If your partner often asks for reassurance, worries about the relationship, or seems overly sensitive to distance, they might have anxious attachment—and no, this isn’t just about being “needy” or “insecure.” It’s about how they’ve learned to seek safety in relationships. For couples, this dynamic can be challenging, especially if one partner leans more independent or […]

Nervous System Regulation Ever feel like you’re on edge 24/7, ready to fight, flee, or curl up in a blanket burrito and pretend adulting isn’t real? That’s your nervous system doing its thing—sometimes a little too well. As a therapist in Hermosa Beach, I see so many individuals and couples who don’t realize their nervous system is […]

Self-Abandonment: Why You Keep Putting Yourself Last (And How to Stop) If you’ve ever said “it’s fine” when it absolutely was not fine, or agreed to something just to avoid conflict (even though you reallllly didn’t want to), congrats—you’ve met self-abandonment. It’s that sneaky habit of ignoring your needs, downplaying your feelings, and bending over backward to […]

Why Do Some People Work Too Much? And How Can Therapy Help? In a culture that glorifies the hustle, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that our worth is tied to our productivity. Working hard is often seen as a virtue, a badge of honor that signals ambition, resilience, and dedication. But […]

Powerhouse, high-achieving women are remarkable, largely due to their ability to dig deep when things get tough, overcome obstacles, and excel where others quit. High-achieving women are, to a fault, amazing at compensation. A lot of that compensation is coupled with a determined striving personality. That’s what makes them high-achieving. Many women who fit this […]

The Importance and Benefits of Premarital Counseling Are you planning to tie the knot soon? Congratulations! Before you say “I do,” it’s essential to have open and honest conversations about important topics that will shape your future together. This is where premarital counseling comes in. Whether in person in Hermosa Beach or online, couples therapy […]

How Having a Baby Changes Your Relationship: Insights from a Couples Therapist Bringing a baby into the world is one of the most profound transitions a couple will ever experience. It’s joyful, exhausting, and often overwhelming—all at once. Many couples are surprised by just how much their relationship changes after having a baby. While some […]

All relationships involve an element of cross-cultural exchange. Even when two people share the same nationality, religion, or ethnicity, they often come from unique families with distinct traditions, values, and ways of viewing the world. For some couples, these differences enrich the relationship, fostering curiosity and growth. However, for others, these cultural differences can create […]

What Is Disorganized Attachment? Disorganized attachment is a concept from developmental psychology—specifically attachment theory—that describes a pattern of insecure bonding that can develop during childhood. This type of attachment often arises from caregiving experiences that are inconsistent, neglectful, or even frightening. Think of it as an internal tug-of-war about closeness. On one hand, there is […]

Exploring the Complexities of Avoidant Attachment in Therapy In the world of relationships and emotional connection, attachment styles reign supreme in shaping how we interact, love, and build bonds. Among these styles, avoidant attachment stands out as particularly intriguing—and often misunderstood. As a therapist in Hermosa Beach working with individuals and couples, I frequently see […]