Malibu is a place of striking beauty, but living there comes with pressures that are not always visible from the outside. The isolation of canyon and coastal living, the aftermath of devastating wildfires, and the demands of careers in entertainment or public life can all weigh heavily. When something feels off, finding a therapist who respects privacy and truly understands what daily life in Malibu looks like can matter just as much as finding someone with the right credentials.
As a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than two decades of experience, I offer a private, confidential setting where you can work through the concerns that are affecting you most. My office in Agoura Hills is about 25 minutes from Malibu via Las Virgenes Road and Malibu Canyon Road, a straightforward drive that avoids freeway traffic entirely. For those who prefer not to make the drive, I also offer virtual sessions to anyone in California.
My areas of focus include:
Malibu has a culture that values discretion, and I take that seriously. Many of my clients are public figures or work in industries where reputation matters. Everything discussed in session stays in session. There is no waiting room small talk and no chance of running into someone you know in my Agoura Hills office, which sits outside the Malibu social circle while being close enough for an easy commute.
If you are looking for a therapist near Malibu and want to find out whether my approach is the right fit, please schedule a complimentary phone consultation. I look forward to hearing from you.
Living in Malibu can mean constant low-level tension that is hard to name. Wildfire season brings dread. PCH traffic turns a simple errand into a source of stress. The entertainment industry rewards perfection and punishes vulnerability. If worry has become your default setting, anxiety therapy can help you recognize what is driving it and give you practical ways to calm your nervous system and think more clearly.
Learn more about my Anxiety Therapy in Malibu page.
Depression does not care how beautiful the view is. Some of my clients from Malibu describe a particular frustration: feeling low while surrounded by what others would consider paradise. That gap between how life looks and how it actually feels can make depression harder to talk about. In therapy, we cut through the surface and get to what is really going on so you can start to feel like yourself again.
Learn more about my Depression Therapy in Malibu services.
Malibu residents know wildfire trauma firsthand. The Woolsey Fire in 2018 displaced thousands and destroyed hundreds of homes, and the threat has not gone away. Trauma can also come from accidents, loss, violence, or experiences that happened years ago but still affect you today. I have over 20 years of experience helping people process what happened and move forward without being controlled by the past.
Learn more about my Trauma Therapy in Malibu services.
Recovering from sexual abuse takes courage, and it requires a therapist with real experience in this area. I spent over 10 years at a Los Angeles agency supporting children recovering from sexual trauma, and I am a certified counselor through the UCLA Rape Treatment Center. For Malibu residents who need this kind of specialized support, my office provides a discreet, confidential location just outside the community where you can begin the work of healing at your own pace.
Learn more about my Sexual Abuse Therapy in Malibu services.
*Certified: UCLA Rape Treatment Center / Sexual Assault Counselor
Families in Malibu face unique dynamics. High-pressure careers, public visibility, and the stress of rebuilding after natural disasters can all strain the relationships inside your home. Family therapy gives each member a chance to be heard and helps everyone develop better ways to communicate, resolve conflict, and support one another through difficult times.
Learn more about my Family Therapy in Malibu services.
Separation and divorce are difficult under any circumstances, and in a community as small and visible as Malibu, the added pressure of public scrutiny can make co-parenting even harder. I work with adults who are committed to keeping their children's well-being at the center, even when the relationship between the parents has changed. Together, we build practical communication strategies that reduce conflict and create stability for your kids.
Learn more about my Co-Parenting Therapy in Malibu services.
Children in the Malibu area face experiences that most kids do not have to think about. Wildfire evacuations, rebuilding after loss, and the particular pressures of growing up in a high-profile community can all affect a child's sense of safety. I work with children ages 8 and up, using age-appropriate approaches to help them express what they are feeling and develop the confidence to handle difficult situations.
Learn more about child therapy in Malibu.
Teens in Malibu often deal with a mix of pressures that can be hard for outsiders to understand. Social media comparison, academic expectations at SMMUSD schools, and the influence of growing up around the entertainment industry all create stress. I work with teenagers to address anxiety, depression, identity questions, and relationship difficulties in a space where they can speak freely without judgment.
Learn more about teen therapy in Malibu.
Adults in the Malibu area often carry a lot beneath the surface. High-stakes careers, public visibility, the lasting effects of wildfire trauma, and the quiet isolation that can come with coastal canyon living all take a toll over time. In therapy, I provide a confidential space to talk through what is really going on and develop strategies that work in your actual life, not just in theory.
Whether you are dealing with anxiety, recovering from a painful experience, going through a divorce, or feeling stuck in ways you cannot quite explain, I bring over 20 years of experience to our work together. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I also help adults address issues in their closest relationships so the patterns that are causing pain can start to shift.
Many longtime Malibu residents are now facing the realities of aging: the loss of a spouse, changes in health, retirement from careers that defined them, and a growing sense of isolation. Therapy gives older adults a place to process these changes honestly and with someone who listens without rushing them. Virtual sessions are especially convenient for seniors in Malibu who prefer not to drive.
Learn more about therapy for seniors in Malibu.
My office in Agoura Hills, CA 91301 is convenient for in-person therapy for Malibu residents. The canyon route connects Malibu directly to my office without requiring freeway driving. I also see clients from the surrounding communities, including Agoura Hills, CA, Calabasas, CA, Westlake Village, CA, Topanga, CA, Woodland Hills, CA, Thousand Oaks, CA, and Oak Park, CA. Virtual therapy sessions are available to individuals located anywhere within the state of California.
If you are ready to take the first step, I invite you to reach out to schedule a complimentary phone consultation. Together, we can determine whether my approach is the right fit for what you need.
Offering Both Virtual And In-Person Sessions