I’m Ellen Butterfield, I’ve been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Studio City since 1996.  

    I believe that one of the main payoffs of effective therapy is that a person feels understood, and truly connected with and supported, sometimes for the first time in his or her life. Whether you are in the middle of a crisis, or just feel you need to take charge of your life and make some positive changes, therapy can give you the tools you need to help you become the best "you" possible.

    While there is a commonality among all human beings, I treat each patient with sensitivity toward that person’s own individual personality and feelings. You’re the expert on you - I help you to understand more clearly who you are, what are the causes of feelings that may  be interfering with your sense of well-being, and help you cope with life in a more skillful manner, and feel better.

   In addition to individual therapy, for adults, children and teens, I also facilitate groups for people suffering from the trauma of divorce, and provide therapy for children of divorce.  

    In couple’s counseling, I help partners learn how stop fighting and to deal with each other and their relationship in a more healthy, less upsetting way, and to resolve longstanding issues.

    I use my own  experience in the movie and television industry to help actors and writers understand themselves, maximize their creativity and increase their career success.

   In addition, as the survivor of a husband who died of cancer, I understand, on a personal level, feelings of grief and pain over  the loss or illness of loved ones.