Abby Goldstein, M.A. (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #112691)
Abby earned her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles, CA. She has worked with a wide variety of clients including adults and children from diverse backgrounds. Abby has previously worked primarily in community mental health and is now establishing her private practice focused on long-term individual and couples treatment.
Abby works from an integrative, trauma and attachment-informed perspective. Her areas of specialty include grief and trauma, as well as parenting. She also has training in emotion-focused couples therapy (EFT) and is currently training in DBT and somatic approaches (SE) in her supervision with Dr. Rodriguez. Abby formerly worked in the film industry as a producer and brings her strong interpersonal skills and creative-problem solving abilities to her clinical work.
Abby’s statement on her clinical work: “I can’t imagine a more fulfilling way to use my curiosity, life experiences, and interpersonal skills than supporting them in changing, growing and finding in purpose in their lives. I recognize the importance of creating an open, trusting, loving relationship in the room in order to help people bring that to the relationships in their life. If we have learned anything from the Covid-19 pandemic it is that we all need and thrive in relationships. Therapy is an important tool for developing and nurturing positive relationships within the yourself and with others in your life. I provide a safe, warm, non-judgmental environment, where together we discover and heal the obstacles to you having a deeper, more meaningful life. I believe that it is not the challenges or traumas that form us but how we respond to them. Collaboratively we can build resiliency to navigate life’s challenges.”
You can contact Abby directly at (323) 828-2589 or agoldsteintherapy15@gmail.com to speak with her further about whether she’d be a good fit for your needs.
Kathleen Locker, Psy.D. (Registered Psychological Assistant #94025870)
Kathleen earned both her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology in Colorado. She has worked in a variety of different clinical settings including forensic community mental health, intensive outpatient, and private practice. Kathleen has also worked with a diverse group of clients with regard to ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and age. She now works mainly with children, particularly with young children and their caregivers. She also have experience in working with adolescents and young adults. Her special interests include attachment therapy, parenting skills, and identity exploration.
Kathleen’s statement on her clinical work: “Our early attachment experiences with our caregivers shape our relationships throughout our lives. If we felt unheard or misunderstood by our families it can lead to difficulties in our adult relationships with friends, romantic partners, and ourselves. In working with young children and their caregivers, I hope to help parents understand how their own parenting impacts their identity as a caregiver as well as helping them understand their child’s needs and develop a deeper connection. Working with older children, adolescents, and adults, I strive to help you understand how your early caregiving experiences are impacting your current wellbeing. My goal is to create a secure relationship where you can feel understood and valued and better understand yourself through our work together.”
You can contact Dr. Kathleen directly at (818) 208-7307 or drkathleenlocker@gmail.com to speak with her further and discuss what you are looking for out of psychotherapy.
Nicola Persky, M.A. (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #134368)
Nicola Persky is a Los Angeles based Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles, CA. Before private practice she worked in community mental health. Nicola treats individual adults, couples and children. Her special interests include working with dissociation, depression, trauma and anxiety.
Nicola’s statement on her clinical work: “I come from a psychodynamic perspective and bring somatic tools, EMDR training and mindfulness practice to the healing space. I offer a warm, open heart and deeply curious, intuitive mind, utilizing the therapeutic relationship to foster safe healing.
I understand that many of our symptoms today come from small, insidious, chronic, repetitive experiences we go through when young, which in turn shape our thoughts, feelings and patterns of behavior. These patterns dictate the way we relate to ourselves and to others. Often we aren’t aware of these patterns and therapy provides the space to recognize and work through the old stories and unintegrated experiences that may be running our lives and limiting our choices.”
To speak to Nicola directly call (310) 963-0477 or email nicolaperskytherapy@gmail.com.
Taylor Schreiber, M.A. (Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #126851)
Taylor Schreiber earned his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to private practice he worked in community mental health as well as inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment. Taylor’s style uses empathy, humor, and gentle confrontation. He focuses on a range of topics and concerns such as complex trauma, addiction, depression, existential/identity issues, men’s mental health, and psychedelic integration. Taylor works with individual adults and adolescents, couples, and has experience running groups in a variety of settings.
Taylor’s statement on his clinical work: “I believe in every individual’s unique ability to heal themselves. My goal is to help people gain awareness into their past and how it informs their present. In my experience working in a variety of settings, I have seen that people unconsciously live their lives according to stories that no longer serve them. Through our relationship we will create an environment that will inspire awareness, call for authentic feelings to be expressed, and for a new story to emerge. I provide an environment that consists of compassion, non-judgment, and a deep appreciation for the change process.”
Taylor’s approach is informed by psychodynamic, attachment theory, mindfulness, and Internal Family Systems principles. He is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems informed as well as Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry. Taylor provides sessions via telehealth and in-person in Los Angeles.
Taylor can be reached directly at (323) 452-6754 or info@taylormft.com.
Nicole Strauss, Ph.D., Registered Psychological Associate (PSB #94026428)
Dr. Nicole Strauss received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Statistics from University of Maryland, College Park. She then worked in a research lab studying social cognition in adults with schizophrenia at 73Columbia University Medical Center, prior to obtaining her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. She has worked in a variety of different clinical settings, including community mental health, residential, inpatient, and private practice. She has also worked with a diverse group of clients with regard to ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and age. Her special interests include identity and self-esteem issues, emotion dysregulation, and complex trauma. She has trained in dialectical behavioral therapy, compassion-focused therapy, psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy, Jungian psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and humanistic/existential psychology.
Dr. Strauss is currently a Psychological Associate under the licensed supervision of Allyn T. Rodriguez, Psy.D. (PSY 27459). In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Strauss has published work in Psychological Medicine, A Journal of Neurology, Neuroimage Clinical, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Personality and Individual Differences, and Journal of Counseling Psychology. She conducted her dissertation research on the roles of attachment style and self-disclosure in the development of intimacy among strangers. She is also currently a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.
A statement on her clinical work: “I view all people as whole within themselves, though this is often buried under layers of conditions and beliefs we have learned in our lives. My task as a therapist is to help you rediscover yourself. In doing so, I’ve found that the therapeutic relationship is at the forefront of the work, as research suggests that it is essential for change to occur. It is also often the case that the therapeutic relationship tends to mold into a similar one to others you may have. I am dedicated to establishing a strong relationship with you and using this to guide you to explore yourself more deeply and unlearn patterns no longer serving you. In addition to the relational component, I will also work with you to build your set of tools so you are better equipped to interact with the world around you and whatever challenges you may face. I strive to draw out the beauty that lies below the surface such that you will feel better and shine brighter.” Dr. Strauss is passionate about helping her clients to discover their inner light and live with ease and confidence. She is also passionate about spirituality, movement, and living a life of wonder.
Dr. Strauss can be reached directly at drnicolestrauss@gmail.com and (408) 214-3043.