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Couple Therapy in Los Angeles | West Hollywood
Ready to reconnect, heal or grow? Book your free 15-minute consultation today and take the first step toward a stronger relationship.
If you and your partner are looking for couples therapy in Los Angeles, my office in the heart of West Hollywood is a calm, welcoming space where you can slow down, be heard, and start to rebuild. Located at 8702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, I work with couples navigating conflict, emotional distance, and communication breakdowns — as well as those who simply want to deepen a relationship that already means a great deal to them.
Sessions start at $155 and typically last 50 minutes. I offer flexible scheduling including weekly sessions, intensives, and secure online appointments to fit your life in Los Angeles. I work with all couples, and I particularly love working with LGBTQ+ partners — read more about Gay Couples Therapy.
What Is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy is a collaborative process in which partners work with a licensed therapist to improve communication, resolve recurring conflicts, and deepen emotional connection. It is not reserved for relationships in crisis. Many couples come to therapy proactively — to understand each other better, to break patterns that keep showing up, or to navigate a significant life transition together.
In Los Angeles, therapy often addresses pressures that are specific to this city: demanding careers, long commutes, cultural diversity, and the particular stresses that come with working in entertainment, tech, or entrepreneurship. Couples here often need a space that understands the pace of LA life and works within it, not against it.
How Couples Therapy Helps You Reconnect
The work of couples therapy is about more than resolving arguments. It is about understanding the patterns underneath them — the cycles of pursuit and withdrawal, the unspoken fears, the moments where connection breaks down and neither partner knows how to repair it. Using a combination of Family Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and the Gottman Method, I help couples identify those patterns, understand where they come from, and build new ways of relating that feel more secure and more honest.
Unique Challenges for Los Angeles Couples
Los Angeles places specific demands on relationships that are worth naming directly. Long work hours, creative ambition, and the pressure to perform — professionally and personally — can leave couples emotionally depleted. Many people in LA live far from family and long-term support networks, which means the couple itself often carries the full weight of daily stress, from childcare logistics to financial pressure to career uncertainty.
The entertainment industry adds its own layer: unpredictable schedules, periods of intense work followed by sudden quiet, public scrutiny, and the particular identity pressures that come with a career built on visibility. When one partner is in a high-visibility career and the other is not, the asymmetry itself can become a source of tension — around time, attention, money, and identity.
Entrepreneurs and executives face similar dynamics — high stakes, high performance, and very little room to be vulnerable. The same qualities that drive professional success (self-reliance, decisiveness, emotional control) can make intimacy harder. Therapy provides a structured space to practice a different way of being with your partner.
At Oliver Drakeford Therapy, I recognize these realities. My practice is designed for people with demanding lives, and I offer specialized services including Business Therapy for Entrepreneurs, Executive Coaching, and Therapy for Actors and Performers — all designed to help couples manage external pressures while nurturing connection at home.
Local Couple Therapy: Los Angeles | West Hollywood
With over a decade of experience, Oliver Drakeford Therapy is uniquely equipped to meet the emotional and practical needs of individuals and couples in a dynamic city like Los Angeles. Our approach is designed for people with demanding lives — including actors, performers, entrepreneurs, and executives — offering flexible and tailored solutions that help you reconnect and grow together, even in the midst of LA’s fast pace.
Therapy Formats to Fit Your Life
We understand that time and accessibility matter. Our practice offers several ways for couples in West Hollywood and the Greater Los Angeles area to engage in therapy that fits their schedules and goals.
In-Person and Online Sessions Across Los Angeles
In-Person Therapy:
Oliver Drakeford Therapy is conveniently located in the heart of West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd, within easy reach of Beverly Hills, Culver City, and Century City. The space provides a calm, private environment designed to help couples feel comfortable and supported.
Online Therapy (Telehealth):
For California residents, we offer secure online sessions — ideal for busy couples who travel frequently, have unpredictable work hours, or prefer the flexibility of remote care.
Couples Therapy Intensives and Weekly Sessions
We offer several therapy formats to match your availability and depth of focus:
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Couples Therapy Intensives — Tailored, time-limited programs designed for couples with tight schedules who want deeper insight and progress in a shorter timeframe.
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Relationship Mapping — A 10-day, concentrated process that provides a comprehensive overview of your relationship dynamics, guided by a skilled therapist.
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Focused Time Frames — Therapy can be short-term (10–16 weeks) or ongoing, depending on your needs and goals.
Our flexible scheduling allows couples to engage meaningfully, no matter how busy life gets.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Couples Therapy
I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ couples with therapy that honors your identities, your history, and the specific pressures your relationship may face. Whether you are navigating coming out, non-traditional relationship structures, family-of-origin dynamics, or the particular stresses of being a queer couple in a city like Los Angeles, this is a safe and affirming space for both of you.
I have worked with gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and non-binary couples for nearly a decade. I understand the ways that societal pressure, internalized shame, and the absence of visible relationship models can shape how couples relate to each other — and I know how to work with those dynamics directly.
West Hollywood is one of the most LGBTQ+-affirming communities in the country, and my practice reflects that. Whether you are a same-sex couple dealing with family-of-origin rejection, a trans or non-binary person navigating relationship dynamics that feel difficult to name, or a couple exploring non-monogamy or relationship agreements, you will find a therapist here who takes your relationship seriously and works with your specific reality.
Read My Couples Therapy Relationship Research Report:
Why Los Angeles Couples Face Unique Relationship Challenges
In a city as vibrant and demanding as Los Angeles, relationships face unique pressures. Long work hours, creative ambition, and the constant drive to succeed can make it difficult for couples to remain emotionally connected. When every moment feels scheduled, relationships can easily take a back seat.
Many LA couples also live far from family or long-term support networks. Without that nearby safety net, everyday stress — from communication breakdowns to childcare — often falls solely on the couple, amplifying strain and emotional fatigue.
The city’s high-performance culture adds another layer of complexity. Entrepreneurs, executives, and performers often experience unpredictable schedules, instability, and intense competition that can challenge even strong relationships.
At Oliver Drakeford Therapy, we recognize these realities and offer specialized services such as Business Therapy for Entrepreneurs, Executive Coaching in Los Angeles, and Therapy for Actors and Performers — designed to help couples manage external pressures while nurturing connection, trust, and understanding at home.
About Me —
Oliver Drakeford, Licensed Therapist in Los Angeles
Professional Credentials and Experience
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, specializing in couples and family therapy. For nearly a decade, I’ve helped partners and families navigate conflict, strengthen communication, and rediscover emotional safety through structured, evidence-based approaches.
I draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and Family Systems Theory to guide couples toward insight and reconnection. My practice offers both in-person sessions in West Hollywood and online therapy across California, making care accessible no matter your schedule or location.
My Approach — Empathy, Communication, & Evidence-Based Techniques
My work integrates both systemic and depth-oriented psychology to help couples uncover and transform long-standing relationship patterns. I view each partnership as a dynamic system — one that can heal when both individuals feel seen, understood, and emotionally secure.
Family Systems Theory
I rely heavily on Bowen and Structural Family Systems models to view couples as interconnected systems. These frameworks reveal the patterns, roles, and boundaries shaping your relationship. I often use genograms and other mapping tools to uncover multigenerational influences that might affect present dynamics.
Differentiation of Self
A key aspect of my work involves helping each partner strengthen their sense of identity and emotional steadiness while staying connected to their partner — what Family Systems calls differentiation of self.
Psychoanalytic Influence
My approach is also shaped by advanced training in psychoanalytic theory at the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS). This gives me a nuanced understanding of unconscious patterns and attachment wounds that can quietly drive relational conflict.
Training and Specializations in Couples and Relationship Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT):
I use a lot of EFT - it's a short-term, structured model based on attachment theory. EFT helps couples identify negative interaction cycles and express the vulnerable emotions that often go unspoken — fostering stronger, more secure bonds.
The Gottman Method:
I’m a Gottman Method Level One Certified Couples Therapist, integrating this research-based approach to help couples improve friendship, trust, and conflict management. The Gottman framework provides practical tools to deepen connection and sustain intimacy over time.
Professional Qualifications and Leadership Experience
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with nearly a decade of clinical experience supporting individuals, couples, and groups.
Beyond private practice:
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Certified Group Psychotherapist (AGPA): I hold certification from the American Group Psychotherapy Association, reflecting my background in facilitating deep, process-oriented group work.
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Leadership and Teaching: I’ve served as Clinical Director of a residential treatment center in Malibu and occasionally teach as an Adjunct Professor at Antioch University Los Angeles — experiences that keep me connected to the evolving field of mental health.
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I am very interested in helping people with anxiety and work in a unique, powerful and effective way - read more about my Anxiety Treatment Program in Los Angeles.
Specializations and Unique Service Delivery
The practice is tailored to address specific, high-demand client groups and logistical constraints common in Los Angeles:
My practice is designed to meet the needs of Los Angeles’ diverse and high-performing community, offering therapy formats that fit complex schedules and specific identities.
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LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: I specialize in serving LGBTQ+ couples and families, providing a supportive and affirming therapeutic space. Read more about therapy for LGBTQ Couples here.
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High-Demand Clientele: I offer focused services such as Business Therapy for Entrepreneurs, Executive Coaching in Los Angeles, and Therapy for Actors and Performers, addressing the stress and relational challenges of high-pressure careers.
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Intensive Couples Therapy (Relationship Mapping): For busy couples, I offer Relationship Mapping Intensives, a concentrated therapy experience that meets multiple times over one week. This format allows for deeper exploration and accelerated progress, guided by myself and an experienced co-facilitator.
Book a Couples Therapy Session in Los Angeles
Please schedule a free consultation call for an initial conversation to see if you think I might be able to help you.
I can answer your questions, discuss scheduling options and see if we’re a good fit.. I provide in-person therapy in my West Hollywood Office and offer online therapy sessions, too.
If you're not quite ready for therapy - take advantage of the free resources I offer - The 7'-Day Relationship Rescue PDF is filled with activities and tools for couples. I'll also send you an emotional intimacy quiz to help you understand the four pillars of relationship success - fill this form in to get it right away:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should we expect during our first couples therapy session?
A: In the first session, I’ll help both partners share what brings them in and what you’d like to achieve in therapy. We’ll explore key concerns, discuss your relationship dynamics, and set clear goals together. My approach is collaborative and structured — you’ll leave with a sense of direction and clarity about next steps.
How do I know if couples therapy is right for us?
A: If you feel stuck in recurring arguments, emotionally distant, or unsure how to communicate effectively, therapy can help. You don’t need to be in crisis — many couples use therapy proactively to strengthen their relationship, build empathy, and improve communication.
Do you offer online couples therapy in California?
A:Yes. I provide secure, HIPAA-compliant online sessions for couples anywhere in California. Virtual therapy offers the same depth and structure as in-person work and is especially convenient for couples with busy schedules or who travel often.
What makes couples therapy in Los Angeles unique?
A: Los Angeles couples often face high levels of stress, long work hours, and demanding creative or professional careers. Therapy here often focuses on maintaining connection and communication despite busy, high-pressure lifestyles. My work helps couples find balance and intimacy while navigating the unique pace of life in LA.
How long does couples therapy usually take?
A: Every relationship is different, but many couples benefit from 10–16 weekly sessions. Some choose shorter, intensive formats like Relationship Mapping, while others prefer ongoing therapy for deeper work. We’ll create a plan that matches your needs, goals, and availability.