Couples therapists in Northridge, CA

I am an LMFT with more than 15 years of experience in trauma, relationships, and family systems.

I believe the best work happens when you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself—no pressure, no judgment, and no need to have everything figured out before you start. We’ll work together to explore what’s bringing you in, what matters most to you, and what you’d like to change or better understand.

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Each person is different, so our work will be tailored to your needs, your goals, and your pace. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, going through a transition, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, I’m here to help you move forward in a way that feels manageable and authentic.

What I Bring to Our Work

• A welcoming, nonjudgmental space
• Thoughtful listening and honest, compassionate feedback
• A balance of insight and practical tools you can use outside of sessions
• Support that’s personalized to you, not a preset formula

If you’re looking for someone who is easy to talk to, genuinely supportive, and invested in your growth, I’d be glad to work with you and see if we’re a good fit.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Berkeley, California. I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, relationship patterns, and the lingering effects of difficult or painful experiences. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, high-functioning, and insightful, yet still find themselves stuck in patterns that feel hard to shift alone.

My background includes training in EMDR, somatic and attachment-focused therapy, parts work, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute. I also bring a mindfulness and body-based perspective to therapy through years of yoga and meditation practice.

My style is warm, collaborative, and depth-oriented while still practical and grounded. I especially enjoy working with complex trauma, highly self-aware clients, neurodivergent clients, and people who want therapy that goes beyond coping skills alone.

Healthy relationships don't happen by accident—they're built through understanding, communication, and the willingness to grow. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, feeling disconnected from your partner, navigating relationship conflict, or facing intimacy concerns, you don't have to work through it alone.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's degree from Pepperdine University, and I specialize in helping adults and couples create healthier relationships with themselves and the people they love. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental while also being practical and goal-oriented. I believe lasting change happens when clients feel genuinely understood while also being challenged to grow.

Together we'll identify the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, strengthen communication, develop practical coping skills, and build deeper emotional and relational connection. Whether you're working through anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or questions surrounding intimacy, my goal is to help you leave therapy feeling more confident, connected, and equipped to create meaningful change.

My journey into mental health began with a deep interest in the intersection of human behavior and emotional resilience.

I enjoy working with adolescents and adults going through life transitions and experiencing trauma. My current practice includes individual treatment helping adults with anxiety and depression, self-esteem/confidence, grief, trauma and life transitions! Finding a therapist with whom you connect with is important.

Over the past 14 years, I have worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, community clinics and public school settings. These experiences have shaped my belief that therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" process, but rather a collaborative partnership built on trust and evidence-based strategies!

I hold a Master of Social Work from California State Long Beach as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University..

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Since graduating in 2021, I have worked with adolescents, adults, and couples in community mental health and outpatient settings.

I became a therapist because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’m passionate about helping others better understand themselves, work through challenges, and become the best versions of themselves. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and create a life that feels fulfilling and authentic to them.

I have experience supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and general life stress. I believe therapy should be a space where clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard.

My approach is collaborative and individualized, drawing from modalities including CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, and EMDR. I work alongside clients to better understand patterns, build coping skills, improve relationships, and create meaningful change aligned with their goals and values.

Dr. Margaret Chao is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience working in the field of psychology. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology. She specializes in working with high achievement oriented professionals navigating important life transitions, career decisions, romantic relationships, friendships, and adjustment to change.

I provide clients with tools. discernment, and hope for the future. My sessions are supportive, helping to guide, and encourage you with a caring. compassionate, and non-judgmental approach. When you feel that your train has gotten off track, I will help you get back on track. Christian counseling is also available upon request.

Through therapy, clients develop new skills, discover new insights, and strengthen their resilience for whatever life brings.