Therapists in California

Michael Hoopingarner
Michael Hoopingarner
I work with men who want results. My approach to therapy is built around first principles, accurate diagnosis, and change; understanding what’s broken, why, and how to fix it. Psychological problems aren’t mysterious entities; they can be mapped, conceptualized, and worked through with the right framework and disciplined effort.
Psychotherapy with me is direct, pragmatic, and oriented toward strength, responsibility, and forward motion. Too much modern therapy pathologizes masculinity or asks men to soften, submit, or endlessly process without progress. I don’t do that. I respect male identity, male drives, and male ways of solving problems, and I use them as leverage for change. I am in California. I prefer to meet in-person. Cash-only.

Dr. Troy Piwowarski
Dr. Troy Piwowarski
I provide individual and group therapy for men in their 20s-50s who have done therapy before and are looking to go deeper. As an individual therapist, I like to be actively involved and give feedback about what I’m noticing in the here-and-now. This gives us a portal into understanding how you get tripped up and where you can lean into a fuller, deeper way of living. My men’s groups are long-term process groups that primarily focus on relationships between members. Group is all about practicing direct, authentic contact and exploring your blocks to getting closer with others.

Dr. Derek Novacek
Dr. Derek Novacek
Dr. Derek Novacek (PSY #35671) offers expertise in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and interpersonal stressors. He practices a collaborative and strengths-based approach that integrates sociocultural factors as appropriate. Dr. Novacek sees patients at Therapy Lab but also works at the Los Angeles VA Clinic. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Dr. Novacek is currently accepting new clients in person (Los Angeles, CA) and virtually (California and Michigan). To get started or learn more, send an email or book a free welcome call on the Therapy Lab website.

Kevin Stolper
Kevin Stolper
The decision to seek therapy is not easy. It means we have to confront the truth that we are struggling in some facet of our life and need help finding resolution. I specialize in brain-body based therapies, such as EMDR and Brainspotting, which tap into the source of our emotional wounds located in the body. These healing modalities are highly effective in helping identify and resolve the roots of one’s distress, presenting as anxiety, depression, stress or trauma(s) that are negatively impacting your life and overall wellbeing.

Therapy on Fig
Therapy on Fig
We believe therapy should be highly tailored to you. We provide individual psychotherapy to adults who believe lasting change is built on a compassionate and trusting relationship with themselves first. Our approach is trauma-informed, culturally inclusive, and identity-affirming. Using traditional talk therapy and IFS (Internal Family Systems), we specialize in trauma recovery and building systems that work with ADHD, addiction, and working through conflicts, anger, and depression.
Our clients describe themselves as creatives, artists, and professionals who are socially conscious, open-minded, neurodiverse, and peacemakers/givers.

Raissa Alvero
Raissa Alvero
I provide integrative psychodynamic therapy to adult men of immigrant parents navigating life transitions, family of origin stress and relationship struggles. Many people I work with struggle with trust, loneliness and emotional intimacy or with anxiety, depression or unresolved trauma.
I believe therapy takes courage and humility to confront what is uncomfortable, allowing us to break free from patterns that keep us stuck and move toward greater freedom. As your therapist, I see myself as a guide, offering the right balance of support, perspective and challenge to foster meaningful change and growth.

Dexter Mai
Dexter Mai
In my integrated approach to trauma therapy, I seamlessly weave Brainspotting and evidence-based talk therapy to provide comprehensive support for clients. Drawing on the power of Brainspotting, I guide clients in identifying and processing trauma through the activation of specific “brainspots,” while leveraging the insights and techniques of talk therapy to foster deeper introspection and cognitive reframing. I target both the neurological and psychological aspects of trauma, and facilitate a holistic healing journey. My practice prioritizes creating a collaborative and empathetic space, where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered to navigate their healing process with self-awareness and newfound strength.

Sam Wasfi
Sam Wasfi
My focus has been to help my clients get unstuck from unhelpful behavioral patterns that are typically born out of generational trauma, and teach them ways to attend to their emotional and spiritual needs so that they are less reactive to triggers around them and more intentional with the decisions they make. This applies to couples’ work, addiction counseling, and spiritual healing.

Nicholas Morvan
Nicholas Morvan
Hate psychobabble? Good, me too. I want to make therapy more accessible to those that think “therapy isn’t for them”
I help men build resiliency and develop purpose through honest conversations. Sometimes this means teaching tools and techniques, sometimes this means exploring painful memories, but almost always we are having authentic conversations that respect your experiences and provide ways for you to grow.

Dr. Mackenzie Lambine
Dr. Mackenzie Lambine
With clients, I focus on how and where you find meaning in your life in addition to exploring your past and its influence on your present. I have experience in treating anxiety, depression, adjustment to life changes, loss & trauma, and sexual abuse.
From my office in the heart of the Mid-City/Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, I offer a kind and straight-forward therapeutic approach to a broad array of clients: from those merely seeking to enrich their day-to-day lives, to those seeking more robust intervention in mitigating harmful thought patterns and behaviors.

Eric Kruse
Eric Kruse
I believe the most meaningful way to connect is through listening. Each person has a unique and interesting story that should be heard. Perhaps the greatest support we can offer is our undivided attention. I consider it a privilege to provide a safe space where people discover new aspects of themselves.
Couples Counseling, Addiction, and Men’s Issues are my specialty.

Courtland McPherson
Courtland McPherson
You feel overwhelmed, stressed, unfulfilled. Maybe your relationship feels like it’s crashing and burning. You have lost motivation, direction, and a sense of purpose. You are not sure when it started, but you do not feel the same. You got here because you know something is off. But you do not want to stay this way. You want more out of friendships, coupledom, parenthood, work and life. You want to feel refreshed, energized, healthy and ready to tackle the days. You want to be back on track – like you again, but an expanded version. You want to be full of life. You want the fire back. You came to the right place. I help guys just like you get the fire back and get back to life!

Jacob Sims
Jacob Sims
Depression. Anxiety. Low self-esteem. Relational issues. These are common issues that people face when it comes to mental health challenges, which are enough to make life difficult. Chances are your relationships and most importantly your relationship with yourself have been greatly impacted by these factors. There’s this sense that something has to change, but you might not know where to begin. Together we embark on this journey of uncovering just how you got here and discovering where you want to go.

Dr. Nicole Bryant
Dr. Nicole Bryant
My approach when working with participants is to keep things low-key. The worst thing is an overly clinical therapist! I do my best to get on your level and to converse in the way you’d like to converse. I listen and then inform you of blind spots as needed. It helps clients remain comfortable yet always have that “aha” moment.
Specialties: Depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, relationship conflict
Therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Brief Therapy Interventions, Rapid Trauma Resolution

Chris Rabanera
Chris Rabanera
Chris Rabanera is an LMFT who provides online therapy in California, Michigan, Nebraska, and Nevada. He specializes in working with high performers such as physicians, dentists, healthcare providers, lawyers, business owners, executives, managers and the tech industry. He offers services for burnout, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, individuals with relationship problems, grief counseling and mental health treatment for men.
Contact
Call and request an initial appointment by phone or email. Once you get to your appointment, explain your symptoms and what’s going on in your life.
Learn more about talk therapy.
Don’t know what to say?
- “Hi, I found your website through HeadsUpGuys. I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress recently and am looking for a therapist to consult with.”
- “I’m wondering if you are taking new clients? I’m looking for someone to work with to help me get through a rough patch.”
Back to our Therapist Directory.
It may take reaching out to 3+ therapists to find one who is currently accepting new clients. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away. Keep reaching out to therapists until you get a response. Your better health is worth the effort.
For more information on talk therapy, including more ways to find a therapist, virtual/online therapy options, how to make the most of therapy, and how to know if it is working, see:
Therapist Listing Requirements
Therapists listed in the HeadsUpGuys Directory are required to hold relevant professional training (Master’s level or equivalent), experience working with men’s mental health, and active membership or licensure with a recognized therapy body in their region.
HeadsUpGuys verifies these qualifications at the time of listing.
Inclusion does not imply endorsement or guarantee of services. Therapists operate independently and are not employees or representatives of HeadsUpGuys. For more details, please see our Terms and Conditions.
