Family Systems Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Relationships bring happiness, but also create longing and loneliness. They can preoccupy us and destroy our sense of safety and self-respect. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, afraid, or lost, or are unable to decide about staying or leaving, have irresolvable conflicts, unmet needs, or feel devalued, I can help - also if you seek guidance with codependency, trauma, communication, intimacy or self-esteem. You'll gain awareness in your first session and quickly see changes in handling emotions, conflict, and boundaries. Whether seeking individual or couple counseling, you'll find solutions, empower, and an improved sense of well-being

As an EMDR therapist, I have experienced successful outcomes for those who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, disturbing memories, post traumatic stress, obsessive thinking, and many other emotional conditions. In the past, with more traditional therapy, these conditions were time-consuming to treat. EMDR is considered a breakthrough therapy because of its simplicity and the fact that it can bring lasting relief for most types of emotional distress. Traumatic experiences can have an unsettling effect on our mental and emotional health for years to come.

My philosophy centers on creating a safe and inclusive space where individuals can explore their unique stories and identities. I believe in the transformative power of genuine connection, acknowledging the unique intersections of each person's journey and creating an affirming environment where diverse identities are celebrated. Together we will navigate the intricacies of relationships, identity, and personal growth in a holistic and affirming manner.

I believe we are born with the resiliency to handle life’s challenges. Early on, we develop coping strategies that don't always serve us in the long run. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, a life transition, a traumatic experience, grief, or relationship difficulties, we all need a supportive and compassionate other to join us as we untangle what's no longer working and discover new ways to access our inner strength and authenticity. I’d love to be this person for you.

Countless clients have expressed this frustration to me: “I know I do this, and I know why I do it. But that hasn’t stopped me from doing it! I’ve been in therapy for ages. What am I doing wrong?” If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Although developing insight into your challenges is a great first step toward healing, unfortunately, it cannot transform your life because of one hard fact: you cannot out-think your pain!

Have you been feeling confused, alone, anxious, unable to concentrate? Life happens to all of us and it is important to allow yourself the opportunity to get help. My speciality is to help my clients find their true potential and overcome their struggles. So, whether your struggle is anxiety, depression, past trauma, interpersonal relationships, cultural issues, family conflict, or woman issues, from any background or affiliation, I am committed to actively listen and empathize with you to collaboratively articulate the best treatment plan that will best meet your needs and healing.

It’s time to focus on you. It’s time to start taking the steps to move you through your grief, loss, parenting struggles, relationship issues and life’s adversities. I can help. Let’s take your challenges and difficulties and turn them into positives for your future.

Providing Therapy, Counseling and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for anxiety. depression, trauma, life transitions. I can help you manage problems and renew hopes and dreams. You may be dealing with conflicting emotions, disappointed that family or friends have failed to listen, understand or validate your experience. Providing deeper understanding can help to decrease emotional distress and increase peace of mind. You deserve to live a life filled with kindness, hope and love. Reach out to begin the journey of Self discovery.

I'm here to create a safe place for you to explore. My goal is to help you feel important, understood, and comfortable. We'll build trust and explore your life together, finding peace and growth. I'm dedicated to empowering individuals to explore the complexities of their lives and personal experiences, leading them toward awareness and personal growth. I strongly believe that nurturing a healthy self-relationship is essential and is the key to navigating the world authentically and finding lasting happiness.

Dealing with various types of trauma and the ways in which it can impact our daily lives can be challenging. I am here to help you understand that your trauma does not define you. Your trauma reactions are valid and I’d like to support you in the development of healthy coping skills. This will allow you the freedom to transcend beyond traumatic experiences, forging a new path toward growth, healing, recovery and wellness. I can help you navigate and cope with addiction/substance use, PTSD, depression, anxiety, life transitions, identity related issues, and family/interpersonal relationships.

I offer a personalized, highly-trained approach to psychotherapy. My work is characterized by intuition, compassion, optimism and collaboration. I pride myself on being approachable and try to be straightforward and encouraging. I specialize in showing individuals how to reach their full potential, and achieve their own definition of success. I work with individuals, couples, families, kids and adolescents who are struggling with various life's difficulties. My personal specialties include relationship issues, postpartum support, parenting skills, depression, anxiety, Asperger Syndrome, self-esteem issues and women's issues.

I work with motivated, loving clients and with folks who are ready to heal from childhood wounding. My clients engage in self-study, discovering who they are and how to love and re-parent themselves. I work with teens, young adults, and families. I offer parent coaching to parents who want to learn how to effectively communicate and intervene with their children. My style is warm, curious, direct, and relationship focused. In the course of our work together, my clients learn skills that are accessible yet powerful. I've been in the field over eighteen years and feel lucky to support such incredible people on their healing path.

I help clients find paths that nurture and grow parts of the self that can enhance one’s experience of life to be fulfilling and whole. People come to me wanting to find out why their life is not satisfying and what could be done to work towards that goal. Often times they are stuck in life situations that block creativity and paths to self defined success. Goals often include happiness, pain relief (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional), self-awareness, productivity, insight, improved socialization, healthy relationships (or finding one), meaning, and contentment with life.

My roots as a therapist and healer have seeded over the past thirty-five years, bringing substance and depth to my one-on-one sessions with couples and individuals. During this time, I have maintained a private practice, which has always consisted of process-oriented consciousness work -- a means by which to enter safely and deeply into the inner landscape of the psyche for positive and real world change. My results-oriented approach to psychology is derived from the commitment to a conscious process and the intrapsychic relationship one can access when choosing to turn toward--and look at--oneself.

Are you struggling to feel understood by your partner? Do you ever feel like you’re having the same argument over-and-over again, and wonder why it can’t be resolved? Has your relationship been affected by infidelity, betrayal, or addiction? Do you hope that you could feel more connected to your partner, but are unsure how to move past things that have happened between you? Now, more than ever, couples are feeling more and more disconnected. The stress of dual careers, the distraction of our online lives and social media, and the demands of parenthood, all contribute to this feeling of being alone in your relationship.

I’ve worked with adolescents, young adults, and adults from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and in a variety of settings. I see many people dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, and I specialize in life transitions and adjustment, including experiences such as adjusting to a new job, beginning college, becoming a new parent or transitioning to more than one child in the family, and family structural changes like separation & divorce. I also specialize in both academic research and clinical work on the role of fathers in the family and issues that fathers face.

Eric Paulson is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and EMDR practitioner located in Venice/Santa Monica, CA. For over 25 years, Eric has immersed himself in the helping profession exploring both traditional and non-traditional approaches to healing. Throughout his career, he has worked with adolescents, adults, couples, families and groups in the treatment of attachment and developmental trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, spiritual emergencies, and psychedelic experience preparation and integration.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the states of California and Missouri. I take a collaborative approach to therapy and work with clients to establish goals. Together we identify problem areas and work to find a balanced solution. Often, I incorporate humor in my therapeutic approach as well as nontraditional therapy techniques such as creative arts therapy. I believe the key to an effective therapeutic relationship is one that entails trust, mutual respect, sensitivity and understanding. Currently I am offering virtual services throughout the states of California and Missouri.

You are fed up with repeating patterns that feel self-destructive. You are tired of being so reactive to the same triggers. You are ready for change, for relationships that fill your cup, and for a life that is purposeful and passionate. And you are probably totally overwhelmed right now. I get it. Wading through pages of therapist bios when you're already stressed, sad, and/or confused can be kind of the worst thing ever. But I'm here to help! I support clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, relationship issues, low self-esteem, stress and lack of clarity that big life transitions can kick up.