Family therapy and counseling in Culver City, CA

Hey hey hey, I’m Ariel Wilson Gbenedio, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, transformational speaker, and author dedicated to helping people heal, grow, and step into their power.

I have nearly a decade of experience in the mental health field, working across a wide range of settings including crisis residential treatment, outpatient care, and program development. I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. My work is rooted in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care—blended with a deeply human, compassionate approach.

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California and have served in both clinical and leadership roles, including Clinical Director. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and safe enough to do the real work of healing.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, empowering, and honest. I believe healing isn’t about “fixing” you—because you are not broken. It’s about understanding your story, shifting limiting beliefs, and helping you build a life that feels aligned, fulfilling, and authentic. I specialize in working with high-achieving women, individuals struggling with self-worth, trauma recovery, and those feeling stuck in cycles that no longer serve them.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or ready for something more in your life, you don’t have to navigate it alone. My goal is to help you develop the insight, tools, and confidence to create lasting change—and to remind you of the strength that already exists within you.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I believe healing happens through connection, compassion, and understanding. I partner with clients to explore patterns, build coping skills, and develop greater self-awareness in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. My goal is to help clients feel more grounded, confident, and aligned with their values.

As a member of the mental health profession, I am deeply humbled to be invited to share in the experiences of those who have struggled, it is a calling which I do not take lightly and strive to develop hope in all those I come in contact with. I have worked with families, children, adults and couples in community mental health, hospital and group private practice settings. I have experience working with those who struggle with complex trauma, mood disorders, transitions and interpersonal relationships.

Are you feeling stuck, fearful, hopeless, or uncomfortable with yourself or your relationships? Pain is unavoidable, but I can help you carry that burden as we work towards solutions together.

I am Dr. Bonnie Blackman, PhD, MA in Psychology, and a licensed therapist. For over 30 years, I work with both children and adults. My aim is to create a non-judgmental, supportive space as we navigate your concerns and fears to find safe, secure, and comfortable solutions.

I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and over four years of experience working with kids, teens, adults, and couples. I’m certified in TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and am passionate about helping clients navigate life’s challenges with warmth, curiosity, and support. I create a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow.

I believe every relationship holds the capacity to heal, grow, and transform. If you’ve found your way here, it probably means you’re ready for change. You don’t have to face it alone. My passion is helping couples break free from painful cycles, rebuild trust, and rediscover the closeness that first brought them together. Clients often tell me that what makes my work different is the balance of honesty and compassion I bring into the room. I won’t shy away from the hard truths, but I deliver them with care and a deep commitment to helping you thrive.

I believe therapy works best when it’s grounded in understanding who you are as a whole person. Everyone comes to therapy with their own story, background, and way of communicating, and I take time to really get to know each client as an individual. My goal is to create a warm, non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable being yourself, sharing openly, and feeling genuinely heard and supported as we work through what brought you to therapy.

I hold a Doctorate in Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I’ve been working as a therapist since 2015 and independently licensed since 2018. I primarily work with adults (18+) and support individuals navigating concerns such as anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, brief grief experiences, life transitions, and women’s issues.

You've done meaningful therapeutic work and you're ready to go deeper. You're successful in the external markers of your life, but you know there's more—greater depth, connection, and purpose waiting for you. You've addressed foundational trauma, and now you want to explore subtler patterns: how you hold back in intimacy, the meanings you're searching for, the fuller expression of yourself you sense is possible. You may be curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy as a tool for profound insight. You're not dealing with crisis, but are looking for a guide who can support you in moving from survival to fully living in your wholeness.