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Therapist in West Hollywood, CA
| Oliver Drakeford Therapy |
Looking for a therapist in West Hollywood who supports both individual growth and stronger relationships? I work with couples and individuals to improve communication, rebuild trust, and manage conflict without losing connection.
You’ll get a clear plan, thoughtful feedback, and skills to use at home. Meet in person in West Hollywood or online anywhere in California—request a consultation to get started.
My office is located in the heart of West Hollywood at 8702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood CA.
West Hollywood Therapist for Anxiety, Depression & Trauma (LGBTQ+-Affirming)
A West Hollywood therapist can help you work through anxiety, depression, and trauma in a space where you feel fully seen and understood.
Many people carry stress, painful memories, or emotional patterns that have built up over years. These experiences don't just go away on their own. Working with a therapist gives you a safe place to explore what's underneath your struggles and learn new ways to cope. An LGBTQ+-affirming approach means you won't have to explain or justify any part of your identity—it's already understood.
Common reasons clients in West Hollywood and Los Angeles reach out to me include:
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Persistent anxiety, overthinking, or panic that's hard to manage alone
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Depression or loss of motivation that makes everyday life feel heavy
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Past trauma or difficult family experiences that keep resurfacing
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Relationship or identity challenges that feel isolating
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A need for LGBTQ+-affirming support from someone who understands your world
This information is especially helpful if you've been thinking about starting therapy but weren't sure what to look for in a provider.
If you'd like to see whether we're a good fit, you can schedule a free 20-minute consultation call using the links below.
Mental Health Support In West Hollywood
My therapy office is located in the heart of West Hollywood at 8702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood CA 90069. I'm close to Beverly Grove, the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and Culver City.
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West Hollywood Therapist for Anxiety, Depression & Trauma (LGBTQ+-Affirming)
As your go-to West Hollywood therapist, I can support a wide range of people—from individuals navigating personal struggles to couples working on their connection and families seeking healthier dynamics.
Each person or relationship comes with its own history, patterns, and goals. Therapy works best when the approach fits who you are and what you're going through. That's why offering specialized support for different client types matters. Whether you're an individual, a couple, a family, or someone seeking LGBTQ+-affirming care, the work is tailored to meet you where you are.
"The most effective therapy happens when clients feel their therapist truly understands their specific life context—not just their symptoms,"
Here's a closer look at who we work with:
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Individual adults seeking help with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem, or personal growth
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Couples facing communication breakdowns, ongoing conflict, trust issues, emotional disconnection, or low intimacy
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Families and parents navigating teen behavior challenges, boundary struggles, blended family dynamics, or generational patterns
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LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples working through coming out, identity exploration, minority stress, relationship concerns, or finding affirming support
This breakdown is useful if you're unsure whether therapy applies to your situation or if you've been searching for a provider who works with people like you.
To learn more about how therapy could help you, your partner, or your family, schedule a free 20-minute consultation call using the links below.
West Hollywood Therapist for Anxiety, Depression & Trauma (LGBTQ+-Affirming)
As your go-to West Hollywood therapist, I can support a wide range of people—from individuals navigating personal struggles to couples working on their connection and families seeking healthier dynamics.
Each person or relationship comes with its own history, patterns, and goals. Therapy works best when the approach fits who you are and what you're going through. That's why offering specialized support for different client types matters. Whether you're an individual, a couple, a family, or someone seeking LGBTQ+-affirming care, the work is tailored to meet you where you are.
"The most effective therapy happens when clients feel their therapist truly understands their specific life context—not just their symptoms,"
Here's a closer look at who we work with:
-
Individual adults seeking help with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem, or personal growth
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Couples facing communication breakdowns, ongoing conflict, trust issues, emotional disconnection, or low intimacy
-
Families and parents navigating teen behavior challenges, boundary struggles, blended family dynamics, or generational patterns
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LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples working through coming out, identity exploration, minority stress, relationship concerns, or finding affirming support
This breakdown is useful if you're unsure whether therapy applies to your situation or if you've been searching for a provider who works with people like you.
To learn more about how therapy could help you, your partner, or your family, schedule a free 20-minute consultation call using the links below.
Therapist in West Hollywood —Individual, Couples & Family Counseling
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 assist people with a variety of concerns, including anxiety disorder, depression, addiction, dynamics, negative life experiences, and, of course, relationships.
Clinical Psychology Education and Advanced Training
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 people, by incorporating contemporary mental health influences, such as 'Mentalization-Based Training' and 'Modern Group Analysis' training.
My Work As A Therapist In West Hollywood
As a licensed therapist, I help clients by creating 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 find answers to 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 and to promote healing.
My approach to therapy focuses uses psychoanalytic and systemic thinking after building a trusting relationship where you can open up about old patterns, better understand 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, as well as learning new coping skills.
Through our collaborative work, over time, you'll learn coping strategies, find best 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, emotional 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 support in navigating life challenges. 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.
A Demographic Snapshot Welcome to West Hollywood
I'm thrilled to be part of a vibrant and diverse city nestled in the heart of Los Angeles County! Let's take a closer look at what makes this community unique:
A Bustling Urban Oasis West Hollywood packs a lot of life into a small space. With about 35,700 residents calling it home, it's one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S. Imagine over 18,000 people per square mile – that's a lot of neighbors to meet and great potential to live your best life.
A City for All Ages (But Mostly Adults) While you'll find folks of all ages here, West Hollywood has a distinctly adult social vibe: - The average resident is around 39 years old - Nearly half the population (47%) is between 25 and 44 - About a quarter (26%) are in their mid-40s to mid-60s - And 15% are seasoned citizens, aged 65 or older
Gender Mix In West Hollywood, you'll find a slightly higher proportion of men than women. It's roughly a 56% to 44% split.
LGBTQ+ Capital West Hollywood is famous for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. In fact, over 40% of residents identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. It's a place where everyone can feel at home!
A Palette of Cultures While predominantly white (about 70% of residents), West Hollywood is home to people from all backgrounds: - 13% of folks have Hispanic roots - 5% are of Asian descent - 4% are African American And that's just scratching the surface of the cultural tapestry you'll find here!
Remember, these numbers give you a general picture, but they don't capture the full spirit of West Hollywood until you live here and are part of our colorful community.
Why Choose Oliver Drakeford Therapy as Your West Hollywood Therapist?
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly ten years of clinical experience, my private practice is in West Hollywood CA on Santa Monica Boulevard.
I work with adults, couples and families and love working with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
How Much Is Therapy With You?
My fees are in the $200 range - I offer some sliding scale slots, and try work with you to accommodate your budget. If that's out of your budget, we can likely work something out if not with me, then one of my associates.
Do You Take Insurance?
I do take SOME insurance - you can find me on Headway which matches your insurance to providers in network.
What's my approach?
I'm psychoanalytically trained, family systems oriented and integrative in my approach. But what you need to know is that I believe and know to be true 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. So I help people with Family dynamics, relationship issues and understanding and knowing their own minds.
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 are impeding their personal growth and living a fulfilling life.
Where Are You Located And Is There Online Therapy Options?
My office is on Santa Monica Blvd, between La Cienega and San Vicente, just below the Sunset Strip, close to Beverly Grove, Culver City and Midtown Los Angeles.
And yes, I offer online therapy too.
Types Of Therapy West Hollywood:
If you need to find a therapist Los Angeles, you can learn more about me, and how I work as a Marriage and Family Therapist below. I offer online and in-person therapy for mental well being as a way to make my practice available to more people.
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 for your relationship counseling needs
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 concerns.
I love working with families and parents to help them grow from emotional or physical trauma and dysfunction to healthy, happy members.
My approach to family therapy is rooted in my extensive experience in family systems therapy, specifically structural family therapy.
Half of the clients that see me are individual adults, I have great experience helping adults and aim to create nurturing space to provide individual adults explore a wide variety of issues or mental health concerns from anxiety, depression and relationship concerns and any other unique goals a client has.
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Trauma Therapy
SPEAKING & TEACHING ENGAGEMENTS IN AND AROUND WEST HOLLYWOOD
Some of my professional experience with clients,
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The Britley : Therapy Los Angeles - Marriage Counseling and Personal 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. Counseling Help & 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 & Trauma: The Magic of Group Therapy 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 - Training. Modern Analytic Theory Techniques For The New Therapist. 2021 West Hollywood
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The Maple Counseling Center - Training Relationship & Marriage Counseling & Modern Psychoanalytic Theory. 2020
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Antioch University, Culver City - Adjunct Professor. Group Process Methods, May 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 Therapy". 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 Counseling Services.
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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.
In-Person Therapy in West Hollywood vs. Online Sessions Across California
Choosing between in-person therapy in West Hollywood and online sessions comes down to what fits your life, your comfort level, and what helps you do your best work in the room.
Both options offer the same depth of care and clinical expertise. In-person sessions take place at my office on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood, easily accessible from Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Culver City, and surrounding Los Angeles neighborhoods. Online therapy is available to anyone located in California and offers flexibility for busy schedules, long commutes, or those who simply feel more at ease in their own space.
Key differences to consider when choosing your format:
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In-person therapy offers a dedicated space away from daily distractions, which some clients find helps them focus and feel more present
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Online therapy removes travel time and works well for clients managing demanding LA schedules or living farther from West Hollywood
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Therapeutic relationship and treatment quality remain consistent across both formats when working with a licensed provider
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Flexibility to switch is always available—many clients start with one format and adjust as their needs or circumstances change
This information is helpful if you've been weighing convenience against connection and want to know that both paths lead to meaningful progress.
If you're unsure which option is right for you, we can talk through it together during a free 20-minute consultation call—schedule using the links below.
Book Free Consultation Call
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