Therapy in Hermosa Beach for people who are doing well on paper and not okay underneath.

Executives, founders, high achievers, and the couples who love them. In person in Hermosa Beach, and online across California.

Our Clients Have Built Careers at Companies Like These

Expert Insight Featured In

A Boutique Practice for People Who Carry a Lot

True transformation starts with connection & understanding.

I started Lisa Chen & Associates for the kind of people I used to work alongside. Before I became a therapist, I trained at Wharton and Harvard Business School and spent my early career in investment banking, Wall Street trading, and tech.I know what sustained success costs, because I've paid some of it: the burnout nobody sees, the anxiety that looks like competence, and the marriage that gets whatever is left at the end of the day.

Our team is small on purpose. I hire and train every clinician for work with complex, high-functioning people and couples. We use EMDR for trauma and performance stress, Internal Family Systems for perfectionism and the inner critic, and the Gottman Method and IFIO for couples.

This isn't surface-level therapy. It's focused, deep work for people who are used to carrying more than most.

What We Help With

  • Image of a heart representing a highly sensitive person

    Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

    You notice more, feel more, and loud, fast workplaces take more out of you. We help you manage the overload and use your sensitivity on purpose. More about therapy for highly sensitive people.

  • Magnifying Glass of a Person symbolizing perfectionism and harsh inner critic

    High Achievers and Perfectionism

    High standards built your career. Now they're running the rest of your life. We help you keep the drive and drop the constant self-audit. More about therapy for high achievers.

  • A black and white line drawing of a house with a tree next to it, a person standing in front of the house, and a dog sitting nearby.

    Executive Burnout

    You're still delivering, and that's the problem. Burnout at the top rarely looks like collapse. It looks like a shorter fuse, worse sleep, and a calendar that isn't yours anymore. More about executive burnout therapy.

  • When Success Feels Empty

    You hit the goals. The success is real. So why does it feel hollow? It's a quiet gap a lot of high achievers reach and rarely say out loud. More about when success feels empty.

  • Image depicting an individual who has stress and anxiety

    Anxiety and Stress

    Worry that hides behind competence is still worry. We help you quiet the constant scanning so you can rest when the work is done. More about anxiety therapy.

  • Image of a person who has trauma

    Trauma and EMDR

    Some memories don't fade on their own. EMDR and Internal Family Systems help your nervous system finish processing what happened, so it stops running the present. More about trauma therapy.

  • Cloud image representing an individual suffering from depression or sadness

    Depression

    Depression in capable people often looks like functioning. You keep showing up, and everything feels flat. You don't have to push through it alone. More about depression therapy.

  • Image of couples who might be interested in couples therapy or relationship therapy

    Couples Therapy

    You love each other and keep having the same fight. We help you see the pattern underneath it and find your way back to each other. More about couples therapy in Hermosa Beach.

  • Couples Intensives

    Four or six focused hours instead of 50 minutes a week, for couples facing a decision or a deadline. More about couples intensives.

Meet Our Team

Medical Advisory Board

  • Colin Camerer, PhD

    Colin Camerer, PhD

    Caltech University Robert Kirby Professor of Behavioral Economics

    T&C Chen Center for Social and Decision Neuroscience Leadership Chair

  • James Chen, MD

    James Chen, MD

    Mayo Clinic Physician

    Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine Specialist

  • Nicholas Kalynch, CRNA

    Nicholas Kalynch, CRNA

    American Association of Psychedelics

    American Health Council

    CEO of Sunbelt Anesthesia Services

  • Rajesh Shetty, MD

    Rajesh Shetty, MD

    Mayo Clinic Physician

    Chronic Pain & Illness

    CEO of Florida Eye Specialists

  • Dr. Jorge Torres-Saenz, PsyD

    Dr. Jorge Torres-Saenz, PsyD

    Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist

    EMDR Certified Therapist

    EMDR Trainer & Consultant

Lisa is a deep listener. Her expertise comes from decades of life experience, and her ability to offer insight leaves me considering new perspectives and provides hope.
— Cynthia B
My son and I felt comfortable working with her. She earned our trust at the deepest levels and was able to help us resolve long-standing issues in a gentle, but pragmatic manner.
— John F and Kirk F
I had been suffering from depression and anxiety when I finally sought help from Lisa. Each session truly made a difference to my health.
— Peter T

Start with a free 20-minute consultation

Tell us what's going on. We'll book you with the right clinician, or help you figure out who that is. In person in Hermosa Beach or online in California and Florida.