Find a Therapist in Venice, CA

Bridget (Benninger) Kushwah, LMFT, understands that finding fulfillment and meaning in life is a journey filled with challenges. With her expertise, she recognizes how overwhelming new circumstances can disrupt one’s sense of stability. She is committed to supporting individuals facing stress, anxiety, and depression, along with navigating trauma, relationship conflicts, and life transitions, such as parenthood. Bridget’s approach is rooted in compassion and the belief that every situation deserves attention. She specializes in working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children, driven by her passion for fostering healthier relationships and facilitating positive development. Bridget emphasizes the importance of connection as a cornerstone of wellbeing and is skilled in nurturing attachments that help resolve conflicts and strengthen bonds. She acknowledges the uniqueness of each client, collaborating closely to identify personalized paths to wellness. Recognizing that reaching out for help can be daunting, she views this act as a testament to one’s strength and willingness to grow. Through a humanistic lens, Bridget is focused on empowering her clients to unlock their full potential. She supports them in replacing limiting behaviors, thoughts, and mindsets with healthy coping skills, guiding them toward a more fulfilling life.

Danielle Birrittella is a compassionate Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT, MA, MFA) who dedicates herself to accompanying individuals on their courageous journeys of healing, discovery, and self-expression. Known for her warm and inviting demeanor, she works with those who are curious and eager to engage deeply in their personal growth. Danielle believes in the profound power of the narratives people tell about themselves. Through collaborative exploration, she helps clients become more conscious of how these stories shape their lives, leading to new understandings and meaningful connections. As a depth psychotherapist, she possesses a deep reverence for the wisdom of the psyche and the unconscious, guiding individuals to explore facets of themselves for greater wholeness. Her specialties include working with artists, men navigating intimacy, families dealing with trauma or divorce, teenagers facing bullying, and women addressing body image issues. Moreover, she has considerable experience in supporting those with substance use disorders, dual diagnoses, and infertility, as well as leading therapeutic groups. In addition to her role as a psychotherapist, Danielle is a practicing artist and a creative entrepreneur, harnessing her eclectic spiritual background rooted in Catholicism, Judaism, and Hinduism to view the human experience from a mystical, philosophical, and transformative perspective.

Kayna Cassard, MA, LMFT, is a compassionate marriage and family therapist who understands the obstacles life presents. While many individuals may find the journey of overcoming challenges manageable on their own, there are times when additional support becomes essential. For those overwhelming moments, therapy offers a valuable resource. Kayna recognizes that the idea of therapy can often feel intimidating or stigmatized. Yet, it is a courageous step to seek help and initiate change. She specializes in addressing a wide range of psychological issues including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and addiction, while her distinct areas of expertise encompass sex therapy and issues related to sexual and gender identity. Additionally, Kayna sub-specializes in assisting women with pelvic pain disorders and leads an ongoing weekly therapy treatment group. Currently, she is also working towards becoming a Certified Trauma Therapist. With a firm belief that each individual possesses a fundamental desire and capability to achieve their fullest potential, Kayna collaborates with clients through psychotherapy to cultivate strength, peace, and happiness. Her approach emphasizes balance as a vital component in navigating the journey toward a healthier and happier life.

Dr. Linda Faun Sherman, a dedicated marriage and family therapist, brings a wealth of experience to her practice. Her ideal client is someone seeking a happier, more purposeful, and connected life. Many individuals may find themselves yearning for greater spirituality or struggling to navigate stress, depression, or significant life transitions. With a focus on mindfulness-based therapy, coaching, and a refreshing perspective on thinking and feeling, Linda encourages openness and transparency in her sessions. As a centered and joyful spirit, she connects with her clients through attentive listening and a conversational style. Her compassion and empathy shine through as she offers heartfelt guidance and gentle strength. Linda is a beacon of hope, helping clients embark on their journey to emotional wellness and fulfillment.

Brenda Beardsley, a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist with extensive credentials including MA, LMFT, CSAT, and EMDR, understands that there are times in life when individuals truly need to be heard. Through her in-depth yet solution-focused therapeutic approach, she works collaboratively with clients to uncover their true potential and guide them toward a life that is worth celebrating. Although the situations of the past cannot be changed, Brenda helps clients understand how their past experiences may manifest as challenges or obstacles in their present lives. Her specialties include addressing anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma, making her a compassionate ally for those on the journey toward healing and personal growth.

Hardy Lansaw is a compassionate and skilled Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, CADC, CAS, dedicated to guiding clients through their struggles with emotions and relationships. He specializes in working with individuals facing challenges such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), trauma, PTSD, and anxiety. Hardy's methodology blends trauma-focused therapy and skills training, emphasizing the importance of understanding past experiences while implementing practical strategies to foster positive change. His extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, grounded in Marsha Linehan's evidence-based techniques, empowers clients to enhance their relationship with themselves and navigate life’s hurdles more effectively. Hardy also has vast experience serving those dealing with complex issues, including addiction, mood disorders, and self-harming tendencies. Along with individual therapy, he offers support to couples and families, acknowledging the intricate dynamics at play in interpersonal relationships. Passionate about making therapy accessible, Hardy also provides concierge psychotherapy and secure video chat options, catering to the busy lives of his clients. He looks forward to empowering individuals and families to achieve their desired lives and unlocking their full potential.

Katie Pasternack, an experienced clinical social worker and therapist (LCSW, PPSC), firmly believes in the importance of having a supportive ally in one’s journey through life's unpredictable changes and challenges. She understands that individuals may face feelings of anxiety, depression, or overwhelm, and she reassures her clients that change is indeed possible. With her holistic therapeutic approach, Katie considers various aspects of life, including emotional responses, relationships, and daily habits, to foster true health and wellness. Rather than simply suggesting coping strategies, she integrates techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and cognitive restructuring into her sessions. This hands-on learning supports clients in building confidence and familiarity with these tools, empowering them to navigate their lives more effectively and with resilience.

Desy Safaín-gerard is a licensed psychoanalyst with a PhD and over 40 years of experience in treating individuals, couples, and groups. With her dual passion for painting and psychoanalysis, she excels at supporting creative individuals in navigating the challenges inherent in their work, ultimately helping them achieve their full potential. Desy understands that relationship issues can significantly impact creative endeavors and that difficulties in work can have a profound effect on personal connections. She is an accomplished author and scholar, having written, presented, and published numerous papers on psychopathology and the creative process. Notably, her latest paper, 'Victims of Envy,' was published in the Psychoanalytic Review in June 2019, and her insightful book on creativity, 'Chaos & Control,' was released by Routledge in 2018. Additionally, she has initiated an 'Expanding the Limits II' experience, bringing together an eclectic group of individuals engaged in various creative pursuits each week in her Venice studio, where they collaboratively seek to understand and overcome the primary obstacles to creativity. A distinctive aspect of her therapeutic approach includes inviting patients across different fields to incorporate their creative work into discussions, enriching their treatment experience.

Lily Theresa Gatica is a compassionate Marriage & Family Therapist with a Master’s degree and credentials as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). With a focus on helping adults and seniors navigate through challenges such as trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and life transitions, she employs a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Drawing from her extensive knowledge of modalities like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and EMDR, Lily creates a safe and nurturing environment where individuals and couples can explore and heal. Her culturally sensitive and relational approach reinforces her belief in the importance of connection and understanding in the therapeutic process, making her an invaluable ally on the journey toward emotional well-being and resilience.

Eric Paulson is an accomplished and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as an EMDR practitioner based in Venice/Santa Monica, CA. With over 25 years of experience in the helping profession, he has dedicated himself to the exploration of both traditional and innovative healing methodologies. His expertise spans areas such as addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, and spiritual emergencies, allowing him to work effectively with adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups. Eric embraces the philosophy of conscious transformation, advocating for shifts not born out of deficiency but through empowering growth. His therapeutic approach is grounded in non-shame principles, fostering the development of a solid and trusting rapport with clients. Eric's client-centered methodology prioritizes individualized goals, creating a safe space for corrective experiences filled with shared possibility and understanding. While his extensive training and skills are essential, the bond formed in the therapeutic relationship remains at the heart of his practice.