Depression Therapists in Hermosa Beach, CA

Opening up around the vulnerable and intimate details of our lives can be very uncomfortable. There is so much pressure to be “happy”, “better”, or “perfect”, while receiving messaging that being anything else is unacceptable. We are very adaptive yet often struggle to effectively get our needs met, so may engage in avoidance behaviors and withhold or internalize our feelings to try to prevent things from getting worse. You want to feel more like your true self and get more satisfaction out of your relationships. You need an unconditionally supportive, non-judgmental, creative, and humorous therapist who accepts you however you are.

You're smart, you're creative, you have big dreams but nothing is measuring up. Are you sick of your job Your boss? Of your relationships leaving something to be desired? Your self-criticism is relentless. The self-help books have only gotten you so far. You can't get your relationship with food or self-esteem in order. You're constantly comparing yourself to others and you can't pin down what is wrong- why things are clicking for you. Or maybe you find yourself in an unfulfilling partnership. Your relationship is a mess. You want deeper connection, hot sex, and more fun with your person! The dream of a team feels far away.

I believe that if we turn within, we can find the resources to deal with any problem and we can create a life of satisfaction, love and joy. My ideal client wants a safe, caring relationship in which to open up, share and be authentic. The journey to being oneself is very exciting and for me, therapy is about accepting oneself, expressing oneself and being honest. Doing this inner work with a guide naturally opens doors to connection and resolution of relationship and family problems and creates enthusiasm and a sense of satisfaction and purpose in one's life.

My professional background began in the financial services industry. I spent well over a decade climbing the corporate ladder and I ultimately became a managing director and equity partner of a successful capital management firm in the Los Angeles area. Although I had reached goals and achieved significant professional success, I also experienced a lack of personal fulfillment from my career. I enjoyed my job, my clients, and my colleagues, but at the same time I felt that something was missing. At that time, it was my own experience in therapy that helped me grow to redefine what success truly means.

Let's face it, life is not always easy, and can often feel more challenging when we go through our struggles alone. As with many new endeavors, taking the first step can be the hardest part, so I commend you on your willingness and courage to seek support. People come to therapy for many reasons, and often it is because they are seeking relief from a life challenge that is hindering their ability to feel more joy, confidence, connectedness, and inner peace.

I can remember lying in bed, looking up at the ceiling, worried about the everything. It didn’t matter what was going on in my life - I was constantly worried. Anxiety had a grip on my life, slowly tightening more and more every day. When my friends would call, I could hear the disappointment in their voice as I made up another lame excuse about why I couldn’t go out time and time again. I could feel myself slipping further and further away from the things that truly mattered to me - friends, family, and fun. I watched everyone else happily living their lives but I was stuck on the sidelines of my own. Why couldn’t I be more like them? Happy… Carefree… Unafraid… Relaxed… Why was I trapped in a vicious cycle of anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear? I knew it was taking my life from me and finally, I got to the point where I said - NO MORE. I worked 1-1 with my own therapist. Ultimately, I got my life back. No more fear… No more saying “no” when I wanted to say “yes”... No more watching my life slip by without me really living it…

Please visit my website to learn about me and how I practice

Michael McAtee provides virtual/online individual & couples therapy. Michael’s approach to treatment is a synthesis of several evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic and family systems. He emphasizes the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit, as optimal healing and lasting change occur when our efforts are focused on the whole person including biological, psychological, social, and spiritual.

Seeking more peace, ease and purpose? Craving deeper, more meaningful relationships? Craving more joy? Dreaming of a calm family life? Let's do this! Through my holistic method including emotional, physical, social & spiritual well-being, we work together to create true transformation by shedding what isn't working for you and building up what does, to help you achieve a manageable, balanced, fulfilling life that inspires and nourishes you for the long term. Using a variety of customized approaches, I work to get to the ROOTS of distress and create personal freedom!

I am a patient, attentive human, fueled by deep curiosity and compassion ready to walk with you through whatever stage of life you are in. Through my own personal work in depth therapy, years of education, and formidable life experiences, I have learned that we are all on our own unique journey towards tending to parts of ourselves that have been mistreated or left behind due to hurtful past experiences. As a human and a provider, I have a strong passion for healing. I believe in the power of restorative relationships, that everyone possesses the ability to rewrite unhelpful life narratives, and the strength to transform their life.

Do you always feel preoccupied about something? Do you overthink everything? Is it hard for you to make a decision because you are filled with doubt or you imagine every possible outcome? Are you often easily overwhelmed, finding it hard to shut off your brain at night or when you need to really focus on a task? Does one little thing going wrong ruin your whole day? Are your emotions getting in the way of you building the life you want? Maybe they're even preventing you from being present with your friends and family, leaving you feeling alone.

I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families of diverse backgrounds to successfully overcome a variety of problems, including depressive, anxiety, trauma- and stressor-related, eating, obsessive-compulsive, substance use and addictive disorders; difficulties with interpersonal relationships or life transitions; and challenges related to education or employment. However, there is no prerequisite for engaging in therapy, which can be a preemptive measure to care for and strengthen psychological and emotional well-being, a catalyst for personal development and self-actualization, and mechanism to enhance quality of life.

Everyone goes through bumps, twists, and turns on the road of life. Sometimes life gets a little harder and you look for something more to help you manage. I can work with you to help you navigate what life throws at you, whether it be stress at work, problems with dating, making and maintaining friendships and relationships, fertility issues, postpartum to adolescent parenting, and other life transitions. Working together, we can help you find just the right balance in your life.

Are relationships challenging for you? Do you feel unlike anyone in your family? Has this caused issues in your life such as feeling like others do not like you or will eventually leave you, family chaos always finds you, making decisions is torturous, feeling awkward in your own skin, lack of personal confidence, often feeling overwhelmed, feeling confused about your future and purpose.

Do you feel tortured by intrusive thoughts? Is your life ruled by a never-ending series of 'what-if's', each more horrifying than the last? You've been hiding your struggle behind a veil of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and other self-sacrificing behaviors, but it's getting exhausting. You're tired of the rituals, the constant reassurance seeking, and the disconnect you feel from your body and the humans around you. Trying to talk yourself out of a thought spiral only seems to make things worse and you're not sure how to move forward. It doesn't have to be like this! Recovery is within reach.

Are you an individual or couple seeking a nurturing space to untangle the complexities of your relationships or embark on a journey of personal growth? Perhaps you're facing communication challenges, unresolved trauma, or a desire for deeper connection? My goal is to cultivate vulnerability, understanding, and effective communication, paving the way for profound growth and fulfillment in your relationships and personal life.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

I have had over 15 years experience impacting the lives of children, adolescents and adults with emotional disturbances and often extensive trauma histories. The symptom presentation can range but often the cause is a mixture of biological factors and environmental stress combined with an inability to effectively process and deal with these stresses. I create meaningful working relationships, even when someone may be skeptical of the benefits of therapy. I then work collaboratively to improve coping skills and the ability to handle challenging situations with minimal to no impairment today and in the future.

Are you seeking stronger connections and effective communication with someone you love? Are you yearning for understanding? Do you desire emotional intimacy? Do you aspire to overcome challenges with your signifiant other? Does your child or you need some extra support through a life transition? I am passionate about helping individuals and couples attain harmonious relationships by fostering awareness, growth, and resilience. My life’s work is helping humans do life in a way that’s more fulfilling and less stressful. It is an honor to walk alongside people on their journey towards lasting happiness. Reach out and let’s talk!