Hi, I’m Dr. Margie Mirell, a licensed psychotherapist based in Santa Monica. I specialize in emotional abuse recovery, somatic trauma therapy, Imago Relationship Therapy, the Gottman Method, sex therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). My practice is grounded in psychodynamic therapy and Jungian dream analysis, helping clients gain deeper insight into their inner life as a pathway to self-discovery and lasting change.
Through this integrative approach, my goal is to help individuals and couples ameliorate emotional pain, strengthen their relationships, navigate career challenges, and cultivate a more authentic and resilient sense of self.
My Background
I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and fine arts from California State University at Northridge graduating magna cum laude. Before becoming a therapist, I spent ten years as Vice President of Marketing at a mid-sized computer company. This experience in a high-pressure corporate environment gave me insight into the emotional demands faced by driven, high-functioning professionals. This personal understanding continues to inform my work with clients today.
I later returned to my passion for psychology, completing a master’s degree in clinical psychology at Antioch University. Over the course of my career, I’ve pursued myriad certifications and advanced training in a wide range of modalities to best serve the diverse needs of my clients.
Most recently, I expanded my expertise with a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology from Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. As a sex therapist, I guide individuals and couples toward open, honest communication about their needs and desires. This creates a strong foundation for more authentic, fulfilling intimate connections.
My life as an artist has also been an important source of personal growth providing a rich creative outlet for exploring complex emotions. I bring this same sensitivity and appreciation for the human experience to my work as a therapist.
Certifications
- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
- Brainspotting
- Imago Relationship Therapy, Stage 3
- Safe Conversations
- Somatic Experience, Stage 3
- Disordered Eating, LA Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies
- Prepare/Enrich
- Grief Recovery Method
- Executive Coaching, The College of Executive Coaching
- Insights Discovery (Jungian Executive Coach for Team Building)
- Biofeedback
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Medical Hypnosis
Experience
- Co-Director and Clinical Supervisor | F.I.T. (Focus on Integrative Therapies), Santa Monica, A non-profit counseling agency providing reduced-fee services to individuals and families. I supervised MFT interns treating a wide range of presenting concerns.
- Executive Coach | Here TV (LGBTQ+) Individual and group coaching in a corporate setting, with a focus on communication skills, team building and company retreats. I authored articles for The Advocate on dating and realistic goal setting.
- Clinician | Rader Institute for Eating Disorders, North Hollywood Hospital, Provided individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy, along with case management, psychosocial evaluations, and community education on addictive behavior.