LOCAL THERAPIST WEST HOLLYWOOD
MEET Oliver Drakeford, TherapIST, WEST HOLLYWOOD CA
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly ten years of clinical experience, my private practice is in West Hollywood CA.
I believe that life becomes the most satisfying and fulfilling when the relationships we have with our 'Self,' with 'Others,' and our 'Family' are healthy and balanced.
Most often, the issues and problems that bring people into therapy in my West Hollywood office result from imbalances and relationship problems in any of these areas that is impeding their personal growth and living a fulfilling life.
Types Of Therapy West Hollywood:
Couples Therapy
As a couples and marriage therapist, I assist with numerous relationship challenges, employing a diverse array of methods and strategies in my therapy sessions, including Imago Dialogue and Gottman Techniques. I take pleasure in aiding clients to strengthen their connections and enhance their connections within a supportive environment dedicated to assisting others. I provide both online and in-person therapy sessions.
Family Therapy
I'm an experienced and effective Family Therapist and former Clinical Director of a teen residential center.In this role I helped hundreds of parents by providing an integrative approach resolving conflicts and other relationship concerns. I love working with families and parents to help them grow from emotional or physical trauma and dysfunction to healthy, happy members.
Therapy for Adults
Half of the clients that see me are individual adults, I create nurturing space to explore a wide variety of issues or mental health concerns from anxiety, depression and relationship concerns and any other unique goals a client has.
If you need to find a therapist Los Angeles, you can find out more about me, and how I work as a Marriage and Family Therapist below. I offer online and in-person therapy as a way to make my practice available to more people.
NEW:
RELATIONSHIP
MAPPING
Relationship Mapping is a Couples Therapy Intensive Experience designed to give you and your partner an overview of your relationship's strengths and growth points in a visual format. Unlike other couples workshops this takes only a few hours of your week and can be scheduled around your availability.
EXPERIENCED THERAPIST IN WEST HOLLYWOOD
With nearly a decade of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist West Hollywood, I provide therapy and counseling to adults, couples, and families in West Hollywood, CA.
I prioritize the importance of healthy and balanced relationships with our 'self', 'others', and 'family'. This lens gives me broad categories in which to explore how I can help people with a variety of concerns, including anxiety disorder, depression, addiction, dynamics, negative life experiences, and, of course, relationships.
After gaining my Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, I continue my training at the prestigious Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills. This has been further enriched with a certification from the Los Angeles Institute and Association for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS) in Brentwood. I find it important to continually strive to enhance my approach to help clients, by incorporating contemporary influences, such as 'Mentalization-Based Training' and 'Modern Group Analysis' training.
As a licensed therapist, i create a therapeutic environment to offer talk therapy in-office therapy at my office on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood CA 90069. I work with a wide range of mental health issues or concerns and offer a free consultation call if you need help or have questions. Additionally, I offer online therapy and virtual sessions for individuals located in California.
Whether it's helping individuals address past trauma or deal with concerns about partners or family, my goal as a therapist is to create a safe space for clients to assist them in making positive changes in their lives.
My approach to therapy focuses uses psychoanalytic and systemic thinking after building a trusting relationship where you can open up about old patterns, feelings, and pain points without judgment.
In this collaborative approach, we will work together, gain insight into your inner world and develop a personalized treatment plan to address the root causes of your concerns,
Through our collaborative work, over time, you'll learn coping strategies, find healing and relief from stress and anxious thoughts, and provide support as you cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and loved ones and improve well being. No matter your age, background, or the challenges you face, from depression, trauma, or grief, counseling can be the first step towards positive change and a more fulfilling life.
I enjoy working with adults and providing family counseling, as well as couples therapy to people in West Hollywood. In particular, have extensive experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community. I specialize in providing inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirmative in-person or online sessions for anyone in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City and The Grove. I can also offer online health care if you live in California.
Updated May 2024
Mental Health Support In West Hollywood
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SPEAKING & TEACHING ENGAGEMENTS IN AND AROUND WEST HOLLYWOOD
Some of my professional experience with clients,
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The Britley : Couples Therapy and Goals January 2024
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Insight Treatment Center IOP - West Hollywood - Family Systems Trainings and Consultation Groups, 2022.
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Antioch Community Therapy Services - Training West Hollywood ca. Modern Analytic Theory Techniques For The New Therapist. 2021 West Hollywood
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The Maple Counseling Center - West Hollywood ca / Beverly Hills: In-Service Training Modern Psychoanalytic Theory. 2020
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Antioch University, Culver City - Adjunct Professor. Group Process Methods, 2019.
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American Group Psychotherapy Association Annual Conference. "Utilizing Attachment Theory in Multifamily Groups in an Adolescent Residential Centers", 2019.
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American Group Psychotherapy Association Faculty Diversity Training 'New Ways Of Working With LGBTQ+ Clients in Group', 2019 - West Hollywood ca.
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Southern California Counseling Center: "Working With Mood Disorders: The Magic of Group Process and The Licensed Psychotherapist". 2018 West Hollywood
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Paradigm Adolescent Centers, San Francisco, CA. "Modern Group Analytic Thinking & The Group Contract"2018
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Pacific Teen Treatment Center - Training Therapy Los Angeles . Family Systems Training To Help Understand Structural Interventions for Behavioral Issues 2021, Malibu CA
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Antioch Community Services - In Service Training. Modern Analytic Theory Techniques For The New Therapist. 2021 West Hollywood
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The Maple Counseling Center - In Service Training Relationship & Marriage Counseling Help & Modern Psychoanalytic Theory. 2020
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Antioch University, Culver City - Adjunct Professor. Group Process Methods, 2019.
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American Group Psychotherapy Association Annual Conference. "Utilizing Attachment Theory in Multifamily Groups in an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center", 2019.
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American Group Psychotherapy Association Faculty Diversity Training 'Working With LGBTQ+ Community in Group', 2019
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Southern California Counseling Center: "Life Relationships & The Magic of Group Process". 2018
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Paradigm Treatment Centers, San Francisco, CA. "Modern Group Analytic Thinking & The Group Contract"2018
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Models Of Pride: "Best Friend Boot Camp- Emotions & Communication for Connection". 2017 West Hollywood CA
EMPLOYMENT:
Pacific Teen Treatment Center, Malibu
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Clinical Director
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Family Focused & Systemic Approach to Therapy
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Multifamily Group Facilitator
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Group Process & Group Therapy Experiential Training.
Paradigm Treatment Center, Malibu
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Lead Therapist
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Adolescent Therapist
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Lead Group Therapist.
The Maple Counseling Center:
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Adult program.
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Adolescent (ACT) program,
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Group Program: Co-Facilitator of The Gay Men's Interpersonal Process Group
Beverly Hills High School:
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Teen Therapist
Moreno High Continuation School:
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Group Therapy Co-facilitator
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Teen Therapist
Los Angeles LGBT Center
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Social Group Facilitator
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
The Gottman Institute
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Level One Certified Therapist
The Center For Group Studies (CGS)
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Certificate of Completion in Group Leadership
Los Angeles Institute and Association of Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS):
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Certificate in Psychoanalytic Studies
Anna Freud National Center for Families and Children:
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Mentalization-Based Therapy: Basic Training
Group Psychotherapy Association of LA
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Conference: The Problem and Promise of Power as a Group Leader
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Principles of Group Psychotherapy
American Group Psychotherapy Association:
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Conference & 2017 Donald T Brown Memorial Award Recipient.
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Conference 2018, Houston Tx.
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Conference 2019, Los Angeles, CA - Faculty.
EDUCATION
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Antioch University, Los Angeles: Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology.
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Manchester Metropolitan University: BSc International Business Studies.
AWARDS
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The Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health Donald T Brown Memorial Scholarship for Group Psychotherapy.
Services & Type of Therapy HELP provided by Mental health professionals
Finding the right therapist in West Hollywood CA can be a definitive step in your mental health journey. Whether you’re coping with anxiety, navigating relationship issues, or looking to foster personal growth, the therapist you work with has to feel like a fit. West Hollywood area boasts a diverse range of experienced therapists specializing in issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship conflicts, and LGBTQ-specific concerns, with options for personalized care through various therapeutic modalities. Counseling these days is not limited to where you live; even in West Hollywood, therapists across California are accessible to you through online sessions, offering flexibility to accommodate different lifestyles and preferences while addressing a wide array of mental health issues.
The journey of personal growth through individual sessions often begins with the first step of seeking the right licensed psychotherapist in West Hollywood. Whether you are focusing on sexuality, substance abuse recovery, or simply a desire for deeper self-understanding, counseling provides a supportive environment to explore your authentic self. As with any clinical social worker or licensed therapist, I am committed to providing compassionate mental health options that can empower you to lead a more fulfilling life.
Contact
Please book a free consultations call with me and you can ask me any questions you have and see if you think I'll be able to help you.
8702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069