Caroline Salz, MA, LMFT
Counseling & Psychotherapy
“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes".
– Carl Jung
BACKGROUND
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#105615), providing psychotherapy to adults, couples, teens, and families in West Los Angeles. I hold a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in depth psychology, from Pacifica Graduate Institute. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Fordham University.
I received my professional training at the Southern California Counseling Center in Los Angeles, working as a therapist for two years. Shortly thereafter, I transitioned to working in both residential and intensive outpatient treatment centers in the Los Angeles area.
In addition to my private practice, I work as a therapist at Community West, which is an Intensive Out Patient Treatment Center. My focus at Community West is to counsel teens and young adults suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and depression. I also run an anxiety management group where I offer coping skills for clients to better manage their anxiety. Throughout my time at Community West, I have cultivated a specialty in treating OCD and anxiety-related disorders, which includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Therapy (ERP).
Caroline Salz, M.A., LMFT
SERVICES
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
I take an active and relational approach to therapy, tailoring my work to the specific needs of each of my clients. For example, some people may benefit more from brief, goal-oriented therapy, while others may be in need of a more in-depth, psychodynamic approach. I strongly believe that the relationship between an individual and their therapist is the most important aspect of the therapeutic process. Therefore, it is crucial that you feel safe, heard, and understood. I do my best to offer a non-judgmental, warm, and empathic space for you to explore painful and potentially shameful issues.
I participate actively and honestly in the sessions, offering insight and guidance to help you uncover deep-rooted issues that are often difficult to face.
I will help you overcome detrimental patterns and destructive habits to help you become the person you would ultimately like to be. We will work collaboratively to help you thrive in your career or educational endeavors; strengthen your relationships; and learn how to tolerate and work through life's difficulties. I am here to support you on this challenging, yet rewarding journey!
COUPLES THERAPY
How do you know if you and your partner are a candidate for couples therapy?
There is a common misconception that couples therapy is only for relationships with extreme issues, or for those that are on the verge of separation. In actuality, it is a proactive tool that helps strengthen foundations in relationships at all stages. As people grow and change, their partnerships will likely evolve as well. Couples therapy can effectively maintain and enhance relational connections, which require lots of care and attention.
My approach to working with couples is to take an active role. I provide guidance for partners to uncover destructive patterns holding their relationship back. I also assist in cultivating healthy communication styles that can build and maintain loving and respectful relationships. By unpacking and processing deeper issues within relationships, partners can improve their sense of connection, intimacy, and trust. This also allows each partner to feel more understood, heard and acknowledged within the relationship. I often provide “homework” for couples to work on throughout the week in between sessions. I find that these exercises help couples to stay focused and more connected to improving their relationship.
I have experience helping couples with a range of relationship challenges including but not limited to:
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Conflict & communication problems
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Emotional distance & lack of connection
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Monotony, or lack of excitement in the relationship
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Premarital Issues
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Sexual problems & lack of intimacy
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Financial stress
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Extended family issues
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Life Transitions
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Separation & Divorce
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Infidelity
FAMILY THERAPY
How do you know if family therapy is right for you?
If you are feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or there is tension in your home, family therapy can help. In the same manner that I work with couples and individuals, I take an active approach to family therapy. My goal is to help each family member have a voice, and feel acknowledged and heard.
As your family therapist, I will guide you to understand unhealthy patterns in the family, recognize roles each family member holds, improve communication, and create healthy boundaries. I particularly enjoy working with teens and their families, and guiding them through the obstacles and challenges adolescence presents for families.
Some of the issues that may be addressed in family therapy include, but are not limited to:
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Mental health challenges
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Divorce or separation
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Substance abuse
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Life transitions or traumatic events
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Parental conflict (with teens)
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Anger and/ or rage
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Blended families, or the addition of new family members
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School issues, bullying, or disordered eating
TEEN THERAPY
I am passionate about helping teens and young adults manage the challenges of adolescence. This transitional period of personal development can be confusing and anxiety-provoking. Balancing academic, social, and family pressures can be difficult and overwhelming. Teens often face self-esteem issues, often feel misunderstood and unseen, and may have difficulty accepting and understanding their place in the world. All of these external pressures can cause a range of feelings including anger, anxiety, and loneliness. These emotions often manifest in several ways, including but not limited to isolation, acting out, rage, academic issues, self-harm, and depression.
In treating teens my goal is to offer a safe space where teens can feel comfortable opening up and expressing their feelings, to explore these difficult and painful issues. Along with working with teens individually, I often work with teens and their parents together to help build connection and understandings, and reduce conflict.
THERAPY SESSIONS
Sessions are either held at my office in West Los Angeles or online via Zoom. They are 50 minutes in length. For family sessions, I may allot 75 minutes, if necessary.
Prior to scheduling our first session, I offer a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation. This initial conversation provides you with the opportunity to ask me questions, learn more about therapy, and ultimately decide whether this will be the right therapeutic fit.
CONTACT
Please contact me to set up a complimentary 10 minute phone consultation or to schedule your first appointment. I look forward to hearing from you!
Caroline Salz, M.A., LMFT# 105615