Who is Dona Laressa Desmond PhD, LMFT

I specialize in helping Couples in the LA area. I work with all phases of relationship from dating, living together, engagement to marriage. Emphasis on communication. Private practice since 1993. I see clients at my offices in Santa Monica, West LA, Woodland Hills and Culver City as well as via video and phone-sessions.

License and NPI

CA LMFT 29944

NPI number? Yes

Certifications, Specialty Trainings & Degrees

Emergency Medical Tech             UCLA, Medical Center Pre-Hospital Care

Masters/Doctorate                    Antioch/AU, Psychology & Human Sciences

Couples Communication                               UCLA Mentor: Dr. Alex French

Relationship Dynamics                                  UCLA Mentor: Dr. Alex French

Anger Management                                             SCCC one year internship

Trauma Training

Trauma Recovery                   UC San Diego,Certified in Mitchell Technique

Red Cross Certification                           Early Stage Disaster Management

Red Cross Certification              Crisis Debriefing for Emergency Personnel

Red Cross Certification          Debrief Disaster Workers & First Responders

Teaching USA

Crossroads School                                 Teaching Intern Life Skills Program

FBI, LA Bureau                           Taught "Depression, Impact & Prevention"

FBI, LA Bureau                   Taught  "Stress Management in the Workplace"      

Teaching Abroad

Center for Citizen Initiatives                                                     Yekaterinburg

Taught American Psychology Techniques to European psychologists, psychiatrists and middle school teachers

Coach Training & Certification

Certified Professional Coach   College Executive Coaching, Santa Barbara

ICF                                                                International Coach Federation

Certified Relationship Coach                                       Coaching for Couples

Technical Consultant for Film & TV

TV                                                                   Oprah, Episode on "Infidelity"

TV                                                                      Naomi Judd Talk Show Pilot

Film                                  Bette Midler, Woody Allen," Scenes From A Mall"

Guest Therapist for Radio & TV

CNN News                                                        Treatment of Panic Disorder

KRLA Radio                                                Issues of Life: Your Relationship

Fox TV                                                   Impact of OCD Parents on Children

MTV                                                              Effect of TV Violence on Teens

NBC                                        Crisis Therapy for Families Impacted by 9/11

Additional Skill Sets

Emotional Intelligence:                                             Testing & Enhancement

                                                                     Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Method

Trained & Certified

The Gottman Method

Emotional Focused Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Jungian

Brief Strategic Solution-Based Therapy

Affiliations

American Association of Integrative Medicine

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Association for Traumatic Stress Specialists

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

International Association for Relationship Research

What makes me unique as a therapist

There are several unique qualities that I bring to my clinical practice. One interesting aspect is the way that I began my practice in the Los Angeles area. I launched my practice by doing house calls and field work with clients. The population that I initially served was those who were homebound due to PTSD or anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia. Their fragile emotional state was such that they couldn't leave their home to attend therapy.

During those home sessions, of course, it was often the case that other family members would be present, usually a spouse. It became efficient to include them in the sessions and via that I began to understand the contagious nature of emotions inside a relationship. As this process evolved I branched out in deeper theoretical and practical ways for helping couples.

The other population that I did field work with was people who had developed specific phobias such as flying, driving, elevators, etc. I went with these clients and did therapy with them in such places as airports, on planes, trains, freeways, in malls, hotels, grocery stores, etc. I accompanied them through their systematic desensitization as they regained their freedom to move normally in the world.

I saw couples at my office 3 days a week and did house calls and field work 2 days a week for 10 years. The range of my client base extended from Santa Clarita to Santa Monica. My clientele included housewives, celebrities, law enforcement, first responders, executives and business owners.

I am happy to extend my expertise to help you and your relationship. Email is the best way to reach me. Thanks!