Business Details
Your Trusted Mental Health Therapist in West Los Angeles, CA
I am a licensed psychologist with over two decades of experience providing psychotherapy for individuals and couples. My practice serves clients in Los Angeles and throughout California via telehealth. I specialize in couple therapy that values gender differences, individual therapy for men navigating societal expectations, and stress reduction techniques for high-pressure professionals. Using research-proven methods, I create a safe space for clients to explore emotions, improve relationships, and achieve personal growth.My background includes academic leadership as a professor in California State University's counseling program and recognition as Practitioner of the Year by the American Psychological Association's men and masculinities division. I combine clinical expertise with a compassionate approach to help clients overcome challenges ranging from relationship conflicts to career stress.
Services
Couple Therapy
Individual Therapy
Telehealth Sessions
Stress Management
Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Men's Mental Health
Relationship Counseling
Personal Growth Therapy
Professional Stress Support
Post-Divorce Recovery
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of clinical experience in evidence-based psychotherapy
- Our team specializes in gender-sensitive approaches for men's mental health
- We provide practical tools for managing stress in high-pressure professions
- Our practice combines academic expertise with real-world therapeutic applications
- We use Emotionally-Focused Therapy proven effective through clinical research
Associations and certifications
- American Psychological Association
- International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally-focused Therapy
Services
Couple Therapy
Specialized therapy for couples addressing communication issues, infidelity recovery, and relationship strengthening. Uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to create secure attachments and improve conflict resolution. Helps partners develop deeper emotional connections through structured sessions that balance exploration of past patterns with practical communication tools.
Individual Therapy
Tailored mental health support for individuals dealing with stress, self-criticism, and life transitions. Focuses on integrating emotional awareness with practical solutions. Specializes in helping clients navigate professional pressures, relationship challenges, and personal growth through evidence-based therapeutic techniques adapted to each person's unique needs.
Men's Mental Health
Therapeutic approach addressing traditional masculinity norms and their impact on emotional well-being. Creates safe space for men to explore vulnerabilities while maintaining strength. Combines clinical expertise with understanding of societal expectations to help men develop healthier emotional expression and relationship patterns.
Telehealth Sessions
Secure virtual therapy sessions available across California. Maintains same therapeutic quality as in-person visits through HIPAA-compliant platforms. Offers flexibility for clients maintaining professional schedules or preferring home-based sessions while ensuring consistent therapeutic engagement and progress tracking.
Stress Management
Targeted interventions for high-pressure professionals in entertainment, legal, healthcare, and business fields. Combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with emotional regulation strategies to reduce burnout. Helps clients manage work-life balance, decision-making stress, and performance anxiety through personalized therapeutic approaches.
People
David Shepard
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed psychologist with 25+ years of clinical experience, former professor at California State University, and author of professional publications on couple therapy. Specializes in gender-sensitive approaches and emotionally-focused therapy. Holds APA recognition for clinical excellence and maintains active private practice in West Los Angeles.
Questions
Do you offer telehealth therapy sessions?
Yes, I provide secure telehealth therapy sessions available to clients throughout California using HIPAA-compliant platforms.
What are your specialty areas?
I specialize in couple therapy using Emotionally-Focused Therapy, individual therapy for men's mental health, and stress management for high-pressure professionals.
How do therapy sessions work?
Sessions focus on creating safe emotional exploration while providing practical tools. We'll work together to address specific challenges while building long-term coping strategies tailored to your needs.
Do you accept insurance?
I provide documentation for out-of-network insurance reimbursement. Please check with your provider about mental health coverage details.
What if I need urgent support?
For emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. My practice provides voicemail support for non-urgent scheduling inquiries.
How long do therapy sessions last?
Standard sessions are 50 minutes, with option for extended sessions when needed. We'll discuss the most appropriate session structure during our initial consultation.
Reviews (1)
AlwaysSunny I.
May 29, 2014
Report
Dr. Shepard specializes in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). EFT has been demonstrated in numerous studies to be effective in helping couples strengthen their relationship. This was exactly the type of couples therapy that I knew my husband and I needed 3 1/2 months ago. We had hit a dark period in our relationship and I knew we needed help. Dr. Shepard made us feel comfortable throughout our journey through couples counseling together. Dr. Shepard offers a safe place where both of us really felt heard. He truly has helped our marriage of 2 years become stronger than it ever has been
