Psychodynamic therapy examines the patterns, defenses, and relational templates that shape your emotional life, often outside your awareness. The work focuses on understanding—how you became who you are, why certain patterns persist, and what keeps you from accessing what you actually want. Symptoms often shift as a result of this understanding, but the goal is deeper: changing the underlying structures that generate those symptoms in the first place.
This requires time, consistency, and a willingness to look at difficult truths. It's not quick, and it's not always comfortable. But for people ready to engage at this level, it offers the possibility of structural change rather than temporary relief.
Working Together
What to Expect
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Frequency
Frequency is determined collaboratively based on what your work requires. Many clients meet twice weekly, which creates continuity that allows the work to progress more efficiently—often accomplishing in a year what might take two or three years meeting weekly. The increased frequency isn't about more therapy; it's about deeper, faster progress.That said, some clients begin once weekly and adjust frequency as the work deepens. We'll find what makes sense for your situation.
Session length
Sessions are 50 minutes.Duration
This isn't brief therapy. Psychodynamic work typically unfolds over months to years, depending on what you're working with and how deeply you want to go. There's no predetermined timeline—we continue as long as the work feels generative and meaningful. -
Psychodynamic therapy works by examining what's happening between us in the room, not just what you report about your life outside of it. How you relate to me often mirrors how you relate to others. These patterns become visible in the therapeutic relationship, where they can be understood and eventually shifted.
I'm trained in contemporary relational and psychoanalytic theory—a coherent theoretical framework for understanding how people change, not an eclectic mix of techniques.
The work is collaborative. I'm not the expert on your life—you are. But I bring a particular way of listening and thinking that can help you see things you haven't been able to see on your own.
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If you're working with a psychiatrist or other providers, I coordinate care to ensure an integrated approach. This isn't about siloed treatment—it's about everyone being aligned in understanding what you need.
Many of my patients are on medication, and I work closely with their prescribers to think together about how the therapy and medication complement each other.
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Fees: Individual therapy is $400 per session. Couples work is $600 per session.
Insurance: I don't accept insurance directly, but I provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
Location: Sessions are held in-person in Los Angeles (Carthay Circle) or via telehealth throughout California.
Cancellation policy: 48-hour notice is required for cancellations. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee.
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The first step is a brief phone consultation (15-20 minutes, no charge) to discuss what you're looking for and whether this approach makes sense.
If we decide to move forward, we'll begin meeting regularly. The early sessions involve getting to know you—your history, your patterns, what brings you to this work now. From there, the therapy unfolds organically.
To schedule a consultation:
Call: (310) 774-0517
Email: therapy@beacon-psychotherapy.com