EMDR and CBT Therapist - Los Angeles, California

Debbie Besner, LCSW

Adult Psychotherapist

Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW27099

Private therapy sessions can be booked with Deborah Besner, LCSW both virtually and in-person. In-person sessions for adults available in Studio City, CA .

Holding Space for Your Healing, Growth & Belonging

Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, past experiences that still affect you, or a general feeling of “something needs to change,” you don’t have to sort it out alone. My style is warm, real, and collaborative. We’ll talk through what’s going on in your life, why it feels the way it does, and what might help you feel more grounded, steady, and empowered moving forward.

I pull from several approaches — including talk therapy, body-based tools, EMDR, and practical strategies. I’ll guide you step-by-step, at your pace, so you always feel supported and in control. If you’re ready to understand yourself more deeply, break old patterns, and feel more like the version of yourself you want to be, I’m here. We can meet virtually or in person at my Studio City office.

My Approach

I’m a therapist rooted in curiosity, compassion, and presence. My commitment is to help you move through whatever’s stopping you — whether it's wound, fear, shame, loss, overwhelm, or longing. Together, we’ll untangle patterns, cultivate new ways of being, and tend to the deep layers inside you that often go unseen.

I blend evidence-based practices with deeply embodied, relational work, weaving modalities to match where you are:

Psychodynamic Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Somatic Experiencing (SE I & II)
Mindfulness
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Support for integration of psychedelic experiences
(Note: I do not administer or guide psychedelic experiences directly. I support preparation & integration)

What I Support

I work with adults dealing with:

Anxiety, depression & pervasive worry
Trauma, PTSD & emotional dysregulatioin
Self-criticism, low self-esteem, negative self-talk
Relationship wounds, partner conflict, breakups
Grief and life transitions
Burnout, stress, career overwhelm & reorientation

Session Options

Virtual — California residents
In-person — Studio City, CA

Rates & Policies

Session Rate: $250 per 50-minute hour
KAP/Integration sessions: Price varies — contact me to discuss
Payment: Cash, credit card, or check accepted
Insurance: I am out-of-network. You may use a superbill for potential reimbursement.
Cancellation: 24-hour advance notice required. Missed/no-notice - full session charged.

My Training & Roots

MSW, Columbia University
B.A. Psychology, Pennsylvania State University

I’ve spent years working in outpatient mental health settings, guiding folks through transitions, relationships, trauma, and all the in-between. I draw from both somatic and cognitive modalities, relational and experiential work, so each session is attuned to your evolving needs.

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