Individual Therapy in Silver Lake, Los Angeles | David Strah

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety that won’t quit, depression that’s hard to shake, or a life change that’s thrown everything off balance — individual therapy gives you a private space to actually work through it. At David Strah, we offer one-on-one counseling for adults in Silver Lake and across East Los Angeles. No judgment, no one-size-fits-all approach. Just real, focused support built around you.

If you’ve been thinking about therapy but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place.

What Is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy is a confidential, one-on-one relationship between you and a licensed therapist. You meet regularly, typically weekly, and work together on whatever’s getting in the way — whether that’s a specific issue like PTSD or grief, or just a general feeling that something isn’t right.

It’s not like venting to a friend. A trained therapist helps you see patterns you might not notice yourself, understand where they come from, and start doing things differently. That takes time, but people genuinely see change. Clearer thinking. Less reactivity. Better relationships. A sense of calm that actually lasts.

At David Strah, individual therapy is the heart of what we do. Our licensed therapists bring years of experience working with adults navigating all kinds of challenges — from clinical depression and anxiety disorders to burnout, relationship stress, and major life transitions.

Our Approach to Psychotherapy

Not every approach works for every person. That’s why our therapists are trained in multiple evidence-based modalities. After getting to know you, your therapist will use the methods that fit your goals and how you work best.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most well-researched therapy approaches around. It focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You learn to notice unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more grounded, realistic ones. It’s practical, structured, and tends to show results relatively quickly.

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed specifically for trauma. It helps your brain reprocess painful memories so they stop carrying the same emotional weight. It’s particularly helpful for PTSD, but therapists also use it for anxiety and grief.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness approaches teach you to pay attention to what’s happening in the present moment, without getting swept away by it. This is especially useful for anxiety, stress, and emotional dysregulation. You build real skills you can use between sessions.

Psychodynamic Therapy

This approach looks at the deeper roots of your patterns — often going back to early relationships and experiences. It’s a good fit if you want to understand yourself at a deeper level, not just manage symptoms on the surface.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you stop fighting your inner experience and start building a life aligned with what actually matters to you. It’s helpful for depression, anxiety, and the kind of chronic self-criticism that keeps people stuck.

Somatic Therapy

Our bodies hold stress and trauma in ways that talk therapy alone doesn’t always reach. Somatic approaches work with what you feel physically, helping you release tension and process emotions stored in the nervous system.

Person-Centered Therapy

At its core, all of our work is person-centered. That means your therapist follows your lead, respects your pace, and believes that you already hold much of what you need to heal. The therapeutic relationship itself becomes part of what’s healing.

Serving Silver Lake and the Surrounding Eastside

Our practice is rooted in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. We see clients from across the Eastside, including Los Feliz, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Koreatown, and East Los Angeles.

Silver Lake is a neighborhood that prides itself on creativity, openness, and community. But even here, near the Silver Lake Reservoir and the energy of Sunset Junction, life can get heavy. Work stress, relationship strain, identity questions, and the general pace of LA can wear on anyone. We know the community we’re part of, and we’re here to support it.

We offer both in-person sessions at our Silver Lake office and telehealth therapy for clients anywhere in California. So whether you prefer to come in or meet virtually from home, we can work with you.

What to Expect When You Start

Starting therapy can feel like a big step. Here’s what the process actually looks like at David Strah:

Step 1: Free consultation. You reach out and we schedule a short call. No commitment, no pressure. You can ask questions, get a feel for us, and we’ll make sure we’re the right fit for what you need.

Step 2: Your first session. This is mostly a conversation. Your therapist will ask about what’s bringing you in, your background, and your goals. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to show up.

Step 3: Ongoing sessions. Most clients meet weekly, at least at first. Sessions are 50 minutes. Over time, you and your therapist will adjust frequency based on how you’re doing and what you want to work on.

Everything you share is confidential. We follow all HIPAA privacy standards, and your information is never shared without your written permission (with very limited legal exceptions your therapist will explain upfront).

Practical Information: Scheduling, Fees, and Insurance

We know cost and logistics matter. Here’s the straightforward version:

Insurance: We accept insurance and work with many major plans. Call us or fill out our contact form and we’ll verify your benefits before your first session — no surprises.

Sliding scale: We offer reduced fees on a limited basis for clients who need financial flexibility. Ask us about it. We’d rather find a way to make it work than have cost be the reason you don’t get support.

Evening and weekend appointments: We have therapists available outside of standard business hours. You shouldn’t have to rearrange your whole schedule to take care of your mental health.

Telehealth: Our online therapy sessions use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. They’re just as effective as in-person sessions for most people, and a lot more convenient.

Free consultation: Your first call with us costs nothing. It’s a chance to ask questions and decide if you want to move forward.

Why David Strah?

Plenty of therapists practice in Silver Lake. Here’s what sets our practice apart:

Our therapists are fully licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (California BBS). We hold credentials including LMFT, LCSW, and doctoral-level licensure. Many have specialized certifications in EMDR, trauma-informed care, and other advanced modalities.

We’re verified on Psychology Today and maintain active professional affiliations with organizations like CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) and APA.

We take a genuinely individualized approach. You won’t get a generic six-session protocol. Your therapist works with you to figure out what you actually need — and adjusts as things evolve.

We’ve worked with adults in Los Angeles for years. We understand the specific pressures of living and working in this city, and we bring that context to the work.

And honestly? Our clients tell us they feel heard here. That’s the thing that matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions About Individual Therapy in Silver Lake

How do I know if I really need therapy, or if I should just try to handle things myself?

This is one of the most common questions people have. Here’s a simple way to think about it: if something is getting in the way of your daily life, your relationships, your sleep, or your ability to feel okay, that’s worth addressing. You don’t need to hit rock bottom first. Most people who benefit from therapy started because they just wanted to feel better, not because they were in crisis. There’s no rule that says you have to wait until things are really bad.

How long does individual therapy usually take?

There’s no single answer, and anyone who gives you a guaranteed timeline upfront probably isn’t being straight with you. It depends on what you’re working on, how long it’s been going on, and how often you come in. Some people see big shifts in a few months. Others work with a therapist for a year or more, especially when dealing with trauma or deeply rooted patterns. What we can say is that you should start noticing some change within the first several sessions. If you’re not, that’s worth talking to your therapist about.

Do you accept insurance for therapy in Silver Lake?

Yes. We work with many insurance plans and will verify your coverage before your first appointment. The cost of individual therapy at our practice depends on your plan, but most clients with insurance pay a copay rather than the full session rate. If you’re uninsured or your plan doesn’t cover mental health services, we offer sliding scale fees. Don’t assume cost is a dealbreaker before you’ve talked to us.

Is everything I say in therapy really kept private?

Yes, with very limited exceptions required by law. These include situations where there’s a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else, or mandatory reporting situations involving a child or vulnerable adult. Outside of those specific circumstances, what you say in session stays between you and your therapist. We follow all HIPAA privacy requirements and will walk you through the specifics in your first session.

What’s the difference between a psychologist, an LMFT, and an LCSW? Does it matter?

All three are licensed mental health professionals who can provide individual therapy. Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) have doctoral-level training and in some states can prescribe medication, though not in California. LMFTs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists) and LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) complete graduate-level training and supervised clinical hours before licensure. For most people seeking individual therapy, the therapist’s specialization, experience, and fit with you matters far more than the specific credential. All of our therapists are licensed by the California BBS.

Can I do therapy online instead of coming in?

Absolutely. Our telehealth therapy sessions are conducted over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Research consistently shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for most conditions, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. It’s a good option if you live outside the Silver Lake area, have a busy schedule, or just find it easier to connect from home. We have therapists available for online sessions throughout California.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

This comes up a lot. The honest answer is that a lot of people have had unhelpful therapy experiences, and the most common reason is a poor fit, not that therapy itself doesn’t work. Different therapists work differently. A CBT-focused therapist and a somatic-informed therapist will offer you a very different experience, and one may resonate much more than the other. If past therapy felt too generic, too passive, or like you weren’t making real progress, it’s worth trying again with someone whose approach actually matches what you need. We’re happy to talk through what’s felt missing before.

Ready to Start? Here’s What to Do Next

Reaching out is the hardest part for most people. After that, things tend to get easier.

Contact David Strah today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, check your insurance, and match you with a therapist who fits what you’re looking for.

We offer in-person individual therapy in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, and telehealth sessions across California. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

You deserve support. Let’s find the right fit.