Business Details
7 Years
experience
Personalized Psychotherapy for Mental Wellness in Los Angeles
As a licensed clinical psychologist in California, I have dedicated my career to providing compassionate and personalized psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults. My practice, established in 2015, is grounded in over a decade of academic and professional expertise, including a PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from The Graduate Center for Child Development and Psychotherapy. My work addresses a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral issues, with a focus on psychodynamic approaches that prioritize deep understanding of each client's unique needs. I integrate insights from child development, attachment theory, and neuroscience to tailor treatment plans that foster growth and resilience. With experience working in outpatient clinics and academic settings, I emphasize collaboration with both clients and their families to support sustainable progress.My commitment to excellence is reflected in my memberships with the American Psychological Association and other professional organizations, as well as my dedication to ongoing education in relational psychoanalysis and self psychology. I designed my office as a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions confidentially. By focusing on the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for healing, I aim to empower clients to overcome obstacles and achieve lasting emotional well-being. My practice combines clinical rigor with empathy, ensuring that every client receives individualized care that respects their personal journey.
Services
Child Psychotherapy
Adolescent Therapy
Adult Psychotherapy
Anxiety Treatment
Depression Therapy
Trauma Counseling
Family Conflict Resolution
Mood Disorders
ADHD Support
Life Transitions Counseling
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized, psychodynamic psychotherapy tailored to each client's unique needs.
- Our approach integrates deep understanding of child development and attachment.
- We provide compassionate support for children, adolescents, and adults.
- Licensed clinical psychologist with over 8 years of experience since 2015.
- Work with parents to support child growth and recovery.
Services
Child Psychotherapy
Child psychotherapy addresses developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges through age-appropriate techniques. Our approach focuses on building emotional regulation, improving social skills, and resolving early trauma or attachment issues. We collaborate with parents to reinforce therapeutic gains at home, ensuring lasting positive outcomes for young clients.
Adolescent Therapy
Adolescent therapy provides safe space for teens to explore identity, mental health, and life transitions. We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues through psychodynamic approaches that respect teenage development. Family involvement helps strengthen communication and support systems during critical growth periods.
Adult Psychotherapy
Adult psychotherapy addresses mood disorders, relationship challenges, and life transitions through evidence-based practices. Our individualized treatment combines cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic techniques to promote self-awareness and emotional resilience. Clients develop practical tools for managing stress and achieving personal growth goals.
Trauma Counseling
Trauma counseling employs specialized techniques to process traumatic experiences and reduce symptoms. We help clients develop coping strategies for intrusive thoughts and emotional distress, focusing on mind-body connections. Treatment emphasizes rebuilding trust and restoring emotional stability after traumatic events.
Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety treatment combines cognitive restructuring with somatic approaches to manage symptoms. Our personalized protocols address generalized anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias through gradual exposure and mindfulness techniques. Clients learn to identify triggers and develop sustainable anxiety management strategies for daily life.
People
Karen Makoff
Clinical Psychologist
Licensed clinical psychologist in California with PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from The Graduate Center for Child Development and Psychotherapy. Specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma across developmental stages. Integrates psychodynamic approaches and family collaboration in treatment.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
I primarily use psychodynamic psychotherapy, integrating attachment theory and developmental neuroscience. My approach adapts to each client's needs, combining evidence-based techniques like cognitive-behavioral strategies when appropriate.
Do you work with parents during treatment?
For child and adolescent clients, I actively involve parents to support treatment goals. This includes periodic family sessions and guidance for reinforcing therapeutic progress in home environments.
How do you handle confidentiality?
Confidentiality is maintained with exceptions for mandated reporting requirements. I discuss specific confidentiality limits during initial consultations while ensuring secure storage of all client information.
What sets your practice apart?
My unique background combines clinical child psychology expertise with postgraduate training in relational psychoanalysis. This dual perspective allows personalized treatment that addresses both immediate concerns and foundational developmental factors.
How are treatment plans developed?
Treatment plans emerge from comprehensive initial assessments that consider presenting concerns, developmental history, and client goals. We collaboratively refine approaches as therapy progresses to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.
