Relationship Issues Therapists in Los Angeles County, CA

Are you tired of repeating the same cycles of discontent in your relationships? Are you sick of being told by family, friends, and culture that the vision for the relationship you want is unrealistic? Do you swing back and forth between feeling hopeful and resigned? Do you feel like something is chronically off and that something needs to change?

Ready to rise beyond your struggles and embrace a brighter future? Are you looking for a compassionate ally to assist you through whatever it may that has brought you here today? Imagine a safe and welcoming space where your truth will be honored, without judgment. I truly understand the profound impact that relationship issues, depression, anxiety, addiction, or past trauma can have on your life. Together, we'll embark on a journey of healing and growth, with unwavering support and genuine understanding.

Relationships are one of the most impactful areas of our lives. If you are experiencing a lot of stress in your relationships, I can imagine the toll it is taking on your overall wellbeing. The quality of our childhood bonds can determine the patterns of our relationships in adulthood. Human connections can improve. With the help of a judgment-free professional and implementation of new skills, relationships can become healing and transformative. I believe that growth is achieved by the pairing of insight and the implementation of tools and techniques that will be learned in psychotherapy.

During this extraordinary time of increased stress and uncertainty many of us are overwhelmed; facing pain, fear and anxiety as never before. I am an expert in working with clients to confront these challenges. I customize therapeutic methods and help clients develop strategies to overcome individual issues and achieve a balanced approach to life under any circumstances. After 20 years I am still constantly researching, and employ both old and new approaches with my clients. Client relationships are built on a foundation of trust and understanding, and I ensure a safe and professional environment, in-person or through telehealth.

I believe that the relationship that you have with your therapist is essential for change. Finding a good fit can be hard, but I'm here to help you through that process. We will work together to help you better understand yourself so you can see things more clearly and uncover opportunities to move through challenges, conflicts, trauma, and anxiety. Gaining insight into how the patterns from your past impact your daily experience is an important tool for meaningful change. Together, we will collaborate to identify and resolve challenges, and deepen awareness so you can move forward towards your best self.

Looking for a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially if your life isn’t how you’ve envisioned it. Are you and your partner having a hard time understanding each other? Are your children struggling to display their strengths and put their best self forward? Is your family in a perpetual pattern of conflict? Do you feel lost after your last break-up? Do you wonder who you are and what you really want from life? Therapy will give you a safe space to sort out your feelings.

I believe we are born with an inherent bodily wisdom, our "bones of knowing" which helps us to distinguish which experiences allow us to expand or cause us to shrink. We are born with basic primal emotional needs for love, safety and acceptance. For many of us these needs were not met. We often come out of childhood with unmourned losses and a false self or persona. Together we can explore those deeper needs which often underlie symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress and learn to fulfill these needs as they occur in the present, taking responsibility for our own happiness.

The decision to seek therapy often happens because of a crisis or desire for change. My goal is to help you create and attain the life and relationships you want. Often times, we know what the problem is, but don’t have a clear picture of the solution. Together we will create that vision and develop strategies to attain your goals. We will work collaboratively to access strengths and create tools to overcome the obstacles in your way. I work from a solution focused perspective in an active and engaging manner.

Sometimes life can be challenging and we need support and guidance to move forward in our life. We will work together toward meeting your therapy goals, understanding your emotions, identifying life patterns that may impact your sense of self and relationships. We will work through unresolved issues to gain a new awareness and perpectives.

Is a lack of intimacy or stress in your relationship causing you to feel disconnected as a couple? Do you have a hard time feeling heard and seen in your partnership? Are you worried that you’re no longer on the same page about the goals, values, and visions you once shared together? Has one, or maybe even both, of you been unfaithful in your relationship? Sometimes life has a way of getting between us and our partners, leading us to turn away from—instead of towards—one another. Common obstacles like career stress, parenting, and significant life transitions can take up a lot of space in our lives without ample room to connect.

Feeling overwhelmed by life's complexities? You're not alone. Many people seek therapy to overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship/intimacy challenges. They also yearn to build a more fulfilling and authentic life. Whether you're a couple facing communication issues, an individual struggling with self-esteem, or a family desiring deeper connections, I can help.

I am a warm, straight forward & occasionally funny therapist who will ask you lots of questions to help you find your own authentic answers & connect to parts of yourself you may have kept hidden. I work with adults & couples who feel stuck, who want to understand themselves better, heal & grow. I find importance in childhood wounds that affect our present day. I will help you to explore & reframe perspectives which may have been formed through a wounded filter, in order to do deep, honest work & achieve meaningful change.

Thanks for viewing my professional profile. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 19 years experience, including working in hospitals, private clinics, and as the Clinical Director of an in-patient residential facility. My experience includes treating a broad range of issues including addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, divorce, parenting children with special needs, post-partum depression and schizophrenia.

For over thirteen years, I've been seeing clients (both individuals and couples) and my goal has always been to help them achieve meaningful change, whether in getting through a difficult current situation or wanting to break old patterns that keep them from living a more fulfilling life. Some challenges I've helped people overcome include anxiety, depression, relationship issues, feeling stuck in a rut, grief, hopelessness, self-esteem issues, and work-related stress. Exploring these issues with a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental therapist can really help.

I work with individuals, couples and families to relieve depression, anxiety, conflict and address overwhelming life issues. I understand feeling lost and alone. We can guide you on a discovery of meaning and purpose. Happiness is deserved and within our power. I can help you form and grow relationships where you feel loved, comforted and seen. We can address family conflict, emotional distance and build a life-long partnership with children, parents and partners. I can support you with life transitions like employment changes and personal loss to reclaim your dreams. Every day matters. Change is constant and ours to direct.

30 yrs exp..... Evening & Sunday sessions available. Laressa Desmond PhD. If you are experiencing the devastation of an infidelity I am here to help you. This is one of the most painful things that can happen to a Couple. The impact is deeply distressing on every level & the fallout is far reaching. Perhaps you are trying to decide whether you can work through it together? I have experience helping Couples navigate the stormy emotions that threaten to drown your relationship. Many couples do make it through this terrible loss of trust. Email me and let's see how I can help you.

Do you feel as though your anxiety and depression are unmanageable? How about feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness like you’ve hit rock bottom and are struggling to find hope for tomorrow? Once we start to unravel the details of our past and trauma we give ourselves the ability to process feelings that we have long suppressed. I aim to collaborate with you and provide tools to decrease the challenging feelings you are currently facing and achieve a more integrated and balanced sense of self, leading to emotional healing and personal growth.

Is your daily life chaotic and distressing? Do you struggle to navigate friendships or romantic relationships? Are there days you feel like you just cannot stop your thoughts from spiraling out of control? I am an intensively trained DBT therapist specializing in Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Complex Trauma, Relationship / Attachment issues, and Addictive / Co-Occurring Disorders. I utilize a non-judgmental, person-centered, strengths-based approach, incorporating additional evidence-based modalities such as ACT, CBT, Prolonged Exposure, TF-CBT, and IFS to help you begin to build your life worth living.

Life is full of ups and downs as we all know. However, sometimes it seems as if there are more downs than ups, and you need help finding out where things went wrong. You are not alone on your journey of life. No matter the age, I help clients navigate through life whether you are struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, ADHD, or relationship issues. I also specialize in working with parents and men's issues. I offer a place where you will feel safe, comfortable, and free of judgment.