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Together at the Top

OUR TEAM

Douglas Friedman, LCSW

Founder, Therapist

My approach blends more than fifteen years of work in psychology with natural compassion, humor and insight. I'm not a passive therapist, I'm interactive in sessions. I use a holistic and eclectic approach that pulls from a range of clinical methods and life experience. I join with you to explore patterns, identify goals, and learn skills to facilitate growth and recognize potential for change.

 

I am invested in helping you live the life you really want, the way you really want to live it. In my private practice, I provide a safe space where people can be heard and understood.  I see people looking to improve the dynamics of everyday life and resolve conflicts that come from more difficult issues.  I help individuals and families develop emotional strength, clarity and confidence.

Doug Friedman, licensed psychotherapist, podcast host Your Mental Breakdown, LCSW in Los Angeles

OUR TEAM

Sasha Brodsky, LMFT

Therapist

Everyone has a story. I want to hear yours and help you write the next chapter from an empowered place. We can all use help to find the clarity and courage to walk through challenges in our own lives. Maybe it’s a specific event, an old pattern of behavior, a bad breakup, issues from childhood coming up in the present, or the stress from everyday living. Together, we’ll identify whatever is holding you back and get you on your way to having an awesome experience of your own life, whatever that means for you.

My approach to therapy is like diving in the water with you, swimming around together, and helping you find a way through that you might not have been able to see on your own. I blend my clinical knowledge and life experience with what works in the room with you. My style is creative, intuitive, and compassionate. With a dash of humor and a sprinkling of metaphor, we work collaboratively to move you forward and toward the life you want right now.

licensed marriage and family therapist, Sasha Brodsky, mindfulness

James Clarke, LMFT

Therapist

I love working with people who feel like they’ve lost direction or meaning in life, and while I don’t love that you might be feeling that way, I have true compassion and a passion for helping you get on the path to a life with more purpose, joy, and fulfillment. I come from a clinical and personal background inspired by spirituality, mindfulness, and existentialism.

 

My work blends the science of neurobiology and depth psychology with practical tools and behavioral skills to help you reach a deeper understanding of yourself and lasting change in your life. We’ll look at patterns that you might be repeating unconsciously; and, we’ll work to consciously break those patterns and find you more effective and authentic ways of interacting with the world. It’s my goal to help you find more balance in your relationships within yourself and life all around us. Together we can work towards you feeling more connected and in tune with who you want to be and how you want to live. 

James Clarke, Licensed MFT, psychodynamic therapist

Laura Halperin, MA, AMFT

Associate Therapist

I believe in the transformative power of insight. We can have an “Aha!” moment that allows us to gradually bring our puzzle pieces together. We uncover the reasons why we are the way we are, feel how we feel, and do what we do. I work with you to illuminate the unconscious so we can better understand and appreciate ourselves. As Leonard Cohen sang, “There’s a crack in everything, that’s where the light gets in.” In therapy, we start to actualize the picture we have held in our minds of who we really are. After working for 25 years in the entertainment industry, I changed my path and transitioned to becoming a therapist. I am grateful for the opportunity to help make sense of your puzzle pieces and transform your picture into the story of you that you truly want to embody.

 

My approach is one of authenticity, openness, curiosity, empathy, humor, and boundless enthusiasm for your journey of understanding, healing, and growth. I am here with you, whether you are seeking therapy to help manage anxiety or depression, to process an old or new trauma, or to navigate the challenges that life puts in front of you. With my clinical knowledge and my own extensive life experience, I can help guide you through a tricky transitional period, navigate the often wildly unpredictable realm of parenting, or reconnect in your personal relationships. I look forward to meeting you where you are, and beginning the work of self-discovery, recovery, and thriving.

Laura Halperin therapist, parent coach, parenting help, anxiety and depression tools

Kenzie Jenest, MA, AMFT

Associate Therapist

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. This quote resonates with me and guides my philosophy on therapy. I take an integrative and person-centered approach to learn about your reality and to help you experience life and manage all that it brings – the joys, the heartaches, the challenges, and sometimes the monotony. If you feel stuck or lost, I can help you find your authentic self and bring that out into the world.

 

I am passionate about psychology and my approach draws from a range of modalities. Simply put, I meet you where you are and guide you to where you want to be. I bring humor and humanity to the work, along with pragmatic and critical thinking. I balance unconditional affirmation with a healthy dose of accountability, so that I can challenge you when needed and nurture you when that is needed. We process the emotions and uncover subconscious thinking to get to the root of you. We work collaboratively to find meaning and purpose in your unique experience of life. I am a life-long learner and committed to personal growth as a career and a way of life. I look forward to learning about you and helping you live your best life.

Kenzie Jenest, teen therapist, teen counselor AMFT
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