Gerardo Horischnik, LMFT
Gerardo received his Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 1985. Since his licensure in 1988, Gerardo has had a private practice in the Westside of Los Angeles and Santa Monica for the last 20 years. In addition to formal graduate work, Gerardo completed 7-years of Gestalt Therapy training in Los Angeles following a 6-month residential experience at Esalen Institute in the 1980's where he began his exposure to humanistic, experiential, spiritual and energetic modes of understanding and treating people.
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Adding studies in Contemporary and Relational Psychoanalysis enabled him to arrive at a personal style that he enjoys and finds effective in his work.
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Following an initial working with children, families, and adults, Gerardo concentrated on individual and conjoint therapy. He likes to engage with the individuals and couples that he sees and to commit to the creative process of connecting with the most vital and growthful aspects of his clients. Argentinean by birth and with over 30 years in the United States, Gerardo is often sought out by Spanish speaking clients who have immigrated to Los Angeles from all of Latin America or Spain wishing to enter treatment in their native language, or by multi-cultural couples hoping for specialized understanding of their unique experience.
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WHY THERAPY? HOW DOES IT WORK?
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Gerardo believes that people want to express who they are and pursue satisfying work and relationships, but have emotional and cognitive patterns that keep them stuck. These patterns often consolidate into a persona that leaves us feeling not quite ourselves, with needs unrealized, feelings ignored, and potential unused.
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He sees symptoms, such as of anxiety and depression, addictions, or low self-esteem, often as the only messengers trying to let us know that we are unsatisfied and in need to address our discomfort. He aims at forming a supportive and safe environment where those patterns can be brought into awareness liberating needs to connect, create, and expand.
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Our journey may begin in a crisis or transition yet help you unlock paths to a more meaningful and satisfying life. We may start by focusing on a particular issue that may be weighing on you or on longstanding concerns that you are ready to tackle. Whatever the impetus that brings you to therapy the mere intention to start your personal work signals an opening and readiness for improvement, to finding relief of debilitating symptoms, saving or improving a relationship, getting to know yourself better and approach a more optimal way of living, or even perhaps all of the above.
AREAS of SPECIALTY:
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Abuse (physical, sexual, etc.), Adults, Aging, Anxiety Disorders, Career Transition, Childhood Abuse, Co-dependency issues, Couples, Depression, Gay/Lesbian Issues, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, Marital/Couples Therapy, Men’s Issues, Minority/Cultural Issues, Mood Disorders, Panic Disorders, Personality Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, Premarital Counseling, Rape Issues, Relationship Difficulties, Separation and Divorce, Spanish, Transitional Stress, Trauma, Women’s issues, Workplace Stress/EAP
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To make an appointment call 310-449-1125 or e-mail at gerardoh@santamoncapsychotherapy.com. More information at gerardohorischnik.com