Joe Girillo
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT 85895I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families.
Find therapists in South Pasadena. Therapists that list their practice on TherapyDen agree to be inclusive and welcoming of all genders, races, countries of origin, sexual orientations, body sizes, religions, and abilities. Therapists promise, to the best of their abilities, to create a safe place for anyone and everyone that seeks services.
The therapists, counselors, social workers and psychologists below treat common issues such as depression, anxiety, loss, relationship issues and trauma. Performing an advanced search will allow you to filter for therapists that have specialized experience and training in more modern areas such as non-monogamy, body-positivity, racial justice, queer-competency and more.
Find a therapist in South Pasadena that can meet your needs and provide a comforting non-judgmental space.
I often see driven professionals in high-pressure environments. Many of my clients are men, trying therapy for the first time or continuing work they've already started. Clients generally come to see me to work through stress, anxiety (especially social anxiety), depression, life transitions and trauma. I'm also trained and passionate about working with the broader LGBTQ+ population.
Take a quick survey to find therapists that match your needs.
You're a people-pleaser, late-bloomer, self-explorer, or someone who values your inner life and wants to dive deeper. Adults who are creative, curious, and compassionate but struggle to apply those strengths to themselves consider me a good fit, as do those who crave relationships but find them to be more trouble than they're worth.
I work with young adults and millennials who are tired of struggling with anxiety, depression, attachment, breakups and difficult family dynamics. If you feel as if you've lost a sense of connection to yourself, we'll work together to regain self-trust so that you can move confidently through life. My role is to assist in maximizing what is working and minimize what isn't while finding glimmers of joy along the way. Working with clients who are ready to step into their power is what I do best.
Do you struggle with the belief that no matter what you do it won’t be good enough? Is it hard to say "no" to others because if they are upset with you, you will feel guilty? Maybe you walk on eggshells around others, scared to say the wrong thing so you shut down and don’t speak up? I help people like you learn what your needs are so you can advocate, build boundaries and thrive in your relationships.
We work clients who want to improve their self esteem, feel better in their bodies, and generally feel less stuck in their heads. Our clients tend to be perfectionistic and driven, and often wish they could feel more at ease. We work with clients in a wide range of life situations, and have specific insight into the needs of artists, athletes, parents and people in high stress careers.
My clients are high-achieving women who strive to balance demanding careers with personal fulfillment and self-care. Many come to me feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. I also work with their families and partners, helping them navigate dynamics, improve communication, and foster harmony. Whether they’re in LGBTQ+ partnerships, poly/open relationships, or more traditional dynamics, my clients value growth, authenticity, and creating deeper, more meaningful connections.
Take a quick survey to find therapists that match your needs.
It can be hard to know where to turn when you feel hopeless, overwhelmed, isolated, lost, or estranged from inner aliveness. Your feelings make sense - everyone gets lost sometimes. Panic and anxiety can be terrifying, and depression can feel immovable. You will gain relief, personalized tools, and creative solutions with a trusted ally in the therapeutic process. My approach is compassionate and curious, and I value trust-building collaboration and actionable treatment planning.
They come from all walks of life. Many struggle with grief and loss--of a loved one, or of a cherished idea of how life was meant to be. Some feel at war with themselves; the survival strategies of the past--once so vital--no longer serve them, leading to depression, anxiety, and diminished relationships. They are in a bind: longing to connect but frightened, with good reason, of the vulnerability that makes connection possible. I help them move in the direction of growth and deeper connection.
Navigating modern adulthood can be complicated and stressful. I specialize in helping folks in their 20s and 30s heal from trauma, anxiety, insecure attachment, difficult life transitions, and relationship challenges, with particular expertise in working with survivors of sexual assault and emotional abuse. My approach is feminist, queer-affirming, and sex-positive. We'll work together to identify patterns, build upon strengths, and enrich your sense of self.
Early experiences influence the way we act and engage in the world. Without time to reflect we can get stuck in habits and patterns that are meant to protect us but prevent us from true connection with others and the present. Together we will identify root causes of the behaviors and repeated actions that no longer serve you. We will practice being vulnerable. Clients who are serious about making changes while maintaining a sense of humor when needed will do well in this practice together.
The teenage years are filled with anxieties of self discovery and identity. As a young adult you may have parts of yourself you feel like you must hide. You may feel like there are conflicts with who you are, and how you currently present in the world. You may be coming to a deeper understanding of your gender or sexual identity. This can be a scary time that can complicate your relationship with your friends and family. Together we can explore ways to find a little more ease in the journey.
Take a quick survey to find therapists that match your needs.
I work with individuals and relationships looking to live more authentically and to deepen their relationships. My clients are often seeking self-discovery and growth, whether they’re exploring gender identity, building meaningful relationships, addressing intimacy, or healing from religious trauma. Together, we can create a space of acceptance and curiosity, fostering a path toward a life that aligns with their full selves.
Living in a world that often tells you you don't have the right to exist as you are can be exhausting. You may feel constantly misunderstood, disregarded, or as though you just can't get ahead no matter how hard you try. You might want healthier relationships with others but have no idea what that means or how to create one. If you feel as though you never got the handbook on "how to human," or have spent your life trying to fit into a predetermined mold that just doesn't fit, I can help.
I see many people who are overwhelmed with their day-to-day life, and often because of this, their important relationships have begun to slip away from them. They long for close, grounded relationships that enable them to experience more of the best parts of life.
I find that my clients come to treatment when they have arrived at a life transition- be it loss of relationship, job, death of loved one, or realization of past traumatic experiences- and are ready to process their emotions and heal. Openness to exploring your internal world, including past traumatic experiences that may be impacting your life, is integral in the work I will support you in.
I work with people who feel like their lives are a mess. Sometimes this sense of chaos has been lifelong. Other times something has happened that completely upends the structure of a person’s life, leaving them to pick up the pieces. The people I work with don’t fit into a neat diagnostic box. They often struggle with issues across a number of domains, whether eating, substance use, career, identity, and of course relationships. I also work with many people who are queer and/or artists.
Take a quick survey to find therapists that match your needs.
I am an AASECT certified Sex Therapist, who works with individuals and couples who identify as LGBTQIA+, Kinky, Sex Workers, or practice Polyamory/Consensual Non-monogamy. I help any client interested in experiencing a more fulfilling relationship with sexuality or gender and is looking to heal from trauma.
I have experience helping adults, adolescents and couples who are coping with anxiety, depression, illness, loss, life transitions including gender and sexual identity, substance abuse, relationship concerns including non-monogamy, negative body image, menopause, and the particular challenges faced by those working in the creative fields.
We all have wounds. Whether they be from complex trauma, grief, chronic pain/illness, relationship difficulties or other hardships in life, we all have emotional scars. But we also all have the innate, inherent capability to heal, grow, & positively change. If you need guidance, validation, support, & greater insight, you've come to the right place.