"...Really grateful you helped us out. Toughest time we’ve been through. Appreciate your wise advice." Clients - Santa Monica, CA

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"...Hello Laressa, it was very nice meeting with you yesterday. We really felt comfortable with you and look forward to the work we will do."  Clients - West Hills, CA

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"...You have been so helpful! Thank you so much! We will follow up with the suggestions you gave us. Again your help is so appreciated!  You have reminded us that there are good people out there, and have helped us feel supported and confident about reaching out for help."   Clients - Glendale, CA

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"...I was interested in couples therapy for my fiancé and myself due to experiencing a difficult time due to an infidelity issue which I recently found out about.  I got laryngitis and completely lost my voice from crying so much this close to our wedding next month. Thank you for helping us with this and showing us some hope and conflict solving tools."  Clients - Culver City, CA

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"...My husband and I went through infertility for 3.5 years, having 4 IUIs, 2 surgeries, 3 IVFs and 2 miscarriages.  Now we're waiting to be picked through an adoption agency. I know it will happen eventually it is all just a matter of time.  Anywhooo, it' s been really hard on me as you know since my sisters pregnant again. I just feel so sad for me and my hubby.We really needed a therapist to help with the emotional load which was tearing us up. Your calm guidance and understanding is a god send. We appreciate what you're doing for our marriage." Clients - Marina Del Rey, CA

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"...As you know my boyfriend and I have been going through a lot lately and we need this therapy because we can't seem to understand or let go of our hurt. Last nights session was a lift. Thanks you for listening and helping us. We appreciate your ideas." Clients - Studio City, CA

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"...We were referred by our son’s therapist to Laressa Desmond. He recommended her as a couples therapist for my wife and I. We never compromise on anything plus I can't do right whatever I do. It just saddens me for everything to be a battle. My wife says our marriage is too much pain & she thinks I hate everything which is unbelievable to me. We have marriage counseling twice a month because of my travel schedule. Laressa is fair to us both and works with our schedule. We have been getting better and I think its because she helps us communicate in her office. It is a slow go but we both feel a light and some hope." Clients - Agoura Hills, CA

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"...I'm relationship savvy, but I still went through amazingly confusing times in my relationship. Laressa grounded me when I felt like a plastic bag in the wind. What I liked was her experience and perspective, and how she applied it to me. I work in film so I'm also a stickler for authenticity." Client -  Hollywood, CA

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"...Thanks for your help.  We feel comfortable with your knowledge and professional attitude. Our sessions with you are amazing. My girlfriend feels the change now and ditto for me." Clients - Brentwood, CA

"...We really liked how you were non-judgmental, didn't take sides and were non-bias to each of our personal difficulties and weaknesses.  We know we need a communication counselor to be that for us and thank you for doing that because it makes us feel safe to open up. We also appreciated your keen ear and listening to each of us. And when we started to argue, you de-escalated it without telling us we were bad and with that we managed to express what we wanted.  We found it very helpful when you were describing how men and women are wired and it gave us something to refer to and it's something we will always remember. Also by you taking some time before you spoke showed us that you were careful and focused and we could tell you gave us a more tailored approach for US, instead of a generic freewheeling recipe. This shined for us." Clients - West Los Angeles, CA

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"...My husband was skeptical about counseling but our friends saw Dona Desmond for some Couples Therapy so he said he would go with me for marriage counseling. It's helping us not fight because we fight all the time. He says she's fair. I like it because she's calm and we don't fight around her. It surprised us how much we got done in 3 sessions." Clients - Encino, CA

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"...My wife and I needed to schedule an appointment to work on some very important issues in our marriage. But in short helping my wife and I connect in a deeper way, and helping me specifically connect emotionally with myself. We had been experiencing difficulty in our marriage of 8 years, and wanted to see if marriage counseling could help us with our issues. We found Dr Laressa online and she was quick to respond. Our sessions were sometimes funny and often edgy, because my wife says I hide behind humor. But Laressa helped us and I recommend her for marriage counseling." Clients -  Beverly Hills, CA

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"...We are newly married and my husband & I have been struggling. He is incredibly controlling and all around difficult, sick person. He demands an unhealthy amount of attention and I needed tools to deal with this awful situation. At first he wouldn't come to counseling with me but when I didn't keep blaming him for everything he agreed to try it. After a few sessions of marriage counseling with Laressa we had a small evening together and really connected. He admitted to being mean like his dad and confused about how to be a good husband. This was huge! I thank Dr L for this since she is so fair in the way she listens to both of us during counseling. She is helping us so much it’s been a couple of weeks of calm at home. Fingers crossed!!!" Clients - Mar Vista, CA

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"... Great therapist, we endorse her for marriage counseling." Clients -  Venice, CA

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" ...We've seen Laressa Desmond off & on for a few years. My boyfriend and I were long distance till I moved to LA to be with him. I left everything then it blew up. That's when we found her. She helped us so much with what she calls our power struggle and communication pitfalls. A couple of years later we went back to her because my boyfriend wanted to start a business with me and I was afraid it would blow things up. She worked with us on balancing power and how to reach consensus. The business is working! Then we went back for pre-marriage therapy & that was great. Now we are trying to pregnant & we're seeing her again!" Clients - Venice, CA

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"... I'm glad that I have the opportunity to write about my experience with Laressa. We started seeing her when I was dealing with the after effects of an illness, but we continued to see her because her feedback was, and is, very valuable to us a couple. We tend to ask her be "the voice or reason" in our life when things go south. Her style is friendly and comfortable." Clients - Westlake, CA

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"...It was imperative that my husband and I meet with someone. I am a recovering addict, with 15 months clean, I don't really know how to be with my husband clean. So as a recovering addict, relationship issues were very difficult to deal with. I thank Laressa so much for helping us reconnect and communicate. Its progress not perfection still but our marriage is way better." Clients- Redondo Beach, CA

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"...In my opinion, Laressa's strength is that she comments, not only listens.  In my sessions we have a dialog, a real conversation. I'm an attorney and usually I'm in charge of everything but she gives me thoughtful, thought provoking comments. I tend to be action oriented. She works with my style and helps me create an action plan.  She offers suggestions and helps me weigh my ideas and options. I always feel that I'm an active part of the solution.  If you're looking for a knowledgeable well balanced approach that leaves you firmly in charge I would definitely suggest seeing Laressa Desmond." Client - Santa Monica, CA

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"... Dear Dona, Thanks once again for your clear, concise and organized feedback about our situation. This has indeed served as a platform for our understanding. You showed us a linear process for progress. Your intelligence & diligence with that wonderful touch of humanity and personalization are so rare and priceless today. It definitely sets you in a league of your own. We're amazed that you could do this using only FaceTime. Thanks very much!" Clients - Calabasas, CA

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"...My wife and I have been arguing on and off for the past 2 years.  Always about the same issues.  We can't see eye to eye.  We have twins now and I just want to stop fighting. We found Laressa Desmond through Psychology Today and she was able to see us within the week.It just feels good for the both of us to talk about our problems with someone other than each other.  She showed us how to stop competing and listen I think so we will feel good and learn to be better partners for each other. " Clients - Brentwood, CA

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"... I was referred to Dr. Desmond after several tragic events resulted in a depression and sadness I hadn't experienced before. I was apprehensive about therapy and with sharing intimate details of my life with a stranger.  However, when I met 'Dr. D', she immediately made me feel comfortable and safe. Her kindness sets you at ease, her intellect is like that of a healing mentor, and her humor reminds you she's always your ally.  Laressa helped me through a very dark period by giving me the skills necessary to overcome and cope.  She has shown me points of view I was blind to, exposed me to perspectives I wasn't aware of and helped me rediscover something inside me.  I will never be able to articulate how truly grateful I am for everything she's done as it's played a pivotal role in my mental, physical and psychological development.  Thank you!" Client - Agoura Hills, CA

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"...I was referred to Laressa during the worst two years of my life personally and professionally. I have an Ivy League education and a great job but I was drowning in depression. My boss was/is a maniac!!! I felt bad about myself all the time. Nights and week ends got really bad. Some of my friends had gone to Laressa. I liked her in the first session. I found her to be very empathetic and accessible. She's intelligent, experienced, determined and dogged in her pursuit of useful solutions.  She helped me be more optimistic and believe in myself again. I started taking my power back. She taught me how to keep a positive attitude. I appreciate that more than I can say." Client - Marina Del Rey, CA

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"... I have found you to be the rare exception to the many therapists who could not stimulate my progress!!! LOL!!! I still haven't concluded whether that has been the result of their limited skill-sets or my ego pride! But you truly helped me..fantastic work." Client - Malibu, CA

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"...We are both deeply grateful for your guidance. This good phase we’re in now would not have been possible without us working to fix the things we couldn’t  face alone. Your counseling got us over that stalemate. Thank you for everything that you have done for us. " Clients - Hollywood

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"...Well I had a relationship problem with my girl who wanted to leave me & I didn’t know why she wouldn't tell me the truth. I wanted to work things out so bad because I love this girl to death & feel like the biggest idiot that I could lose her after 3 years when I was going to ask to marry me but we always got into a really big fight. She said she would stay if I got counseling but Laressa wanted to see us at the same time. My girl didn't leave me and we’re getting married soon!" Client - Chatsworth, CA

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"...My girl friend and I had been in our relationship for about 4 years. I had things which has caused her to have trust issues, anger and resentment towards me. We hit at a breaking point.We both wanted to settle down and start a family but our issues were not allowing us. We looked for a therapist because we wanted to figure out our sex life and our ways of communicating and supporting each other.  And we needed to find a way where all of our issues and concerns are dealt with by both of us and not just one person weighing all of the pressure on her or I.  We wanted things to get better and be so loving like we know we can be when we're good. A friend of ours referred us to Laressa and she nailed some things. We felt really hopeful we’r making progress. I like that she didn't make me feel bad about myself for some of the things I did and want to stop. If you have trouble understanding each other she can probably help you like she did for us." Clients - North Hollywood, CA

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"...I reunited with my ex then moved to LA to live together. It was great for a month but now he's the nightmare my friends predicted. I don't know who he is now and I'm totally sick of his BS attitude. I found Laressa Desmond online then we saw her for several months. She was always fair with both of us. My boyfriend listened to her and I shared my real feelings with him in those sessions." Clients - Canoga Park, CA

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"...Wanted to share some thoughts of gratitude & appreciation. Thank you for creating the environment to uncover the underlying causes & conditions in our relationship, & for providing a structure to work through many of our challenges. Personally, I gained broader perspective, compassion, empathy, & was able to heal. At this point we need to own what we have learned, put into practice what we have discovered & be the best that we can be. We made great progress, thanks to your professionalism and approach." Clients - Brentwood, CA

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