Gary Brown, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

What's My Approach to Therapy?

My Practice & Services

My fundamental ethos as a therapist is that healing is an innate, wired-in, biological drive that is ever present in all of us, no matter our histories or circumstances. It emerges when we feel safe, and can be harnessed with attention, affirmation, and guidance. My goal from the first moment of the first session is to harness these self-righting motivations.

My approach is emotion-focused, experiential, and relational: emotions (regulated and deepened) tell us who we are and help us to act on our own behalf; experiencing rather than merely talking about them is the fastest and most enduring way to heal and grow; and experiencing them with a steadfast, supportive, caring and experienced ally can be transforming.

I believe what has brought me to this field is my lifelong fascination with transformation--substantial and often rapid changes that are precipitated by romantic love, spirituality, emotional surrender, and the quintessentially relational moments of meeting and repair that occur in therapy.

I welcome diversity of all kinds. All are welcome. I look forward to hearing your story.

I was raised in an culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse section of Los Angeles and have lived, worked, and traveled in many parts of the world and the US. I love the ocean and getting around on two wheels, particularly for exploring the world with my wife and daughters.

I have been married 12 years and a therapist a little longer. I credit my individual therapy for my readiness to connect in a deep way with a loving partner. My wife and I have also benefited profoundly from couples therapies at distinct points in our ever-deepening and evolving relationship.

Other inspirations for my work include the delight I feel in my patients, and when working with parents, the thought of the children who will benefit from the secure base of their parents’ bond.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I have extensive experience with couples and have been part of dedicated couples training and supervision groups throughout my nearly 10+ years of practice. I particularly enjoy helping couples from different backgrounds overcome differences in styles and expectations.

Another focus of my practice is on expatriates, adult third culture kids (TCKs), and international students. I have lived and worked overseas and have helped many internationally mobile adults with issues related to life abroad and the return home.

As a former university-affiliated counselor, I also have considerable experience with undergraduate, graduate and international students, faculty and staff.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

The overwhelming majority of people participating in therapy get better, usually a lot better. According to Consumer Reports, 9 out of 10 report positive benefits and most benefit "substantially." Improvement typically continues after treatment ends.

But how does it help?

At a minimum, a consultation offers the insight of a professional who is familiar with the latest research on human development and the experiences of hundreds of individuals and couples.

That perspective alone can be immensely helpful! You come to appreciate how your choices, needs, and feelings make perfect sense in the context of human experience and your own life history. If there is shame, it is often replaced with understanding, acceptance, and new confidence.

Beyond this, I'm often able to reflect back what you say, think, and feel in a fresh way. Even when using their own words, folks often tell me that it is as if they are hearing something about themselves for the first time. In a sense, we're improving your access to your own internal compass. The result is a clearer sense of what you feel, who you are, and what you need.

Finally, at its best, the therapy relationship can offer an in-the-moment window into positive and problematic relationship patterns. By identifying these as they occur in our interactions, we are reinforcing good ones and creating space for new ways of relating in your other relationships.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

My approach is interactive and relational and draws on client needs, experience, and the latest research. I trained at the University of Michigan and at The Psychological Clinic in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I work extensively with experiential, evidence-based approaches including Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Transformative Couples Therapy (TC) and Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C) as well as psychodynamic (and in specific cases, where appropriate, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)).

The Duration and Frequency of Therapy

You can expect to feel something different or changing the very first time we meet. If that first session feels like a good fit, I advise individuals and couples to commit to at least 4 additional sessions. The average number of visits typically ranges between 16-24. Throughout this period, you should continue to experience movement. Some folks find that they continue to benefit and enjoy meeting well after this period. This works too! In all cases, how long we work together is up to you.