THERAPY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD THAT WORKS
If you're seeking professional therapy services in West Hollywood, California, you're in the right place. I'm an experienced Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly a decade of experience in helping couples, families, and adults. Seeking help is a courageous step towards a healthier, happier you. I provide a range of services to address various mental health and emotional well-being needs in person in my Private Practice or via online sessions.
Meet OLIVER DRAKEFORD, LMFT, CGP
Transformative Therapy, WEST HOLLYWOOD
Based in WeHo, therapist Oliver Drakeford, a British native, is a distinguished Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Group Psychotherapist.
His professional journey is marked by a rich clinical background, specializing in individual therapies for adolescents and adults, alongside offering family counseling and group counseling services.
Embarking on his career, Oliver gained valuable experience in the field, working with adolescents in residential settings, as well as at Beverly Hills High School and The Maple Counseling Center. His therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in his passion for psychodynamic theory, a fascination that was sparked during his pursuit of a master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. Following his graduation in psychology, Oliver deepened his expertise through year-long certifications from the Los Angeles Institute and Association for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS), and the Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis.
MY APPROACH TO TREATMENT
Adults, couples, and families seek me out for various issues and challenges. If I had to summarize the themes I work with, I would say that most often, they stem from imbalances and relationship problems with Self, Others, and Family.
SELF: if you are struggling with issues inc anxiety, depression, anger, ocd, perfectionism, or more general life challenges, I can understand how these struggles cause repercussions across all facets of our lives. The services I provide are designed to initiate your healing journey toward becoming the best version of yourself by coaching you through change to a better understanding of yourself. I use a range of modalities from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Psychodrama but rely on a core foundation of psychodynamic theory
OTHERS: Concerns about interpersonal relationships, whether within the workplace, home, or our circle of friends, can exert a direct and significant on our emotional pain and well-being. I am to provide my clients with valuable insights, skills, and tools that can help them learn how to address specific relationship issues and see results in a short amount of time. Sound and healthy relationships are the gift that has the potential to affect our mental well-being profoundly, and our sessions are the opportunity to work on any issues in this area.
FAMILY: When I work with individuals, I have an approach to counseling that firmly believes that our family of origin profoundly influences the individuals we have become, shaping certain aspects of our mental well-being and frequently casting a deeper influence on our present family dynamics and household. Making sure we understand how our past can continue to impact and then transform our relationship with it, is of vital use in terms a united family.
My approach to TREATMENT
As a seasoned Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with almost a decade of clinical expertise, my philosophy centers on the idea that life reaches its utmost satisfaction and fulfillment when the relationships we nurture with our 'Self,' with 'Others,' and within our 'Family' are in a state of health and equilibrium.
In my practice, I frequently observe that the challenges and difficulties prompting individuals to seek help stem from disruptions and relational issues in one or more of these vital areas, which hinder their personal development and growth.
Personal growth is most effective with structure and consistency, and I highly recommend weekly counseling sessions to maintain momentum in developing healthy outlooks and behaviors, at least for the first few months of treatment. Sessions can be in person in my office or online.
8702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069
SOME OF THE THERAPIES I OFFER
I'm an experienced Family Therapist and former Clinical Director of a teen residenital center. I love working with families and parents to help grow from trauma to healthy happy family members. Find out more about family sessions
I enjoyed working with creatives such as singers, writers and of course, actors and have found my approach to counseling to be very effective in working through creative issues to access deeper parts of the creative mind.
As a couples therapist I use a variety of techniques and skills ranging from Imago Dialogue to Gottman Techniques and enjoy helping couples reconncet and deepen relationships in an accepting space committed to helping.
Relationships and issues with sexual intimacy are what I love helping people with, deepening emotional communication, support, validation and empathy are often the keys to healthy relationships.
MY OFFICE:
I am centrally located on Santa Monica Blvd at San Vicente Blvd, close to most parts of Los Angeles, on Santa Monica Blvd. I provide in-person sessions and can also offer online sessions or telehealth if you live in California.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY:
The Best counseling my daughter & I ever received <3
your help was tremendous for my family and we are sooooooo grateful
Professional, caring, involved, effective. Our family cannot recommend more!
During the time I worked with Oliver I was able to experience the insight, passion and guidance he is renowned for
WEST HOLLYWOOD THERAPIST RESOURCES
Here are some useful resources for you if you live in Hollywood, Los Angeles or near WeHo and are looking for a therapist in the area.
City Of West Hollywood- The City does a pretty outstanding job of thinking about Mental Health and making things available to people.
Los Angeles County - The county also has a really useful body of information on its website that helps people find resources.
Psychiatric Services - Insight Choices in West Hollywood offers reasonably priced psychiatric services for medication and access to a psychologist.
Rehab / Substances - Cast Centers is located in the West Hollywood area and has a really solid reputation for treating addiction
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
01.
What issues can Oliver Drakeford LMFT help with?
I help couples, adults and families with a wide range of problems, from conflict to depression and anger management to eating disorders. If you don't see a page on my website that covers it, call me and lets discuss.
02.
How can I schedule a session?
That's the easy part, just click here to schedule an appointment time that works for us both.
03.
Do you take insurance?
Unfortunately, I don't but I probably have some ideas on how to work with you regardless. Let's talk about it in our consultation call, you can book that using the link below.