Psychodynamic therapists in Santa Monica, California CA
We are proud to feature top rated Psychodynamic therapists in Santa Monica. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Timothy Walker
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Where within you does conflict persist?
Is it in the body, a swirling energy the surges without explanation, keeping you spinning in thought circles and struggling to sleep or relax (ANXIETY)?
Is it in the heart, the whistling emptiness of grief, or the stabbing pain of ruptured relationships, and lost connections (DEPRESSION)?
Is it in the head, thoughts that won’t stop reciting their well worn verses of what-ifs and should-haves (OCD/ADHD)?
Is it in the spirit, an anguish of being, the unknown outnumbering the known to a paralyzing degree, questions of WHY swirling intangible as mist, existential questions, the ground beneath our feet uneven and unsteady (BELIEF/MEANING)?
Is it in all of the above, and in your dreams as well, impacting ability to connect with others, to be still with yourself, to be intimate, to give and receive love, to accept what was, embrace what will be, and surrender to the now (TRAUMA)?
9 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Life After Birth
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
Life After Birth stands out for its specialized focus on the mental and emotional experience of aspiring, expectant, and new parents. Founder and Clinical Director Molly Nourmand, LMFT has been doing this work since 2017 and is widely respected in the maternal mental health community. Clients are often drawn to the practice because they are looking for knowledgeable, compassionate support from clinicians who understand the challenges of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and early parenthood. Life After Birth combines clinical expertise with warmth, community, and a deep commitment to helping parents feel seen and supported.
13 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 904043042
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Psychodynamic Therapy
J. Rosalyn Diehl
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MA, LMHC, LPPC, LPC
My focus areas include women’s emotional wellness, relationship anxiety, and patterns that impact connection and self-worth. I also support clients through major life transitions such as relationship changes, career shifts, and family dynamics. I help clients identify recurring patterns, heal emotional wounds, and develop healthier, more secure ways of relating and moving forward.
12 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Christian Holmes
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Find freedom, joy, and purpose. I help clients actualize their health, wealth, relationships and higher purpose. I specialize in working with high achievers in the areas of anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues / family conflict and spiritual growth. I also do significant work with clients experiencing attachment issues and trauma / PTSD using EMDR.
8 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Psychodynamic Therapy
Bruce Howard
Psychologist, PhD
For over 30 years, I have brought expertise, creativity, enthusiasm, and positive change to individuals and couples I have worked with. To achieve personal goals, effective therapy must bring integration of the physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of our functioning.
43 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Psychodynamic Therapy
Dr Mark Baker
Psychologist, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist
Our counseling center focuses on in depth individual psychotherapy for those who have tried other approaches and yet still find themselves in need of something more, as well as intensive marital therapy by skilled clinicians who specialize in repairing broken bonds in intimate relationships.
46 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Psychodynamic Therapy
Tracey Kiernan
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, AMFT
You may be finding that things that used to feel manageable no longer do. You’re overthinking more, feeling anxious or on edge, or noticing you’re either reacting quickly or shutting down altogether. You might feel disconnected from yourself, unsure why you feel “off,” or frustrated that you can’t seem to get back to how you used to be. In your relationship, you may be having the same conversations on repeat, feeling unheard, or struggling to stay connected despite your efforts. For many, this is happening alongside a major life shift—like perimenopause, burnout, or changes in identity—that’s hard to fully put into words but deeply felt.
I specialize in working with women and couples navigating high-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship challenges, and life transitions, including perimenopause. These experiences can impact not only your sense of self, but also how you show up in your relationships, often leading to repeated conflict, emotional distance, or difficulty communicating in a way that actually feels productive.
My approach to therapy is both compassionate and focused. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as ACT, CBT, psychodynamic, Gestalt, somatic, and Gottman-informed couples therapy. We begin by helping you feel more grounded and regulated, so you’re not just talking about your experiences, but are able to work with them in a meaningful way. From there, we explore the underlying patterns driving what you’re experiencing and focus on creating lasting, practical change.
Therapy with me is collaborative, direct, and tailored to you. The goal is not just insight, but helping you feel more like yourself again—clearer, more connected, and better able to navigate your life and relationships.
2 Years Experience
In-Person in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Psychodynamic Therapy
KIM RICHARDSON LINDLEY
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, LPCC, I CADC II
When asked to describe myself in one word, I generally choose unflappable, which may be another way of saying grounded. I jumped into this work with two feet, training first in addiction at UCLA, and then at Pacific Graduate Institute for a Masters in Counseling. I am a certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, I CADC II, and hold dual licensure as LMFT and LPCC. I also trained in EMDR, at the Parnell Institute.
17 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Online in Santa Monica, CA California
Psychodynamic Therapy
Alan Hanft
Psychiatrist, M.D.
I’m a board certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, and also a board certified Adult Psychiatrist, seeing young children, teenagers, and adults. In general, my approach is to listen carefully, empathetically, to try to understand your situation as well, thoroughly as possible, and then work with you to develop a safe and effective treatment plan in a supportive environment. I believe a comprehensive plan is best, and not to rely solely on medications, although medications can certainly be very helpful in many situations. The goal is to help you with your problems, relieve distress, and thus improve your quality of life.
34 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Monica, CA
Psychodynamic Therapy
Anna Schick
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I work with adults and couples. I work with issues surrounding anxiety, depression, low self esteem, perfectionism and highly sensitive people. I also work with people who are in the entertainment field as well as adults struggling with eating disorders. I will support you in leading an authentic life and helping you understand what's blocking you.
16 Years Experience
Online in Santa Monica, CA California (Online Only)
Santa Monica combines proximity to the entertainment industry with a strong wellness culture, creating demand for therapists who specialize in performance anxiety, the pressures of creative and entertainment careers, identity, and the particular stresses of living adjacent to fame and public scrutiny. The area's affluent demographic and beach lifestyle coexist with significant rates of anxiety, eating concerns, and relationship distress, and the Westside has a notably high density of experienced therapists relative to its size. Providence Saint John's Health Center and UCLA Health provide institutional mental health anchors for the Westside community. Many Santa Monica therapists also serve clients from Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and the broader Westside corridor.
Psychodynamic Therapy therapists in Santa Monica, California Statistics
Psychodynamic Therapy therapists in Santa Monica, California average 15 years of experience and charge around $212 per session. 97% offer online sessions. The most commonly treated issues are Anxiety or Fears (78%), Depression (68%), and Trauma and PTSD (61%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$212
Accept insurance
32%
Offer sliding scale
56%
Gender ID
| 68% |
Female |
|
| 28% |
Male |
|
| 2% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 55% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 42% |
Online Only |
|
| 3% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Specialties
| 78% | Anxiety or Fears |
| 68% | Depression |
| 61% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 54% | Relationship and Marriage Counseling |
| 48% | Loss or Grief |
| 48% | Stress |
| 45% | Self Esteem |
Ages Served
| 96% | Adult |
| 60% | Young Adult |
| 52% | Teen |
| 46% | Senior |
| 19% | Children |
Client Focus
| 53% | Women |
| 42% | LGBTQ+ |
| 40% | Men |
| 24% | Christian |
| 23% | Hispanic / Latino |