Lyndsay McLaren (she/her/hers)

As a teen therapist in Santa Monica, I support adolescents who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to cope with what they’re experiencing. Teen therapy provides a supportive, non-judgmental space where adolescents can:Talk openly about their thoughts and emotions, better understand themselves and their experiences, learn healthy coping strategies, improve communication and relationships, and build confidence and emotional resilience.

Family therapy is a collaborative process where all members work together to improve communication, better understand one another, and create more balanced family dynamics. Many families seek therapy for challenges such as: Ongoing conflict or tension, communication breakdowns, parenting challenges, mental health concerns affecting one or more family members, and stressful transitions or changes within the family.

I specialize in treating anxiety through a psychodynamic, attachment-based lens, helping clients explore how early relationships and unconscious patterns influence present distress. I integrate evidence-based practices—including CBT, ERP, DBT, EMDR, and IFS—to reduce symptoms, strengthen coping, and foster insight. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on creating lasting emotional resilience and deeper self-understanding.

Attachment theory guides my work by focusing on how early relationships shape emotional patterns, self-worth, and connection. Together, we explore these relational templates to understand current struggles and build more secure ways of relating. Through a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship, clients can process past experiences, strengthen trust, and develop healthier, more resilient connections.

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on how unconscious patterns, early experiences, and relationships shape present thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I help clients gain insight into these underlying dynamics, explore recurring themes, and understand emotional responses. This deeper awareness supports meaningful change, improved relationships, and a stronger, more integrated sense of self.

Family systems theory views individuals within the context of their relationships and patterns developed over time. I help clients understand how roles, communication styles, and intergenerational dynamics influence current challenges. By increasing awareness and shifting these patterns, we can create healthier boundaries, improve relationships, and support meaningful, lasting change.