LGBT therapists in Riverside, CA

I'm Dr. Jack Sample, a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles offering psychodynamic, depth-oriented therapy at my office in Hollywood. My practice is informed by training and education in psychology, cultural anthropology, and nonfiction storytelling. I believe therapy is an opportunity to address the roots of suffering and support enduring change. My approach aims to cultivate capacities for thinking, feeling, and creativity to foster a greater sense of agency and aliveness.

After graduating from New York University with a BFA in drama, I moved to Los Angeles and taught drama and English literature at an L.A. public high school for nearly 20 years. My experience working with teenagers and their families taught me that, all too often, kids' barriers to learning are not academic in nature, but rather emotional challenges stemming from adversity and trauma. I became more and more interested in learning how to help teenagers and adults alike navigate these obstacles and come out stronger in the long run. So, I went back to graduate school to pursue a new career as a therapist so that I could help in a different way. My training and experience has focused on treating anxiety disorders (including OCD), PTSD and Complex-PTSD, and also couples - helping them to navigate challenges and triggers so that they can reset and reconnect.

I have been on my own healing journey for 40+ years and so I know personally how much courage and effort it can take to heal and grow. I also know how amazing life and relationships can get as a part of that healing process; I wish that experience for everyone.

I work with people who are thoughtful, self-aware, and a little tired of the usual answers. My practice draws from existential therapy, Buddhist psychology, and Gestalt three traditions that share one core idea: that lasting change comes from understanding yourself more deeply, not managing yourself more efficiently. I wrote a book about this, Growing Through Crisis, because I believe that the moments that crack us open are often the ones that matter most. I work with individuals and couples, including those navigating LGBTQ+ identities, non-traditional relationships, and kink or sex-positive lifestyles. I hold a trauma professional certification and bring that lens into grief work, relationship ruptures, and major life transitions.

Therapy is a way of showing up for yourself, a path of self discovery where you can reconnect with who you are today and the life you truly want. I’ve supported people navigating addiction, trauma, depression, and anxiety, and I believe deeply in meeting you exactly where you are and wherever you feel ready to begin. Together, our sessions become a collaborative journey, with me holding safe, steady space for you as you grow into the person you’ve always had it within you to become.

With over 15 years of experience, I have helped countless individuals navigate the challenges they face and find peace within themselves. Together, we can work towards culminating a healthier and more fulfilling future.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my dogs, hiking with friends, cooking, and making flower arrangements. I also enjoy spending time doing artsy activities or attending local events.