# Trusted Psychotherapy in Santa Monica


## Posts

- [After School Restraint Collapse: Why Kids Fall Apart the Moment They Get Home](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/after-school-restraint-collapse/): After school restraint collapse is when a child holds it together all day at school, then melts down at home with tears, anger, or defiance. It happens because keeping emotions in check all day is exhausting, and home feels safe enough to let go. It is common, usually temporary, and often eases with food, rest, and quiet connection. Introduction: The Child Teachers Describe Is Not the One Who Walks Through Your Door Your child’s teacher says they were polite, focused, and helpful all day. Then they climb into the car, and within five minutes they are slamming doors, crying over the […]
- [Anticipatory Grief: Why You Can Mourn Someone Who Is Still Alive](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/anticipatory-grief-why-you-can-mourn-someone-who-is-still-alive/): Anticipatory grief is the mourning that begins before a death or major loss occurs, often while caring for someone with a serious illness. It can include sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, and exhaustion. It is a normal response, not a betrayal of the person you love, and it does not mean you have given up on them. The Feeling Almost Nobody Warns You About Your mother is still here. She is in the next room. And yet something in you has already started grieving, and you feel monstrous for it. That experience has a name. It is called anticipatory grief, and it […]
- [How to Know If You Need Therapy: 9 Real Signs to Watch For](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/how-to-know-if-you-need-therapy-9-real-signs-to-watch-for/): You likely need therapy if daily stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship conflict, or a major life change is affecting your sleep, work, relationships, or sense of self for more than two weeks. You don’t need a crisis to justify starting. Therapy is also useful for people who function well but want clearer thinking, better coping tools, and support working through a specific problem. You Don’t Need to Be “Broken” to Start Therapy If you’re reading this, some part of your life probably feels harder than it should. Maybe you’re more anxious than usual, going through a breakup, watching your teenager pull […]
- [How to Improve Communication in a Relationship](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/how-to-improve-communication-in-a-relationship/): You improve communication in a relationship by slowing down conversations, listening to understand rather than to respond, and replacing blame with specific requests. Most communication problems are not about a lack of love, they are about unspoken assumptions, timing, and old patterns that get triggered under stress. Couples therapy can help when these patterns repeat despite good intentions. Introduction Almost every couple argues about the same handful of topics: money, chores, time, family, and feeling unheard. What separates couples who grow closer from couples who grow apart is usually not the topic itself, it is how they talk about it. If […]
- [How to Choose an Anxiety Therapist in Santa Monica](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/anxiety-therapist-santa-monica-guide/): The right anxiety therapist in Santa Monica is a licensed clinician with specific training in evidence-based approaches like CBT and psychodynamic therapy, someone whose experience matches your situation (individual, teen, or couples anxiety), and someone you feel safe talking to from the first session. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT has treated anxiety in Santa Monica since 1992 and offers a free first session so you can find out if the fit is right before committing. Why Finding the Right Anxiety Therapist Matters Anxiety rarely resolves on its own. It tends to narrow your world, whether that means avoiding social situations, losing […]
- [Anxiety Therapy in Santa Monica: What Really Helps](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/how-anxiety-therapy-works-in-santa-monica/): Anxiety therapy in Santa Monica typically combines talk therapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic work, and attachment based methods to help you understand and reduce anxious thoughts and physical symptoms. A licensed psychotherapist works with you individually, often over eight to twenty sessions, to build coping skills, address root causes, and restore a sense of control over daily life. If anxiety has started interfering with your sleep, work, relationships, or ability to enjoy everyday moments, you are far from alone, and you do not have to figure it out by yourself. Anxiety is one of the most common […]
- [Emotional Resilience in Everyday Life: How to Build Inner Strength and Adapt to Change](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/emotional-resilience-in-everyday-life-how-to-build-inner-strength-and-adapt-to-change/): Life brings inevitable changes, challenges, and moments of uncertainty. Whether it is adjusting to a major transition, managing stress, navigating relationships, or facing unexpected difficulties, our ability to respond emotionally can shape how we move through these experiences. This ability is known as emotional resilience the capacity to understand our emotions, recover from challenges, and continue moving forward while maintaining a sense of balance and self-awareness. Emotional resilience does not mean avoiding difficult feelings or pretending everything is fine. Instead, it means developing the inner resources to acknowledge challenges, process emotions, and respond in healthier ways. What Is Emotional Resilience? Emotional […]
- [Why Does My Child Refuse to Go to School? Understanding School Refusal Anxiety](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/school-refusal-anxiety/): A child saying, “I do not want to go to school today,” is not necessarily unusual. Children get tired. They have difficult mornings. They worry about tests, arguments with friends, unfamiliar teachers, and days when they simply do not feel like leaving home. But what happens when not wanting to go becomes crying every morning? What if your child suddenly starts complaining of stomach pain before school, begs to stay home, has trouble sleeping on Sunday night, or becomes extremely distressed as soon as school is mentioned? For some families, these behaviors may be connected with school refusal anxiety. School refusal […]
- [How to Know If Therapy Is Working: 12 Signs of Meaningful Progress](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/how-to-know-if-therapy-is-working/): Therapy progress does not always arrive as a dramatic breakthrough. Sometimes it appears as a calmer response to a difficult conversation, a boundary you were previously afraid to set, or the ability to recognize an emotional pattern before it takes control. This can make it difficult to determine whether therapy is helping, especially during periods when change feels slow. You may understand yourself better while still experiencing anxiety, grief, relationship problems, or uncertainty. You may also encounter setbacks that make you question how far you have come. Learning how to know if therapy is working means looking beyond whether every symptom […]
- [Caregiver Therapy in Santa Monica: When Support Can Help](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/caregiver-therapy-in-santa-monica-when-support-can-help/): Caring for someone you love through cancer, chronic illness, a serious diagnosis, or a prolonged recovery can be an expression of deep commitment. It can also become one of the most emotionally demanding experiences in your life. You may suddenly find yourself managing appointments, medications, household responsibilities, difficult conversations, financial concerns, and your loved one’s changing needs. At the same time, you are trying to process your own fear, sadness, uncertainty, and exhaustion. Many caregivers become so focused on the person who is ill that they gradually stop paying attention to themselves. Caregiver therapy in Santa Monica can provide a private […]

## Pages

- [About me](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/about/): Helping People of All Ages Has Been a Lifelong Passion. I have spent most of my life helping people thrive — as a teacher, a community counselor, a UCLA Medical School professor, and for more than three decades, as a licensed psychotherapist in Santa Monica, CA. Home – About Me Facebook Twitter Instagram Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT Clinical Psychologist & Licensed Therapist My love of children led me first to the field of education, where I taught elementary school and worked with special needs children at the Kennedy Child Study Center at Saint John’s Hospital. Through volunteer work at Thalians Community […]
- [Parent Consultation](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/parent-consultation/): Parent Consultation Home -Services About Parent Consultation Parent Consultation in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Parenting is one of the most important and most challenging things any person does — and even the most dedicated parents sometimes face situations they are not sure how to handle. Parent consultation with Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, provides expert professional guidance to help you understand your child’s behavior, navigate difficult parenting challenges, and become a more effective, confident parent. Parent consultation is available as a standalone service — you do not need to have your child in therapy with Dr. Hackman to seek a […]
- [Illness](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/illness/): Illness Home -Services About Illness Compassionate Care, Expert Guidance. Aliquam iaculis ligula at dui sodales, ut tristique elit maximus. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris suscipit mi ut est mattis, nec tristique arcu suscipit. Integer vulputate elit pulvinar. Personalized Solutions Consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis. Proven Expertise Consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis. Find Out More Our Commitment to You Your Wellbeing Is Our Priority. Aliquam iaculis ligula at dui sodales, ut tristique elit maximus. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur […]
- [Divorce or Death of a Parent](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/divorce-or-death-of-a-parent/): Divorce or Death of a Parent Home -Services About Divorce or Death of a Parent Child Therapy for Divorce and Parental Loss in Santa Monica & Los Angeles The dissolution of a family — through divorce or the death of a parent — is one of the most significant experiences a child can face. Children process loss very differently from adults, and they need developmentally appropriate support to make sense of what has happened, manage their feelings, and maintain the sense of security they need to continue growing. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has extensive experience helping children in Santa Monica […]
- [School Difficulties](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/school-difficulties/): School Difficulties Home -Services About School Difficulties Child Therapy for School Difficulties in Santa Monica & Los Angeles School difficulties in children rarely have a single, simple cause. A child who is struggling academically, refusing to attend school, acting out in class, or withdrawing from learning may be dealing with anxiety, depression, learning differences, social difficulties, family stress, or some combination of these — and understanding what is really driving the behavior is essential to helping. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, brings decades of experience in both educational settings and child psychotherapy to her work with children facing school difficulties in […]
- [Peer Relationships and Social Anxiety](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/peer-relationships-and-social-anxiety/): Peer Relationships and Social Anxiety Home -Services About Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Changes Child Social Anxiety Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Social anxiety and peer difficulties are among the most painful experiences of childhood. A child who is shy, socially anxious, or struggling to make or keep friends can find school a daily ordeal — and the impact on self-esteem, emotional development, and academic engagement can be significant. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has extensive experience helping children in Santa Monica and Los Angeles navigate peer relationships and overcome social anxiety — addressing both the emotional roots of the […]
- [Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Changes](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/depression-anxiety-and-mood-changes/): Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Changes Home -Services About Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Changes Child Anxiety and Depression Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Anxiety and depression in children often look different than they do in adults. A child with anxiety might refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or complain of stomachaches before events. A child with depression might become irritable rather than sad, lose interest in play, or withdraw from friends. Recognizing anxiety in children — and understanding what’s driving the behavior — is the first step to helping. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has specialized in […]
- [Compliance With Parental Authority](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/compliance-with-parental-authority/): Compliance With Parental Authority Home -Services About Compliance With Parental Authority Teen Defiance and Authority Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Some degree of pushing back against parental authority is a normal and healthy part of adolescent development — it is how teenagers begin to establish their own identity and independence. But when defiance becomes persistent, intense, or damaging to the family relationship, it is a sign that something deeper needs to be understood and addressed. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has been helping teenagers and their families navigate authority conflicts in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area […]
- [Identity and Self-Esteem](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/identity-and-self-esteem/): Identity and Self Esteem Home -Services About Self, Parent, or Sibling Teen Identity and Self-Esteem Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Adolescence is fundamentally about identity — figuring out who you are, what you value, and where you belong. For many teenagers, this process is complicated by social pressure, family expectations, experiences of failure or rejection, or questions about gender, sexuality, culture, and belonging that the adults around them may not fully understand. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, provides a genuinely open, affirming space for teenagers in Santa Monica and Los Angeles to explore identity with curiosity rather than pressure […]
- [Consequences of Divorce](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/consequences-of-divorce/): Consequences Of Divorce Home -Services About Anxiety and Depression Teen Therapy for Divorce and Family Change in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Divorce and family breakdown are among the most destabilizing experiences a teenager can face — disrupting their sense of security, their daily routines, and their understanding of the relationships they have always counted on. The impact can show up as depression, anxiety, acting out, academic decline, or a withdrawal from the adults in their lives. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has extensive experience helping teenagers in Santa Monica and Los Angeles process the emotional consequences of divorce, parental separation, […]
- [Developmental Lags](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/developmental-lags/): Developmental Lags Home -Services About Developmental Lags Developmental Lag Therapy for Teens in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Developmental lags in adolescence refer to situations where a teenager is not meeting the emotional, social, or cognitive milestones expected for their age. This can show up in many ways — emotional immaturity relative to peers, difficulty with age-appropriate independence, struggles with abstract thinking or impulse control, or social behavior that seems more characteristic of a younger child. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has specialized in child and adolescent development for over 35 years in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area. […]
- [Academic Difficulties](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/academic-difficulties/): Academic Difficulties Home -Services About Academic Difficulties Teen Academic and School Stress Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Academic pressure is one of the defining features of adolescence in Los Angeles — and it can take a serious toll on a teenager’s mental health, self-esteem, and love of learning. When academic difficulties go beyond typical school stress and begin affecting a teenager’s mood, relationships, and sense of self, therapeutic support can make an important difference. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps teenagers in Santa Monica and Los Angeles understand what is driving their school difficulties — whether that is anxiety, […]
- [Peer Relationships](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/peer-relationships/): Peer Relationships Home -Services About Peer Relationships Teen Peer Relationship Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Peer relationships are central to adolescent development — and when they go wrong, the impact on a teenager’s mental health, self-esteem, and daily wellbeing can be profound. Social exclusion, bullying, loneliness, intense peer pressure, and the social complexity amplified by social media are among the most painful experiences teenagers face. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps teenagers in Santa Monica and Los Angeles navigate peer relationships with greater social confidence, emotional intelligence, and resilience — addressing both the immediate difficulties and the deeper patterns […]
- [Life Transition Stressors](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/life-transition-stressors/): Life Transition Stressors Home – Services About Life Transition Stressors Couples Therapy for Life Transitions in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Major life transitions stress relationships even when both partners are committed and the change is a positive one. A new baby, a career shift, a move, a health challenge, children leaving home, retirement each of these changes the structure of daily life and, with it, the relationship. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps couples in Santa Monica and Los Angeles navigate these transitions as a team maintaining connection and mutual support through the inevitable uncertainty and adjustment that change brings. […]
- [Pre-Marital Counseling](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/pre-marital-counseling/): Pre – Marital Counseling Home – Services About Pre-Marital Counseling Pre-Marital Counseling in Santa Monica & Los Angeles The best time to build a strong relationship is before the pressures of marriage, shared finances, and possibly parenthood fully arrive. Pre-marital counseling gives couples the tools, conversations, and self-awareness to begin married life with a real advantage. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, offers pre-marital counseling for couples in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles who want to enter this next chapter with their eyes open  knowing each other more deeply, having navigated difficult conversations before they become difficult moments, and building a […]
- [Parenting Differences](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/parenting-differences/): Parenting Differences Home – Services About Parenting Differences Couples Therapy for Parenting Differences in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Parenting differences are one of the most common and most corrosive sources of conflict in couples. When two parents disagree on discipline, routines, priorities, or how to respond to a child’s behavior, the resulting tension can spill over into every area of the relationship. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, is uniquely positioned to help with this challenge. As a specialist in both couples counseling and child and adolescent psychotherapy, she understands parenting not just as a relationship issue but as a child […]
- [Growing Apart](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/growing-apart/): Growing Apart Home – Services About Growing Apart Reconnection Therapy for Couples in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Many couples don’t drift apart dramatically they drift quietly. Life gets busy, intimacy fades, and the connection that once felt effortless starts to feel like something you have to remember to tend to. By the time couples seek help for growing apart, they often describe feeling like roommates rather than partners. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps couples in Santa Monica and Los Angeles rediscover the connection that brought them together — and build a closeness that is more conscious, more honest, and […]
- [Trust and Infidelity](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/trust-and-infidelity/): Trust and Infidelity Home – Services About Trust and Infidelity Infidelity and Trust Repair Counseling in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Discovering infidelity or any significant betrayal of trust  is one of the most devastating experiences a relationship can face. The pain is real, the confusion is profound, and the question of whether the relationship can survive feels impossible to answer in the immediate aftermath. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, offers compassionate, expert couples counseling for infidelity and trust repair in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. She has helped many couples navigate this devastating experience some choosing to rebuild the relationship, […]
- [Conflict Resolution](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/conflict-resolution/): Conflict Resolution Home -Services About Conflict Resolution Couples Conflict Resolution in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Every couple has conflict. What separates thriving relationships from struggling ones is not the absence of disagreement it is knowing how to navigate conflict without it becoming destructive. When arguments escalate, turn cruel, or leave one or both partners feeling defeated or unheard, the relationship itself begins to suffer. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps couples in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area develop the skills to manage conflict productively turning disagreements into opportunities for deeper understanding, rather than wounds that accumulate over […]
- [Communication Breakdown](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/communication-breakdown/): Communication Breakdown Home – Services About Communication Breakdown Couples Communication Therapy Communication breakdown is one of the most common reasons couples seek therapy and one of the most solvable with the right guidance. When conversations regularly end in argument, silence, or frustration, it is usually not because either partner is a bad communicator. It is because both are communicating from different emotional histories, different needs, and different unconscious assumptions about what the other person means. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps couples in Santa Monica and Los Angeles understand what is really happening in their conversations beneath the words, beneath the […]
- [Grief and Loss](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/grief-and-loss/): Grief and Loss Home -Services About Grief and Loss Grief Counseling in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Grief is one of the most profound human experiences and one of the most misunderstood. Whether you are mourning the death of someone you love, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, health, or a version of yourself you expected to become, grief deserves to be taken seriously and worked through with care. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, offers compassionate grief counseling and loss therapy in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles. She creates a safe space where you can honor […]
- [LGBTQ+ Concerns](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/lgbtq-concerns/): LGBTQ+ Concerns Home -Services About LGBTQ+ Concerns LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Finding a therapist who truly affirms your identity not just tolerates it makes an enormous difference. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, provides LGBTQ+-affirming psychotherapy in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area, offering a space where your identity is celebrated, your relationships are honored, and your challenges are understood in their full complexity. LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique mental health challenges rooted in minority stress, family rejection, discrimination, identity development, relationship recognition, and the ongoing work of living authentically in a world that doesn’t […]
- [Work or Career Issues and Burnout](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/work-or-career-issues-and-burnout/): Work or Career Issues and Burnout Home -Services About Work or Career Issues and Burnout Work Stress & Burnout Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Workplace difficulties and career burnout reasons that many people seek therapy and among the most underserved. Whether you’re dealing with a toxic work environment, a crisis of meaning, a difficult boss or colleague, career indecision, or the creeping exhaustion of chronic overwork, therapy can help you understand what’s happening and make clearer choices. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps professionals in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles navigate the complex intersection of work life, identity, […]
- [Social Difficulties and Shyness](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/social-difficulties-and-shyness/): Social Difficulties and Shyness Home -Services About Social Difficulties and Shyness Social Anxiety Therapy for Adults in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Social anxiety is far more than shyness. It can show up as a persistent fear of judgment, a dread of social situations, difficulty making and keeping friendships, or a deeply felt sense that you don’t belong. For many adults, these struggles have roots that go back to early experiences of connection, rejection, or not feeling truly seen. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has helped adults in Santa Monica and Los Angeles overcome social anxiety and social difficulties for over […]
- [Life Transitions](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/life-transitions/): Life Transitions Home – Services About Life Transitions Life Transition Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Even positive life changes can bring grief. Retirement, divorce, an empty nest, a move, a new career, becoming a parent these transitions shake our sense of identity and purpose, often in ways we don’t expect. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps adults in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area navigate major life changes with clarity, resilience, and a renewed sense of direction. Managing life transitions is not just about surviving change, it is about understanding what the change means to you, and […]
- [Coping With Illness](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/coping-with-illness/): Coping with Illness Home -Services About Coping with Illness Therapy for Illness in Santa Monica & Los Angeles A serious health diagnosis your own or that of someone you love can shatter your sense of normalcy and identity. Fear, grief, uncertainty, role changes, and the relentless demands of managing care can take an enormous emotional toll. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, is uniquely qualified to help. As an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA Medical School since 2005, and with experience at the Cedars Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center, she brings deep knowledge of the psychosocial dimensions of illness to her […]
- [Relationship Difficulties](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/relationship-difficulties/): Relationship Difficulties Home -Services About Relationship Difficulties Relationship Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Relationship difficulties are rarely just about the other person. The patterns we bring to our closest relationships how we communicate, how we handle conflict, how much we let ourselves be known are often rooted in our earliest experiences of connection and loss. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, helps adults in Santa Monica and Los Angeles understand the relational patterns that keep them stuck, whether they show up in romantic partnerships, friendships, family dynamics, or adult relationships with parents or grown children. Find Out More Key Points […]
- [Anxiety and Depression](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/anxiety-and-depression/): Anxiety and Depression Home – Services About Anxiety and Depression Anxiety and Depression Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Anxiety and depression are among the most common challenges adults face and among the most treatable with the right support. Whether you experience constant worry that won’t quiet down, a persistent low mood that colors everything gray, or a combination of both, psychotherapy can help you understand what’s driving these feelings and develop real, lasting tools for relief. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has specialized in treating anxiety and depression in adults for over 30 years in Santa Monica and the […]
- [Child Psychotherapy](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/child-psychotherapy/): Child Psychotherapy Home -Services About Child Psychotherapy Child Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Children often express their emotional struggles through behavior rather than words. A child who is anxious may cling or act out. A child who is grieving may withdraw or regress. A child facing social difficulty may come home from school in tears — or refuse to go at all. Understanding what lies beneath a child’s behavior is the first step to helping. Children in therapy show their struggles through play, art, behaviour and sometimes words. The therapist is trained to understand what’s being expressed and to […]
- [Adolescent Psychotherapy](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/adolescent-psychotherapy/): Adolescent Psychotherapy Home -Services About ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY Teen Therapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles The teenage years bring pressures that are genuinely intense — academic stress, social complexity, identity questions, family changes, and the relentless weight of always being online. Teens often feel misunderstood by the adults around them, and the emotional challenges they face can be significant. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has been providing compassionate adolescent psychotherapy in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area for over 35 years. She knows how to build genuine rapport with teenagers — creating a confidential, non-judgmental space where teens can […]
- [Relationship Counseling](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/relationship-counseling/): Relationship Counseling Home – Services About Adult Psychotherapy Relationship Counseling in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Whether you’re navigating a painful conflict, a slow drift apart, a breach of romance and sex is missing or simply a sense that you’ve lost the ease and closeness you once had couples counseling can help. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has been helping people with all kind of relationship in Santa Monica and Los Angeles rebuild communication, deepen understanding, and rediscover connection since 1992. She brings more than 35 years of clinical experience and advanced psychoanalytic training to […]
- [Blog](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/blog/): Blog Home – Blog Wellness Journal Inspiration for Positive Change. Navigating life’s challenges takes courage — and the right support can make all the difference. Whether you are working through anxiety, relationship struggles, or a major life transition, my practice offers a safe, compassionate space where real change begins. Start Your Wellness Journey Here. Taking the first step is often the hardest — but you do not have to do it alone. I am here to listen, to guide, and to walk alongside you as you move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Reach out today and let’s begin. Request Support
- [MY APPROACH](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/my-approach/): Rooted in Relationship. Focused on the Present. Freeing You from the Past. Home – My Approach Facebook Twitter Instagram Approach Overview There are many approaches to emotional healing, but much research indicates that the patient-therapist relationship is a crucial factor. I see the beginning of therapy as building that relationship — creating trust and an opportunity for us to truly get to know each other, so we can work together to find the obstacles between you and the life you desire. We often discover patterns in the way we function that haven’t produced the results we’ve wanted. To understand our patterns, […]
- [FAQs](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/faqs/): FAQs Home – FAQs Still Have a Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask us. Ask Support FAQ Help for Common Mental Health Concerns. What is the difference between a psychologist and a counselor? A psychologist has a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders, often using psychological testing. A counselor typically has a master’s degree and focuses on providing support and guidance for personal, emotional, or relationship challenges. How can counseling help me improve my mental health? Counseling provides a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, identify underlying issues, and develop […]
- [Adult Psychotherapy](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/adult-psychotherapy/): Adult Psychotherapy Home -Services About Adult Psychotherapy Adult Psychotherapy in Santa Monica & Los Angeles Life can feel overwhelming and you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, a painful loss, a relationship in crisis, or a major life change, individual psychotherapy offers a confidential space to slow down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and move forward with clarity. Dr. Sally Hackman, PhD, MFT, has been helping adults in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area navigate exactly these challenges since 1992. With over 35 years of experience, post-doctoral training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and […]
- [Services](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/services/): Services Home – Services Services Supporting You at Every Step of Life’s Journey. I provide psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, and children in person in Santa Monica and via Zoom. Each service is tailored to the unique needs, history and goals of the individual. Adult Psychotherapy Life can feel overwhelming at any age. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, a difficult relationship, a major life change, or a health challenge individual therapy provides a confidential space to explore what’s holding you back and build a path forward. Learn More Couples Counseling Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Couples counseling helps partners slow […]
- [Contact Me](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/contact-us/): Contact Me Home – Contact Always Here for You Your Journey Begins Here. Let’s Talk. Reaching out is the hardest part — and the most courageous. I’m here to make it easy. Whether you have questions about my services, want to check availability, or are ready to schedule your first session, please reach out. Call Me (747) 243-4897 Visit Me Santa Monica, CA 90402 Arrange a Consultation Let’s talk about your goals and find the right support plan for your needs. Get Started Still Have a Question? Don’t hesitate to ask us. Ask Support FAQ What to Expect Do you charge […]
- [Home](https://sallyhackmanphd.com/): WELCOME TO SALLY HACKMAN PHD, MFT A Safe Space to Heal, Grow and Thrive Is your life or your child’s not going as well as you’d like? Whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationship struggles, life transitions, or parenting challenges, psychotherapy can help you identify the obstacles standing in your way. I’ve been a licensed psychotherapist in 522 16th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402 since 1992, and I’m here to guide you toward the life you deserve. Begin Your Journey WHAT WE OFFER Guiding You Toward Emotional Wellness. Empowering Resilience Helping you build the inner strength to face life’s challenges anxiety, depression, life […]

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