're really good at being there for others and notice not receiving the same back. Self-doubt and loneliness keep you up at night and bleed into anxieties about work, relationships, and your kids if you’re a parent. You're not looking for temporary bandaids and believe sustainable healing is continuous and worth investing in. In relationships, you desire restoration of connection with your partner.

Are you or your child struggling with anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues? Have you found yourself feeling stuck or unable to create change? Therapy can help you cope with these challenges and set you up for future success. I find a positive and trusting client-therapist relationship to be the most essential component of the therapeutic process and place an emphasis on creating a safe and non-judgmental space for effective reflection and growth. Incorporating humanistic, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches, I work with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, oppositional defiance, high-risk behavior, and family dynamics.

I specialize in working with teens/adolescents and adults who are experiencing anxiety, trauma, intrusive/obsessive/ruminating thoughts, disordered eating, depression, narcissistic & sexual abuse, and relationship issues. My clients often feel a constant sense of panic, as though they need to figure things out right now. They have thoughts like "something is wrong with me" or "I am not enough." They feel a pressure to be perfect and please everyone. My clients sometimes experience relationship and friendship struggles and they may also have a difficult relationship with their body and food.

I specialize in assisting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and burnout. My diverse clientele includes young individuals exploring their identities to adults skillfully navigating the complexities of work, relationships, and family. My role as a therapist is to help my patients identify and decipher their emotional signals, empower them to be more self-aware and provide coping skills that they can integrate into their daily lives.

Being a parent can activate so much in us. There are moments of incredible joy, wonder and connection. There is so much exhaustion. There are times that can feel like they are draining your spirit. In these times you can feel like a hollow, empty shell going through the motions of life and parenthood. It can feel like there is a fog of stress and anxiety hanging over even the sunniest of days. It can feel so far away from what you imagined. This soul draining feeling has a powerful message for you. Somewhere along the way you lost your connection to yourself.

I’m passionate about working with children, teens and families, adopting a positive, collaborative approach that compliments each family’s unique strengths. I empower families by exploring family systems, engaging children in play therapy and somatic work, and exploring the “why” behind children’s behavior in an open-minded manner. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or defeated by your current family dynamic, want support in parenting skills, or have a child who needs extra guidance and care, I am here to help you gain the insight you need to find greater peace, compassion, and understanding in your life.

​I work towards supporting my clients in developing insights, overcome obstacles, and uncovering the version of themselves they seek to find. I understand that in the face of challenges, this becomes an incredibly daunting task. I offer a non-judgmental and compassionate space for clients to feel heard and understood. I work with individuals, couples, and families dealing with anxiety, OCD, personality disorders, relationship issues, and life transitions. I utilize DBT, CBT and ACT along with Narrative Therapy, and Family Systems approaches, incorporating behavioral techniques as needed.

Through my clinical/personal experience, I've learned how life transitions, intricate relationships, and unresolved trauma can trigger a range of internal and external reactions that stray from our core values. I firmly believe that when our nervous system responds to traumatic events, the resulting adaptive energy sometimes remains within the body, creating dysfunctional patterns that perpetuate emotional, somatic, and psychological distress, ultimately leaving us feeling stuck and isolated. We can work together to reestablish your emotional and physical well-being, laying the foundation for healthy relationships.