Depression Therapists in Highland Park, CA

There are infinite reasons we seek therapy. You may find yourself disconnected from your relationships and exhausted by not feeling understood. You may feel pressure to be a perfect person, partner and parent, or struggling to name your feelings or needs in your relationships. I strive to co-create an attuned, safe space and our collaboration will center around your hopes, goals, and intersectional identities. When we allow the unfolding of emotional experiences, it can lead us to the emergence of a deeper understanding of yourself, self-acceptance, and connecting to the power and participation you have in relationships.

Thank you for visiting. It means a lot that you’re here. It suggests you’re sensing something in your life isn’t the way you’d like it to be, and that you’ve decided it’s time for change. A professor of mine once said, “All therapy boils down to one issue–I’m stuck.” Sometimes getting going can be the hardest part. You’ve already taken an important first step. If we want things to be different, we must do things differently. You don’t have to stay stuck. I know sometimes life can feel overwhelming. I want to help you discover new perspectives, new possibilities, new ways of approaching challenges and relating to others and yourself.

You may come here looking because there are parts of yourself you feel like you must hide. You may feel like there are conflicts with who you are, and how you currently present in the world. You may be coming to a deeper understanding of your gender or sexual identity. It can be hard to know how to talk to your family and friends. This can be a scary time filled with a lot of fear, curiosity, uncertainty, and grief; all of which can complicate your relationship with your family and friends. Together we can explore ways to find a little more ease in the journey.

There is no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to therapy. You decide what you need from of our time together. Perhaps, for now, you're curious. This is where we start. I aim to strike a balance between a direct and challenging therapeutic space with warmth, compassion, and a sense of humor when appropriate. I provide space for clients to explore and "connect the dots" openly and free of judgment. Together we will work to make the unconscious more conscious expanding and deepening your understanding of yourself and putting you more in touch with your hopes, your dreams, and desires.

Kati Phillips is a certified emotionally-focused therapist with advanced training in sex therapy and LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. She works with adults, adolescents, couples and folks in consensual non-monogamous relationships.

Are you creative, a perfectionist, or do you work in a high-stress position? On paper, things look good.  But on the inside, it’s a different story. Many high-achievers and creatives can get lost in survival mode, straying far from our basic requirements and deep desires.  This can be caused by many things including unconscious unmet needs, cultural norms, or old wounds.  Fortunately, there is a safe and gentle way out.  I help people reconnect their minds, bodies, and emotions. Over time, my clients become skilled at trusting others, being proactive, and aligning with an authentic version of themselves.

I think of therapy as a creative and collaborative process that allows for a deeper, more integrated sense of oneself to emerge over time. I work with clients to help them better understand and navigate their experiences so that they can feel more authentic and aligned as they move through the world. I see myself as a helper and guide as clients build understanding of how to release old patterns and experience new things.

Much of my 10+ years of experience has been working with young people and their families; I'm also a parent of young children. As such, I really enjoy helping young people tackle all the struggles of "adulting": identity exploration, overcoming inner critics and "imposter syndrome," and finding one's voice. I also really like working with parents looking for support and/or wanting to be the best parents they can be. Finally, I've had success treating issues like self-doubt, low self-esteem, trauma, perfectionism, relationship problems, & big, jarring life changes.

Every one of us deserves joy, peace-of-mind, and well-being. We deserve to reach our full potential. Yet, somewhere along the way, we are diverted--oftentimes when our past burdens us, change upsets us, or unmet expectations disappoint us. Attempting to make sense of the distress, we engage in patterns that seem to comfort us, but in actuality, they move us further away from growth and the very things that have the power to fulfill us. Whatever your reason is for therapy, I aim to help pinpoint these patterns, rewrite your story, and guide you in finding your way towards the positive life aspects that you're worthy of experiencing.

There's no instruction manual for life. Relationship problems, career questions and mental health issues can make us feel confused about our own identity, where we fit in and how to move forward. I specialize in helping adults and couples navigate difficult feelings, identify and change unhelpful thoughts and patterns, and become "un-stuck" in order to enjoy a more peaceful mind and a happier life. My approach is open, casual, and collaborative, and I strive to maintain a space that is judgment-free, and where clients feel fully accepted, truly seen and supported. I'm LGBTQIA+-friendly, sex/kink-positive and culturally-sensitive.

At times, we may find ourselves struggling with anxieties, insecurities and fear; and in these we can feel stuck and alone as we navigate the hardships that inevitably cross our paths. I strongly believe that insight and awareness are some of the best tools we can possess to create lasting, positive change in our lives. It is my goal to provide a curious, informed space to explore the ways in which culture, family dynamics, and identity influence the ways in which we are able to move through the world.

It is a gift to seek out a space of your own to be witnessed and understood– I’m so glad you are here. My work is rooted in considering the ecosystem of mind, body, spirit, and culture in relationship to community and self. My approach involves being curious about you as a whole person and tapping into the complex interplay of your embodied and emotional world. I draw influence from a relational, mindfulness, and depth lens. As a client-centered therapist, I seek to empower you to define your unique needs and goals for our work together.

I provide a warm and non-judgmental space to witness, hold, and seek understanding of your pain and grief as much as your joy and wonder. Together we will explore the many facets of your ever-evolving self, as well your relationships to the people and environments around you. I work with individuals, couples/partners, and families of all ages. I particularly enjoy working with teens, young adults, and couples/partners who are navigating questions around identity, sexuality, struggling to find a sense of belonging, or who are hoping to feel more at ease in their body and with their sense of self.

Are you navigating the complexities of trauma and seeking a compassionate guide to support you along the way? With over 20 years of dedicated experience in trauma recovery, research, and therapeutic services, I bring a wealth of expertise to my practice. From surviving chronic abuse and neglect in childhood, sexual abuse, physical abuse, having a mentally ill parent, or experiencing abandonment, I'm here to walk alongside you on your path to healing. The road to recovery for individuals facing complex PTSD is often marked by distinct challenges.

On a long enough timeline, everyone is moving inexorably toward wellness, wholeness, and integration. I am here to help facilitate your innate forward momentum...and maybe grease the wheels a bit. Therapy is a welcoming and nonjudgmental space for you to unfold and explore what’s keeping you from being the most yourself. My approach is inquisitive and creative. Working from a depth perspective, I am attentive to the unconscious forces and long-standing historical patterns that may be unnecessary roadblocks to a more fulfilled life.

I help adults make sense of their experiences in a meaningful way. People come to me who are inquisitive and trying their best, yet still feel detached and longing for a better understanding of their lives. Oftentimes they’ve been in the driver’s seat going 100 miles an hour for years and can’t quite figure out how to slow down. Together, we work to slow fast-paced life, be present, and ultimately, see the once-blurry scenes in a clearer way. Just as each road trip is unique, so too is our tailor-made therapy. If you’re open-minded, motivated, and filled with curiosity, let’s see if we’re a good match!

There is significant strength in seeking support and guidance when you need it. My clients are often those who reach a point of feeling lost or overwhelmed and understandably cannot move forward on their own. They might feel disconnected from themselves, feel stuck due to past experiences, or recognize that the way they are living their life does not align with what truly makes them happy.

I provide a nurturing and supportive space to help teens, big feelers, neurodivergent folks, and folks exploring identities outside of cultural norms feel seen and reconnect to themselves. Together, we will use compassionate curiosity to explore your unique context, the ways you have survived, your strengths and superpowers, and areas where you want to grow. I love empowering my clients to identify and step into choices that align with their values and wellbeing.

Carl Rogers once said, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change" meaning once someone can sense that a relationship is safe, the opportunities for self-exploration and change appear. I believe that once a person is truly seen, it is then that they can blossom into their truest self. My approach with each session is a warm, curious, and open attitude in the hopes that, ultimately, you arrive at a place of self-understanding and peace. I am direct but kind, and offer you alternative ways of viewing difficult situations in your life.