Psychiatrist in West Los Angeles, California, providing psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in a private practice setting for adults and older adolescents. I graduated with honors from Swarthmore College. I attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, where I won the Kenneth E. Appel Award for excellence in psychiatry and the Robert M. Toll Prize for research in the field of mental health. During medical school, I completed a research fellowship sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, studying HIV and addiction issues. Originally from the East Coast, I moved to California to complete a medical internship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). I then completed a psychiatric residency at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. I became board certified in general adult psychiatry in 1997. From 1998 through 2003, I served as a volunteer clinical instructor in the women’s mental health clinic at the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1999, I completed a two-year fellowship sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in health services and quality of care. I have maintained a private practice in psychiatry since 1996. I see adults and older adolescents individually for psychopharmacology and/or psychotherapy. I love making a difference in people’s lives. I find my work both satisfying and rewarding. I believe people can best realize their potential to grow in supportive relationships; a strong relationship with a therapist can change your life. I also believe that mental illness is a disease of the brain and that medication, when used judiciously, can be enormously helpful in relieving suffering. While I individualize treatment based on your needs and preferences, I stay abreast of the research literature to offer state-of-the-art care that is supported by the most current evidence. I believe in shared decision-making. I strive to make sure that you understand the choices you have, including the risks and benefits of each treatment option.

Many people first come to me asking the question "Why?" Why can't I stop doing this? Why do I keep having the same argument with my partner? Why am I so sad, lonely, angry, etc.? Why can't I change this? Why am I suffering so much? Why is my body reacting this way? Why did this happen to me? As strange as it sounds, sometimes really knowing ourselves is a real challenge, and it takes courage to embark on the journey to greater self-awareness. But knowing yourself is the only way to really know what makes you truly, enduringly happy and fulfilled. I invite you to get to know yourself. Let's work together to figure out how you can master your life, change unwanted behaviors, heal and ultimately get happy. I possess a wide range of professional and personal experience. I come from an honest, straight-forward place, and strive to share what I see and feel happening with you that may be getting in the way of your reaching your goals and living the life you want. My goal is to teach you to be your own guide. If you think you may be ready to address what's bothering you more directly, with some professional and compassionate assistance, please contact me for a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if we're a good fit.

In my work with you (consistent weekly 50 min sessions), I step in as a guide on your path, and am versed in being able to see things from a larger, more symbolic perspective with you, to help you do that with better ease yourself. The approach I use is called "holistic" because I am looking at your personality traits, strengths, talents, gifts, weaknesses, body system, energy system, heart, emotions, relationships, moods, and mental orientation to piece together the choices you have made on your journey here. Together, we look at Who You Are in a deeper way, and with a lot of love, empathy and compassion. What works and what is not working? Where are you stuck? Where are you in pain? Where do you feel empty, bored or lost? What do you long for? Where do you feel flow and joy? How are your relationships working or not working? Then we notice patterns and dynamics that repeat year after year. These show up in your physical world and your physical body. Perhaps there is loss, grief, anger, guilt or shame holding you back. I help you clear this so that more of your life force is freed up and you can live a more fulfilling life of your choosing. Many of our patterns are attachment related and go back to a time when we were very young or little. I can help you see this with greater insight, help you know yourself deeper, and fall more in love with your life journey. In this way, I am working with you the person, as well as you the Soul. I am not afraid to address the concept of the "soul" together and your deeper connection to all. In fact, it is imperative that we do.

Working with people is a huge passion of my counseling agency, and we are excited to work with you. Life can be very stressful, sad, and hard at times, and together we can try and figure out what you as an individual, couple, or family are going through and begin the healing process. A healthy, fulfilled, and enjoyable life is probably a goal for most of us, and I would like to work with you to strive towards this goal and others you may have. The desire of Waves of Peace is to provide a comfortable, non-judgmental, and friendly environment where you feel comfortable to open up about your needs. The personalized therapists here will work together with you to help you in a practical empathetic fashion. So, let's begin this journey together!

Hi, I'm Dr. Vince. I’m a licensed psychologist based in Pasadena, CA. I work with individuals and couples who are ready to stop just getting through it and start living with intention. My approach weaves together neuroscience, attachment theory, and values-based therapy to help you heal at both an emotional and nervous system level. I’m warm, direct, and I’ve been told I make the process feel a little less heavy. I offer individual therapy, couples and relationship counseling, and a couples intensive program designed to help couples dig deep and make immediate changes to their relationship. I take a collaborative, goal-oriented approach that’s built around you: your story, your strengths, your nervous system. We’ll work together to understand what’s going on beneath the surface, build tools that actually stick, and help you move through life with more clarity and confidence. I look forward to meeting you and helping you on your healing journey.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a doctoral degree in counseling psychology. I have been licensed for twenty-three years. My theoretical orientation is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); however, I also draw on solution-focused and humanistic theories, as well as psychodynamic and holistic approaches in therapy. I work primarily with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), and trauma.

When you live with constant anxiety, relational stress, or emotional burnout, just getting through the day can feel overwhelming. You might find yourself wondering why you keep getting stuck in the same painful patterns, no matter how hard you try to think differently or push through. In my practice, I go far beyond surface-level advice or simple “think positive” techniques. I believe that the ways you react, protect yourself, or struggle today are not personal failures; they are smart adaptations your body, mind, and nervous system created to help you survive earlier in life. My goal is to offer a safe, steady, and nonjudgmental space where your whole self can finally slow down and feel deeply seen. Together, we bring gentle curiosity and somatic awareness to these protective patterns. Rather than forcing rigid behavior changes from the top down, we work to release old trauma and stress from the roots up. By honoring the protective parts of yourself and caring for your nervous system, you can learn to truly trust yourself again, heal from past pain, and build a quiet, steady sense of self-worth from the inside out.

Hi! I'm Dr. Natalie Dungey, a therapist in California. I approach therapy from a humanistic, existential, systems-oriented, and psychodynamic lens. That means I look at the full picture: what happened in your past, what's happening in your present, and what you're worried about for your future. What does life mean to you? How have you been living your life? How do you make meaning out of your experiences, and how do you give your life meaning going forward? Most of my clients look like they're doing amazing on the outside. Maybe they've set the standard that no one needs to check on them because they've always got it under control, until it gets to a point where they're literally drowning. Don't wait until you're drowning to reach for a lifeline. Start building the skills now to accept that it's okay to take breaks, it's okay to take care of yourself, and it's okay to ask for help.

At times, experiencing painful feelings, managing stressful situations, life transitions, andor dealing with relationship conflicts, whether romantic or not, may hinder us from feeling happy, capable, and empowered to live our lives to the fullest. During such struggles, the guidance of a caring professional can be helpful. I will provide and facilitate the development of a non-judgmental and empathic therapy environment. In this fashion, your exploration of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and their underlying meanings are fostered. Through our interdependent and supportive relationship, you can feel safe to explore, increase self awareness and become more insightful of your individual and familial patterns and coping styles which affect your daily life. You can feel empowered to choose to continue or learn to adopt new ways that lead you towards an improved life and a stronger sense of self. I am available for individuals needing assistance during difficult life transitions, dealing with painful feelings, with relationship issues, parenting issues, communication difficulties, managing feelings of anger, suffering a loss, experiencing depression, or feelings of fear, anxiety or panic, struggling with eating disorders or other addictions, dealing with traumatic events, individuals who are judgmental towards self and at times question self-worth, and those who have the desire to increase self awareness and to build a stronger sense of self.

You may be dealing with anxiety that feels hard to shut off, getting stuck in the same relationship patterns, feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, or noticing that you just don’t feel like yourself lately. I specialize in working with teens, young adults, and families around anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, relationships, trauma, substance use, self-esteem and identity, and major life transitions. I also work closely with LGBTQIA+ clients and with parents and families who want to strengthen communication and better understand each other. My approach is warm, collaborative, and direct. I want to understand what’s happening in your life, but also why you may keep finding yourself in the same patterns, relationships, or situations. Together, we’ll look at what’s driving those patterns, how they’re affecting you now, and what you can start doing differently.