Brett Rhodes

Hi, I'm Brett C Rhodes LCSW. As a psychotherapist, I'm here to help you overcome your mental, emotional, and social distress so you can live your most joyful, fulfilling, and meaningful life. I hold a Master of Social Welfare degree from UCLA and am licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of California. I'm based in Los Angeles and provide psychotherapy to clients throughout California via video and phone sessions. I've been in clinical practice for more than 20 years in a variety of settings (psychiatric hospitals, community mental health clinics, outpatient medical mental health clinics, and private practice).

My approach

My approach to therapy is a holistic one. I work with you to understand your world by exploring with you your: - mind (thoughts and emotions) - body (somatic experiences and behaviors) - social environment (relationships - familial, personal, romantic, intimate, and professional). We will explore and consider: - what's not working for you and why (problems, challenges, sources of internal and external distress) - how you want to change for the better (intentions, goals, aspirations for a better life) - how to go about overcoming your challenges and distress to bring your better vision for your life into reality (skills, tools, resources, and practices). I've studied, trained, and practiced diligently throughout my multi-decade career as a clinician to weave together the best approaches, old and new, in an integrated way so I'm ready to work with you on just about anything you might want to explore and improve. At the core of my work is a flexible, client-centered approach. I don't try to fit you into a model, style, or type of therapy. I focus on you, your needs, and your aspirations. Based on our shared understanding of where you are, what your challenges are, and what you want to accomplish in therapy, I draw upon the tools, skills, techniques, and models I've learned to help you achieve your unique goals. Over the course of my career, I have studied, trained in, and practiced: - Traditional psychodynamic therapy - Modern psychodynamic therapy (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Accelerated Emotion-Focused Dynamic Therapy (AEDP)) - Jungian Analytic Psychotherapy with a focus on dream interpretation and active imagination - Existential Therapy - Transactional Analysis (TA) - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Somatic Therapy - Internal Family System (IFS) - Trauma-based and trauma-informed modalities such as EMDR and Brainspotting - Hypnotherapy - Mindfulness and meditation practices - Motivational Interviewing (MI) - Short-term solution-focused therapy I'm also a graduate of the Coaches Training Institute (CTI).

My focus

Over the course of my career, I've learned that I'm particularly skilled at helping folks through major life transitions. For folks in their 20s, I'm skilled at helping you develop the relationship skills and professional skills you'll need to succeed as an adult. I can help you navigate the social and professional landscapes of which you are now a part. I am good at helping you develop skills to combat the anxiety and depression that can come with the inevitable ups and downs you will face during this decade of your life. For folks in their 30s, 40, and 50s, I can help you manage the increasing complexities of long-term relationships, marriage, and family life. I can help guide you through the minefield of your professional life as your career grows and shifts. I can help you work through the grief of inevitable losses - the death of older loved ones, leaving or losing a job, or ending a relationship or marriage. For folks in their 60s, I can help you prepare for retirement and all the joys and challenges that come with that major life change.

My communication style

The art of psychotherapy is a delicate balancing act. First, I strive to hold a compassionate space where you can safely discuss your concerns and reveal yourself without fear of judgment or shame. Second, I strive to gently hold you accountable to your vision of the better life you want, encouraging you to call upon your best self to rise to the challenge of fulfilling that vision. Throughout, I work hard to ensure you always have the time you need to explore the difficulties you face and discover solutions that work for you. We move at your pace and I'm there with you each step of the way.

My journey to mental healthcare

Many years ago, in high school, in 11th grade, I took an elective class that set the course for my career as a psychotherapist. I'll never forget it. For the first part of the semester, we studied classical philosophy - Socrates, Plato, Aristotle - and I loved it. I even thought maybe I'd become a philosopher, though I had no idea how a philosopher might make a living in the modern world. In the second half of the semester, we studied psychology and I was hooked from day one. Everything about the inner workings of the human mind sparked my curiosity. I couldn't get enough. Toward the end of the semester, my teacher talked about careers in philosophy and psychology. When I learned that I could become a psychotherapist and apply psychology and philosophy to the craft of helping folks live better, happier, more meaningful lives... well that was it. I knew from that moment that I would be a psychotherapist one day. Many years later, after years of study and practice, I got my license and became the psychotherapist I'd dreamt of being since that class in 11th grade. I've been at it ever since and can't imagine anything in the world I'd rather do.

My goals for you

Folks generally come to therapy because something in their life hurts, something is off, something isn't working. That's a great starting point for therapy. From there, we work together to craft a vision of how you want things in your life to be different, to be better. That vision becomes the basis for your goals, the therapeutic project on which we collaborate to bring to reality in your life. Following this process, goal-setting becomes an organic and ongoing process in your therapeutic journey.

My first session with you

Beginnings in therapy can be challenging, anxiety-provoking, even downright scary. To vulnerably share your story and your distress with another person, even a therapist, takes courage, strength, and hope that the other person will receive it well. I view anyone taking that first step with the highest respect and I strive to hold a gentle, compassionate, space for them to safely open up about what's hurting and what help they need to make it better. In our first session, you'll have an opportunity to tell your story and to be heard and understood with patience and curiosity, and without judgment. From there we'll begin to explore ways therapy with me can help reduce your distress and improve your life.