Therapy for Emotional Neglect, Anxiety, and Relationship Struggles
Virtual Psychodynamic Therapy in California
Based in Sherman Oaks
When Nothing Was “Wrong” but Something was Missing
Many of the people I work with tell me some version of this:
“My childhood wasn’t abusive. My parents did their best. So why do I feel anxious, disconnected, or unsure how to be close to people?”
Emotional neglect is not about what happened—it’s about what didn’t.
It’s about growing up without enough space for your feelings, your inner life, your confusion, your anger, your softness. It’s about learning early on to be self-reliant, to minimize your needs, to figure things out alone.
As an adult, this can show up quietly but persistently:
anxiety that seems to come from nowhere
difficulty trusting relationships or knowing what you want
feeling “behind” in life, love, or identity
chronic self-doubt, overthinking, or emotional exhaustion
a sense of drifting, longing, or existential unease
You may look capable on the outside while feeling untethered on the inside.
How Emotional Neglect Shapes Adult Life
When emotional needs were overlooked or misunderstood early on, many people learn to adapt by becoming:
hyper-independent
emotionally guarded
highly attuned to others, but disconnected from themselves
Over time, this can make relationships feel confusing or painful. You may crave closeness while simultaneously pulling away. Friendships may feel hard to maintain. Romantic relationships can stir intense anxiety, ambivalence, or fear of choosing “wrong.”
For many thoughtful or creative people, this also connects to deeper questions:
Who am I really?
Am I wasting my life?
How do I care about the world without feeling overwhelmed by it?
These aren’t flaws—they’re signals. And they deserve care, not correction.
How Psychodynamic Therapy can Help
Psychodynamic therapy offers a space to slow down and listen to what has been shaping you beneath the surface.
Rather than focusing only on symptom management or quick solutions, we pay attention to:
recurring emotional and relational patterns
early experiences of connection, misattunement, and absence
the ways you learned to cope, survive, and make sense of the world
what emerges between us in the therapeutic relationship
Over time, this work can help you:
feel more grounded and emotionally anchored
understand your anxiety rather than fighting it
develop more satisfying, honest relationships
trust your inner experience and desires
tolerate uncertainty and existential questions with more compassion
Therapy becomes not just a place to “fix” problems, but a place to come home to yourself.
Who I Work With
I specialize in working with adults of all genders who:
grew up feeling emotionally unseen or unsupported
struggle with anxiety, relationships, or self-direction
are thoughtful, introspective, and often creatively inclined
feel sensitive to the state of the world and its instability
want depth, nuance, and meaning—not surface-level fixes
Many of my clients are artists, writers, or creative professionals, though creativity can take many forms. What they often share is a deep inner life that has not always had room to breathe.
What It’s Like to Work Together
My approach is warm, relational, and collaborative.
I aim to create a space where:
your feelings make sense in context
nothing needs to be rushed or forced
curiosity replaces self-judgment
new ways of relating can slowly take root
Therapy unfolds at your pace. We follow what feels alive, confusing, painful, or quietly persistent. Over time, this can allow for lasting change—not by becoming someone else, but by becoming more fully yourself.
Taking the Next Step
If you find yourself reflected in any of this, therapy may be a place to begin understanding—not what’s “wrong” with you, but what you’ve been carrying alone.
I invite you to reach out to schedule a consultation or ask questions. We can talk about what you’re looking for and whether working together feels like a good fit.