Rediscover pleasure
Pleasure is not one of the spoils of capitalism. It is what our bodies, our human systems, are structured for; it is the aliveness and awakening, the gratitude and humility, the joy and celebration of being miraculous – adrienne marie brown
About
I’m Chelsea (she/her), a Marriage and Family Therapist in Echo Park specializing in sexual wellness, pleasure, and queer affirming psychotherapy. Rooted in liberation and justice, my work focuses on healing the impacts of systemic and internalized oppression while supporting you in deepening relationships, reconnecting with your body, and imagining new possibilities for your life. My relational, experiential, somatic and pleasure-centered approach invites every part of you to have a seat at the table, fostering greater intimacy with yourself and others. I especially enjoy working with intimate relationships of all kinds, bisexual and pansexual folks, and anyone seeking more pleasure and joy. I offer sessions for individuals, couples/throuples/quads, lovers and friends either virtually or in Elysian Park, where my dog Scoop sometimes joins us.
SPECIALIZATIONS
Couples therapy
I support all configurations of partnerships in uncovering what the relationship needs, balancing interdependence with autonomy, resolving desire discrepancies, and helping you engage in conflict in a way that brings you closer together, not further apart. When we can remember and tap into love in the therapy space, we have access to great healing.
sex therapy
I’ve been trained and supervised in providing sex therapy to approach sex without shame or judgement, providing a brave and free space to explore all aspects of sexuality and identity. I weave in my experience in mindfulness and tantra practices, and am proud to provide kink & BDSM affirming therapy.
Alternative relationship styles
For those practicing some form of non-monogamy, therapy can be a place to help you articulate and create the kind of relationship you most want to be in, free from old scripts, full of your true desire. You don’t have to be a relationship anarchist to see me, but I use these principles to help you create a bespoke relationship.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I am trained in Level Two IFS with the IFS Institute and have also received training in Expressive Parts-work with Adrienne Glasser, LCSW . I find this lens to be an intuitive and spiritual path towards greater understanding and self-love. Through IFS interventions, we have the opportunity to bring curiosity and compassion to all of your parts.
Locations
Echo Park and Virtual Therapy
I offer eco-therapy sessions in Elysian Park, where we bring the therapeutic process outdoors and allow the natural environment to become an active participant in our work together. My approach to eco-therapy is relational and experiential. I invite you to notice how your body responds to being in nature, to engage your senses, and to explore what the natural world reflects back about your inner landscape. Sessions may include mindful walking, grounding exercises, or simply sitting in stillness while attending to the environment around us. Being in nature can ease stress, deepen self-awareness, and cultivate a sense of connection and belonging that supports healing and integration.
I also offer sessions via Zoom if that is your preference.
RATES
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Rates:
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$200 per 50-minute session for individuals
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$250 per 50-minute session for couples/partners
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Rate Philosophy:
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Reflects the cost of education, professional licensing, and ongoing training
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Set to make therapy accessible while maintaining sustainability
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Sliding Scale:
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Limited number of reduced-rate spots available for clients with financial concerns
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Insurance:
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Not currently in-network with any insurance providers
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Can provide a superbill for clients to submit for possible reimbursement
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ASSOCIATES
Shadi Houshangi (she/her)
AMFT #138196
Hello! I’m a holistic and somatic psychotherapist residing in Los Angeles, CA. I offer a relational and trauma-informed approach that integrates the wisdom of the mind, body, and spirit to support individuals and couples in their healing. I trust that your body holds profound wisdom and incorporate modalities such as EMDR and IFS (parts work) to help you resolve painful parts of your story and cultivate a more compassionate lens of your inner world. Compassion is central to my work and I am devoted to creating a therapeutic space that supports others in coming into deeper union and acceptance with themselves. I am also an Iranian American and a bilingual (Farsi) therapist who enjoys working with folks from different cultural backgrounds and my work deeply honors the unique intersections of identity we all inhabit. My therapeutic orientation is rooted in liberation, queer allied, and conscious of the impact that systems of oppression have on mental health. I love working with tender-hearted, playful, and curious individuals who have an appreciation for the greater mystery that resides within us and the larger world.
I received my Master of Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and spent my time there working in the Culture and Trauma Research Lab where I conducted research that examined the intersection between culture, race, and mental health. My experience there deeply inspired my trauma-informed approach to therapy and I actively attend learning intensives and workshops to expand my capacities as a therapist. In my free time I enjoy exploring nature, cultivating mindfulness, communing with plants, studying esoteric wisdom, and sharing meals with friends!
If you feel working together may be an aligned fit, please email shadihoushangitherapy@gmail.com for a free consultation to learn more.
Mary Kate "MK" Martin (she/her)
AMFT #161276
My approach is integrative and collaborative, I strongly believe that the most successful therapy is adaptive and that what works best is as individual as you are. I draw from narrative therapy, relational and attachment-based work, and parts-informed perspectives to help us better understand your story and your patterns without pathologizing who you are. I am trauma-informed, neurodiverse affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming. Before therapy, I worked in child development for many years which has shaped how I look at therapy now, after all, we are all just former children. So much of what we struggle with makes sense when we understand the story of how it began. Sometimes parts of us get stuck in earlier experiences or ideas of ourselves. They can show up in ways that feel confusing or out of proportion, or get pushed aside altogether. I believe that therapy is a space to begin noticing and tending to those parts with more compassion.
Email mkmartintherapy@gmail.com or text (323)413-7771 to set up a consultation. Visit my website to learn more.
CONTACT ME
Free consultation
Reach out to schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your goals for therapy and to hear more about my approach to determine if we are a good fit.
PHONE
323-487-3361