Therapy in Los Angeles · Westside & the Valley
A steady place to make sense of your story, and begin to heal.
I'm Erika Metten, a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. I work with people navigating trauma and complex trauma, addiction, shame, and the relationship and family patterns that keep repeating.
- Encino · Studio City
- Santa Monica · Westwood · Beverly Hills
- Telehealth across California
About me
Hi, I'm Erika.
Many of the people I work with have spent years trying to think their way out of patterns they never chose: a drink or behavior that started as relief, a shame that shows up uninvited, or relationships that seem to end the same way every time. Patterns like these usually make sense once we understand where they came from.
My work is about understanding them together, with curiosity instead of judgment, so they can begin to loosen their grip. I offer a steady, honest relationship where the hardest parts of your story can be spoken, and where you don't have to keep holding them alone.
I'm neurodivergent-affirming, which means I won't ask you to fit a neurotypical mold. We'll work with the way your mind actually works.
Outside the therapy room, you'll usually find me out on a long run, hiking one of LA's trails, or cooking.
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #165741. Employed by The Feeling Space and supervised by Danielle Golan, LMFT #134068.
How I can help
What we can work on together
Trauma & complex trauma (C-PTSD)
The lasting effects of a single overwhelming event, or of trauma that happened over years in childhood or relationships: feeling on guard, numb, disconnected, or never quite safe.
Addiction & addictive behaviors
Alcohol, substances, or compulsive behaviors that once helped you cope and now feel out of your control. We'll look at what the behavior does for you, not just how to stop it.
Shame
The deep, quiet sense of being "too much" or "not enough" that so often grows out of trauma. Therapy is a place to meet it with compassion instead of hiding from it.
Relationships & family
Conflict, distance, or repeating patterns with partners, parents, and family, and the attachment wounds that often sit underneath them.
Neurodivergent-affirming care
Therapy for ADHD, autistic, and otherwise neurodivergent people that respects how your brain works instead of trying to change it.
Identity
Exploring who you are and who you want to be: your sense of self, your values, and the parts of you that have felt hard to claim.
My approach
Looking beneath the surface
The ways we learned to connect, cope, and protect ourselves early in life shape how we love, struggle, and see ourselves today. Real change often comes from understanding those patterns, and from experiencing something different in a relationship that feels safe.
Psychodynamic
We explore how your history, including the parts that are hard to put into words, lives on in your present feelings, choices, and relationships.
Relational & attachment-focused
Grounded in attachment theory, our relationship becomes a place to notice old patterns as they happen and to practice new ways of connecting.
TF-CBT certified
I'm certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based trauma treatment, and can bring in structured tools when they'll help.
Where we can meet
In person across LA, or online anywhere in California
📍 San Fernando Valley
In-person sessions in Encino and Studio City, convenient to Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Tarzana, and North Hollywood.
📍 Westside
In-person sessions in Santa Monica, Westwood, and Beverly Hills, convenient to Brentwood, West LA, Culver City, and Century City.
💻 Telehealth
Prefer to meet from home? Secure video sessions are available to anyone located in California, from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. I offer a free 15-minute phone or video consultation so you can ask questions and see whether working together feels like a good fit. No pressure, no commitment.
What do you help with?
I work with trauma and complex trauma (C-PTSD), addiction and addictive behaviors, shame, relationship and family struggles, and questions of identity. I'm neurodivergent-affirming and certified in TF-CBT.
What is psychodynamic, attachment-focused therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences, especially early relationships, shape the way you think, feel, cope, and connect today. A relational, attachment-focused approach also pays close attention to our relationship in the room, which becomes a place to notice old patterns and try new ones. It tends to go deeper than symptom management alone, aiming for change that lasts.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are available to clients located anywhere in California, using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
Where do you see clients in person?
I see clients in person in Encino and Studio City in the Valley, and in Santa Monica, Westwood, and Beverly Hills on the Westside. Telehealth is available anywhere in California.
What does AMFT mean?
I'm a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #165741) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Associates have completed a master's degree in clinical psychology or counseling and are gaining supervised clinical hours toward licensure. I'm employed by The Feeling Space and supervised by Danielle Golan, LMFT #134068.
Do you take insurance?
I'm an out-of-network provider, so I don't bill insurance directly. Many PPO plans reimburse part of the cost of out-of-network therapy, and I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) for you to submit to your insurer. It's worth calling your plan to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits. I'm happy to talk through it during your free consultation.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under the No Surprises Act, if you don't use insurance you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your care. You can ask for one at any time, and you'll receive one before your first session. For more information, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.
Let's talk
Reaching out is often the hardest part. Send me a short note with your name, the best way to reach you, and whether you'd prefer in-person or telehealth, and I'll get back to you within one business day to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
Email me to book a consultationOr write to hello@erikametten.com. For your privacy, please keep your first message brief. We can talk about the details when we connect.