Emotionally Focused Therapists in West Hollywood, CA

Are you looking for a therapist who understands your unique experiences as a BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ person? Do you want to work with someone who is compassionate, affirming, and culturally responsive? Are you looking for a clinician with shared lived experiences? If so, then you're in the right place. Rainbow Connection Counseling Collective is a group of licensed queer and/or BIPOC therapists who are passionate about helping people heal and thrive. We provide culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and compassionate psychotherapy and counseling.

Sometimes the parts of us that are open, curious and authentic can feel stifled or closed off by life stressors and pain. As a result, we develop thoughts, behaviors and emotional patterns that cause us to resist or avoid our true self and prevent us from moving through the world with harmony and ease. By doing so, we end up experiencing feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety and stress, ultimately limiting us in our lives, careers and relationships. Therapy seeks to uncover our richer stories and truths, thereby allowing us to act from a place of trust and intuition, which ultimately enhances the meaningfulness of our lives.

The clients who come to see me are adults of all ages whose lives are diminished by depression or anxiety, whether lingering or overwhelming. Such feelings make it difficult to focus on tasks or leave the house. Some clients struggle with unsupportive family members or relationship partners; others cannot shake off the impact of trauma they suffered as children or adults. Often I see young people who want to be Independent Adults, but feel they’ve lost their way, cannot find stable relationships, or establish boundaries with parents or roommates. My older adults are coping with aging; but they desire social connection and purpose.

I am not a typical therapist. I see myself as a co-author, witness, helpful ally, teammate, collaborator and useful resource. Rather than taking a role as an “expert” by making assumptions or interpretations about your life, I love to use skillful conversation and artful question-asking to help you get past obstacles and problems. You are here on this page because you have strength in you, you have desire in you and you have healing in you. You are the main character in your own life. Therapy can either help or hinder the development of this character as someone powerful, capable and whole.

I work with the "black sheep" Those who don't follow the typical frameworks and cannot help but carve their own paths. However that pain shows up, I am adept at helping you dig deeper into the reasons as to why you find yourself time and again in the same suffering. My system of therapy is geared towards helping you escape stagnancy and into living a more satisfying, awakened life, full of new possibilities.

Is it difficult to trust others or your partner? Do you find yourself avoiding people or lacking energy to do the things you enjoy? Would you like a better relationship with yourself and others? I am cisgender LGBTQ affirmative therapist, my goal is to provide a sex positive environment for you to be authentically who you are, without judgment. During short term treatment I will provide you with tools to find practical solutions to your challenges.

In my therapeutic approach, I honor the relationship between the mind, body, and spirit. I believe that it is imperative to treat mental illness with an integrative lens, taking into account the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and systemic factors that contribute to overall wellness. I am passionate about addressing the ways oppressive systems affect mental health and offering therapeutic support toward healing for ​​Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) experiencing mental health distress in response to systemic oppression.

I have a therapeutic style that is honest, empathetic, compassionate, and straightforward. Using clinically proven treatment methods via Teletherapy, I work holistically though a depth psychology lens, leveraging a combination of treatments to address mental health concerns such as complex trauma, re-parenting, grief, addiction, PTSD, confidence, work/life balance, abuse, and sexual issues. I am also clinically interested in the study and offering of psychotherapy to those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. My expertise in Nutritional Psychology allows me to look at your needs holistically. www.drjeffreylawton.com

Whether you are going through a transitional phase, making a major change in your life, looking to work on your relationship, or just feeling lost in your life and in need of community - I am here to walk alongside you and help guide you through it. Do you feel like your life needs balance? Has work taken over too much of your life? Are you and your partner experiencing a stage of flux or miscommunication? Maybe you just moved in together and are finding this new dynamic challenging? Or perhaps you want to open up the relationship (or close it)? Attempt polyamory? All of these can benefit from some guidance.

I work with individuals and couples who are trying to strengthen their sense of self and build healthier relationships with others. My goal is to help clients identify and address challenges that prevent them from living the kind of fulfilling life they want for themselves.

Accepting the responsibility to change is not an easy task but it’s highly rewarding once you take the initiative. We will carefully work through your barriers in order to reconstruct your future. Let's find out what is and isn’t working while co-creating practical strategies and tools that fit your unique needs and challenges. Together, we will break through stagnation developing a meaningful relationship with yourself and others on your journey towards manifesting unlimited possibilities. Let's create cognitive and perceptual shifts that transform obstacles into valuable opportunities for you to heal, grow, and thrive.

My mission as a therapist is to help you navigate through life’s complexities and challenges that may leave you feeling discouraged and disconnected. Together, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery, align with your true purpose, and heal old wounds. I am a firm believer that therapy can transform your life. I know this because my own therapeutic journey has transformed mine. This is why I am deeply committed to helping people make meaningful changes by offering a safe and supportive, judgment-free, and–believe it or not–fun and enjoyable environment to do inner work and feel understood with a renewed sense of hope.

I extend a warm welcome to individuals grappling with a diverse spectrum of challenges and diagnoses. My expertise lies in providing support to those navigating issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment difficulties, and provide affirmative therapy to those who identify as LGBTQ+. Additionally, I specialize in conducting psychodiagnostic and neuropsychological assessments, which are designed to comprehensively evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. These assessments are offered to individuals of all ages, aiding in better understanding and addressing a wide range of psychological and cognitive concerns.

Hello you, I am a caring and compassionate professional dedicated to helping you grow and thrive. Our sessions will be collaborative, strategic, and goal focused. Above all, they will be respectful of your path. We will identify what's not working in your life and allow time to step back, reflect, and shift your approach. The therapeutic modalities I employ are evidence-based and individually focused -- modalities shown to be effective at helping people function at a higher level and live happier lives. ​

Life's circumstances can often lead us to believe that certain parts of us are not welcome in the world. In response to challenges, trauma, and the pressures of family, culture, and society, we may disconnect from our bodies, our emotions, and aspects of our identity. Although this adaptive response can help us to survive in difficult times, it can leave us feeling fragmented and disconnected from ourselves and those around us. In my practice, I offer a place where all of you is welcomed and valued. Together, we'll create a safe and courageous space for every part of you to be witnessed and held with curiosity, compassion and care.

I am a clinical psychologist who has a wide range of experience working in a variety of professional settings and with diverse populations. I particularly enjoy working with teens, young adults and adults who are facing challenges and setbacks that are impeding their functioning and preventing them from their full potential. I also work with a variety of couples who are considering the next step (i.e., moving in together, open relationship, marriage) or having issues in their relationship and want to improve their relationship or considering breaking up/separation/divorce.

Asking for help shows your strength and dedication to the life you want to build. I bring a compassionate and relational approach to my work and a commitment to facilitating the recovery and resilience of individuals who have experienced the profound impact of trauma. I believe that healing is a collaborative journey and that each client is a unique individual deserving of a tailored therapeutic experience. We will build a strong therapeutic alliance to foster a safe and supportive space where you can explore and navigate the nuances of your journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and healing.

I offer in-person, LGBTQ-affirmative, evidence-based therapy for individuals and couples. With offices in West LA and Beverly Hills, I specialize in scientifically-supported and evidence-based treatments, grounded in a caring and professional therapist-client relationship. Evidence-based therapy can help you live the life you want, in the relationships you want. Most, but not all, of my clients identify as part of the LGBTQ community.

The experiences and interactions we have throughout our lifetime can have an impact on our well-being, thoughts, emotions, relationships and decision making. As we begin to understand our thoughts, emotions and behaviors we may be able to face life challenges in more effective ways. At times, attempting to understand ourselves without any support can feel confusing or exhausting. In therapy sessions I will provide you with support in a collaborative and safe space as you discuss past challenges or current stressors. Sessions are individually tailored to meet your therapy goals.