Grief counselors and therapists in Manhattan Beach, CA

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialization in spirituality and depth psychology. At the heart of my work is a deep belief that healing begins with self-love and unconditional acceptance — for yourself, not just others. I've seen how harsh self-judgment holds people back, so I bring a compassionate, non-critical presence to every session. I also believe strongly in building graceful boundaries and healthy self-care routines as the foundation for a fulfilling life. Whatever has brought you here — grief, a difficult relationship, trauma, or simply a desire to know yourself better — I'm here to walk alongside you without judgment.

My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. I believe healing begins through connection, and I strive to build a therapeutic relationship that helps you better understand yourself, navigate life's challenges, and create lasting change.

My experience spans crisis intervention, individual counseling, and a variety of therapeutic settings, giving me a broad foundation to draw from. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I meet each client where they are and tailor therapy to their unique needs, goals, and strengths.

Born in Vietnam and raised in the United States, my career has spanned work as a classroom teacher, registered financial advisor, technical and relational manager, and EAP counselor for Fortune 500 companies. With additional training in substance abuse, employee assistance programs, and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, I combine practical real-world experience with compassionate, identity-affirming care.

I earned a Masters degree in Clinical psychology in 2014 from Antioch University Los Angeles. I have since enjoyed working with clients of all ages and backgrounds. The areas that I hold the most experience in within my clinical work, are women's issues, relationships, issues in adolescence and individuals and families dealing with autism and other disorders. I believe a collaborative therapeutic relationship built on respect, trust, and honesty creates a healthy open space for people to grow.

With more than 15 years in clinical practice as a psychologist, I have partnered with individuals and families experiencing significant change and hardships.

We all need a little help from time to time to get support for our...grief, trauma, depression, confusing thoughts, self criticism, intense feelings, and improve our relationship with ourselves. Helping ease your painful moments is the most important work we can accomplish together. Sometimes we just need someone to stand by us, assure us that it's going to be okay and guide us through the tough parts. Please give me a call today, we can see how to work together for a better quality of life.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist (PsyD) with extensive experience working in residential treatment, sober living, and private practice settings since 2010. My career began as an intern in an eating disorder residential program, later expanding into adolescent dual-diagnosis treatment. Alongside completing my doctorate in clinical psychology, I launched my private practice, where I continue to work with clients through Telehealth. Currently, I also work in a sober living facility, supporting adults facing addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges.

I entered into this field to help individuals to learn, grow and heal at their own pace. I fundamentally believe that we are the experts of ourselves and our experiences. My role through my education, learning and experience is to support clients’ in unlocking their awareness of patterns to increase the clients’ ability to access the tools within them to facilitate their learning, growth and healing through a collaborative process.

As a Black/African American woman, I am passionate about working with people of color (especially people of color who identify as LGBTIA+) in destigmatizing mental health in our communities and identifying how systemic racism/systemic oppression affect our mental health.

My strengths as a therapist are rooted in fifteen years of experience working in the field as a mental health clinician in a variety of settings. I have supported individual’s ability to access their inherent tools to overcome struggles connected to trauma, grief & loss, depression and general anxiety. Over the course of my experience I have developed skills in providing therapy to underrepresented, underserviced families, children, individuals, and couples. I also have a wealth of experience supporting youth involved in the juvenile justice system, oppositional teens, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine human relationship. My goal is to create an environment where you feel accepted, challenged, and supported—not judged. I'll celebrate your successes with you, help you make sense of the difficult moments, and gently point out the patterns that may be holding you back. I bring curiosity, humor, and compassion into my work because meaningful growth doesn't have to happen in a room that feels cold or intimidating.

Introduction

I hope these words find you in a good way. I am an LCSW, and it is with great care and compassion that I invite you into space. As a survivor of many life adversities and challenges myself, I understand that healing and understanding oneself is unique to each individual and is rooted in our ways of knowing.

My approach

I take a strength and resilience-based approach in holding space, which is centered on empathy and compassion. My intentions are to create a safe space for you to offer your goals and intentions. We will work together in creating a space that feels grounding and empowering for you to walk this road of self-discovery and healing.

My journey to becoming a provider

I'm a Chicana and first-generation clinician from Oakland with roots from Guadalajara Mexico & Yaqui ancestry. I am an artist, poet, and healer within my circle and practice traditional plant medicine and other ways of knowing which were taught to me by my Elders. These roots guide my path as a healer and are my foundation in how I cultivate space.

My name is Paul Tran, and I am a Vietnamese-American Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over the past 10 years, I have worked with various populations with diverse backgrounds and challenges including trauma, crisis, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, racial challenges, and immigration issues. My mission is to offer you a safe space for you to truly express and be seen as your whole self, and to bear witness to your growth and healing journey.

I am a dedicated clinician with 10+years of experience working in mental health services. Therapy is the first step in your journey of self exploration and change.