Dr. Michael Pariser and Associates
Welcome to our practice, where you can find relief for your emotional suffering. We counsel individual adults who are struggling with painful and frustrating emotional issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and life transitions. We are passionately committed to relieving your suffering and facilitating your long-term personal development through deep exploration and sustained empathy.
Our approach focuses directly on the underlying emotional dynamics that are the driving force behind your conscious thoughts, feelings, and overt behavior; and because we believe that no two people’s emotional lives are structured in precisely the same way, your treatment will always be tailored to your individual needs. These needs – for living a good life and relating well to others – depend upon the smooth functioning of your emotional system.
Right now, you may be thinking, “But I have emotional issues, and I need to get rid of my problematic feelings.” It is not the emotions themselves that are the issue, however. Emotions serve many critical functions for all of us, including evaluation, motivation, and communication. Without them, we would be literally incapable of navigating our way around our world. The problem is the way that healthy emotions are being unconsciously blocked, so they are not available for effective use.
When you come in and talk about what is bothering you and what doesn’t work in your life, we work to bring to light the unconscious emotional organizing principles and all the ways they function in your interpersonal world. In particular, we look for rigid emotional rules that create obstacles to adaptive, healthy functioning, and we work to loosen their iron grip. As a result, you will have greater freedom to make healthier and more adaptive choices for your life. You can then become that emotionally strong and socially resilient person you have always wanted to be, one who will thrive and succeed in the world
What You Can Expect from My Practice
- A safe and comfortable therapeutic environment; an atmosphere of respect and compassion in which you get the help you need to face formerly unbearable and frightening feelings.
- Insight, empathy, support, and understanding.
- A collaborative process. You help design a treatment that works for you.
- Emphasis and expertise in emotional life.
- Honesty about what we see. We believe you will benefit most by hearing the truth.
- Attention to early childhood traumas and family dynamics which replay themselves in our present lives, at the same time without sacrificing the present for the sake of the past.
- Continual and collaborative monitoring of the process, to determine its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments.
- A free use of creativity and imagination, rather than a formulaic approach that comes from a textbook.
- Care and concern throughout the process. Therapy can be difficult and painful, but we will do our best to see that it is not any more so than is absolutely necessary.
Emotional Issues
Depression
Relationships
Depression
Depression is a complex emotional state that centers on hopelessness, helplessness, and loveless aloneness. It is black hole, a living Hell, and it is formidable, but it is not unconquerable. Depression must be undone from the inside. Only by examining and dismantling its emotional underpinnings can a better view of the world ever see the light of day. Psychotherapy can help you get there.
Anxiety
Relationships
Depression
High levels of anxiety manifest in a wide variety of ways, including obsessions and compulsions, panic attacks, phobias, eating disorders, and avoidance behaviors. Some of these manifestations are outright fears, while others are defenses against more hidden fears. In either case, the expressions of anxiety need to be brought into the light, so their true nature can be deciphered and remedied.
Relationships
Relationships
Living with Emotions
Love is an important aspect of a good life, but for many people relationships can devolve into troubling, repetitive patterns; for instance, the pursuit of unavailable lovers, or brief, intense affairs that end badly. Whatever your problematic pattern, it needs to be illuminated, understood, and remedied, so a happier one can emerge.
Living with Emotions
Living with Emotions
Living with Emotions
Life has many wonderful things that trigger joy and contentment, feelings we all live for. Life also presents us with difficult challenges that trigger painful feelings of grief, hurt, loneliness, sadness, anger and fear. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel only the good ones, never the bad? Sadly, that’s not our lot as human beings. However, there is a way to feel the positive more and to be on better terms with the negative. This is the path of radical acceptance. By experiencing and integrating all your emotions, you can live a life that is full, rich, and rewarding. I can show you how to do that.
Here is a short video that explains the basics of emotions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJOjpprbfeE
Men's Issues
Living with Emotions
Assertiveness
Traditionally, men have shied away from therapy, believing that emotional struggles are best ignored or suffered in silence, or that they should be “strong and manly” and deal with their issues on their own. Nothing could be further from the truth. All emotional problems developed relationally, in the crucible of early childhood; and, as has been demonstrated across many cultures for thousands of years, they are best resolved relationally, whether that relationship is counseling, psychotherapy, or psychoanalysis. In that light, men’s issues are a particular specialty of mine.
Assertiveness
Living with Emotions
Assertiveness
Once upon a time, people took assertiveness training classes to help them stand up and speak out, borne of the conviction that by doing so, they would feel better about themselves and get more of what they wanted in life. Many achieved these goals, at least in part, because assertiveness, the honest expression of one’s feelings and desires, is an incredibly effective means of interpersonal interaction.
Sadly, however, there are few assertiveness training classes still in existence. However, I can teach you this incredibly useful concept. Assertiveness is something that you can learn, and, with practice, effectively apply. The results can be immediate, powerful, and long-lasting.
Services
Individual Therapy
Individual Therapy
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy aims at expanding your emotional horizons to give you increased freedom and a greater sense of aliveness.
Sessions are 45-50 minutes, and prices are negotiated with each individual therapist. PPO insurance policies may pay a portion of the fee.
Couples Therapy
Individual Therapy
Individual Therapy
The focus of conjoint therapy is the dominant emotional dynamics that are creating impasses and pain. By illuminating those feelings, blocks can be removed and both people can achieve the clarity they need to take more positive steps.
Sessions are from 45-90 minutes. Price varies depending on the length of sessions. PPO insurance may pay a portion of the fee.
Group Therapy
Individual Therapy
Therapy for Men
Our present therapy groups are for men and are facilitated by Dr. David Perlman. They are primarily centered on the principles outlined by Dr. Robert Glover in No More Mr. Nice Guy.
There are several groups each week. Groups are limited to 7 participants. Sessions are 90 minutes long and the price is fixed for all members. Currently it is $50-65, depending on the group,
Therapy for Men
Low-Cost Therapy
Therapy for Men
Men’s issues are a particular specialty of mine and my associates; we have been working with men and masculinity for the past seven years. You can read more about what we offer here:
Low-Cost Therapy
Low-Cost Therapy
Low-Cost Therapy
My associates offer some sliding scale fees based on financial need. You can read more about them in our section on Low-cost therapy.
Workshops
Low-Cost Therapy
Low-Cost Therapy
At present, the workshops I offer are monthly and for men. Click on the button below to find out more about them.
Also, I will soon be offering workshops and online classes in Assertiveness, Nice Guy Syndrome, and Overcoming Depression. Watch for them.
Associates
Dr. David Perlman, Psy.D.
Dr. David Perlman, Psy.D.
Dr. David Perlman, Psy.D.
David’s specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, relationship issues, and life transitions. He offers individual therapy and men’s process groups in both Westwood and West. L.A. He received his Master’s and Clinical Doctorate degrees from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA.
(310) 429-5619
Dr. Elisa Rabinow, Psy.D.
Dr. David Perlman, Psy.D.
Dr. David Perlman, Psy.D.
Elisa works with a wide variety of issues including mood and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, perinatal and postpartum issues, self-esteem and body issues, and bereavement. Dr. Rabinow received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University-Post Campus in New York.
(424) 248-8029
Mark Stein, M.A., AMFT
Dr. David Perlman, Psy.D.
Mark Stein, M.A., AMFT
Mark works with individuals and couples on the treatment of anxiety, depression, grief, anger, and problematic relationship issues. He is trained in EFT for couples. Mark earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 2017.
AMFT 101912
(323) 445-0931