WELCOME!
Laura Malandrino, APCC
(English/Italian/Spanish)
How might Therapy feel?
Most of us don't start therapy with a clear roadmap. We just know something isn't working, and we hope this might help. Maybe you are looking for answers or just want relief. Either way, you sit down with a stranger and begin.
In my experience, it is in therapeutic relationships where much of the transformative work happens. Through this connection, a profound shift can occur.
At first, therapy is a mix of curiosity and hesitation; you wonder if you are saying the right things, if your therapist really understands you, if this is even worth it. Some sessions will feel like progress, and others will leave you more confused than when you walked in.
You catch yourself testing the waters, choosing your words carefully, holding back. You question if this is how therapy is supposed to feel. Should growth be faster, more straightforward, easier?
Doubt creeps in. You wonder, "is this actually working?". You think about stopping. Then, one day, something shifts.
You say something out loud for the first time. The weight of it lands differently. You begin connecting the dots in ways that surprise you. You feel something starting to change. You gain clarity about your true self, the things you can control within you, and your capacity for healing, resilience, and fulfillment.
The only predictable part of therapy is that you’ll step into uncertainty. You’ll say the hard things. It will be uncomfortable at times, and it might take time—but it will also be worth it. Because there’s no deeper achievement than discovering who you truly are. The real you.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
— Viktor Frankl
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN HERMOSA BEACH
Individual Therapy
EMDR Therapy
Adolescent Therapy
I take a collaborative approach to delve into your unique experiences, challenges, and goals. Whether you're facing difficulties in your relationships, struggling with anxiety or depression, or seeking personal growth, I will work with you to discover valuable insights, coping strategies, and tools to navigate life's complexities.
I provide EMDR to help individuals overcome past challenges and achieve healing. This neuroscience-based therapeutic approach utilizes bilateral stimulation to process and integrate traumatic memories, enabling a profound personal transformation.
Whether you're navigating peer pressure, exploring your identity, or facing other challenges, I offer a safe, confidential space to support you through this crucial developmental stage. Let's work together to build confidence, resilience, and clarity as you grow and thrive.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Therapy can be instrumental in addressing a wide range of concerns and improving various aspects of your life. Together, we will explore and identify areas that need attention, whether it’s setting healthy boundaries, resolving conflicts in relationships, or managing other personal challenges. Through our work, we will focus on tailoring strategies to help you navigate these issues effectively and build a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Reducing Anxiety / Improving Mood
Supporting Couples Navigating Conflict
Addressing PTSD/ Trauma
Improve Interpersonal Relationships
Fostering Self-Esteem/Empowerment
Navigating Post-partum Challenges
Supporting Student Mental Health
Supporting Grief/Loss
Supporting Women Through Life Transitions
Chronic Illness/ Cancer survivors
TREATMENT APPROACHES
Dedicated to facilitating a deeper integration of mind, body, and spirit, I emphasize achieving psychological balance through self-awareness and mindfulness. My approach incorporates psychodynamic insights to explore the underlying unconscious processes that influence behavior and emotions. Each session is approached with deep empathy and openness, allowing your unique needs to guide our explorations together. I prioritize building honest and open communication and creating a safe, nurturing environment where thoughts, emotions, and experiences can be freely explored.
Pychodynamic
Explore unconscious processes, early life experiences, and internal conflicts
Somatic-Based
Integrates physical awareness and bodily processes to heal emotional and mental challenges
CBT
Explore the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to improve psychological well-being
CHALLENGES I CAN HELP WITH
Perfectionism
When less than flawless is unacceptable, you find yourself in a relentless pursuit of unattainable standards, often feeling trapped by your own expectations. This cycle can foster anxiety and self-doubt, making it essential to reframe those beliefs and cultivate a more compassionate view of yourself.
OCD
OCD might feel like being trapped in a relentless cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, creating overwhelming distress and interfering with daily activities. This constant battle can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration. We will work to unravel these patterns, fostering greater self-awareness will using effective coping strategies.
Codependency
This might feel as though your identity hinges on others, leaving you anxious and unfulfilled. Loneliness feels intolerable and you might chase validation through codependency, neglecting your own needs. We will work to highlighting the importance of establishing healthy boundaries and fostering self-worth in therapy.
ADHD
Living with ADHD can often involve a constant struggle with inattention and impulsivity, making it difficult to stay focused or complete tasks, which can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. I will provide tools to manage symptoms, enhance organizational skills, and develop strategies for building confidence.
Life Transitions
Changes can be overwhelming and disorienting, creating anxiety about the future and uncertainty about your identity. Therapy can provide support and guidance, helping you navigate these changes and embrace new possibilities with resilience.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety can create a sense of intense fear and apprehension in social situations, making even everyday interactions feel overwhelming. This often leads to avoidance behaviors and feelings of isolation, as individuals worry about being judged or embarrassing themselves. We will address these fears, providing coping strategies and gradually building confidence with the goal of fostering more fulfilling social connections.
Attachment
Attachment issues can be experienced like an intense fear of abandonment or a constant need for reassurance, which can lead to anxiety and conflict in relationships. Addressing these patterns can open the door to healthier connections.
Relationships
Helping individuals understand their role in relationships, break cycles, and form healthier connections. Supporting couples in deepening connection, improving communication, and working through recurring patterns or ruptures.
CONNECT WITH LAURA
Lisa Chen Therapy & Associates
2615 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 326. Hermosa Beach. CA, 90254
P. (747) 334-2972