Madeline Holland, ACSW

I believe that all of us, at one time or another, can benefit from support in our search to better understand ourselves, to find greater ease and belonging in our bodies and lives, and to live in growing alignment with our integrity. In my own life, I’ve seen how therapy can create some steady ground upon which to build a life closer to the one that we imagine. I’ve seen how when we have places where it is safe to “fall apart,” we can actually begin the careful work of coming back together. 

My approach to therapy is person-centered and relational. This means that I’m not starting with a cut-and-paste approach in mind — I’m curious about getting to know you, your story, and your aspirations. I want to know about the people, histories, and systems that have shaped you, and also about your dreams for shaping the world around you. I want us to build a relationship that feels safe, nonjudgmental, and honest.

When it makes sense, I’ll draw on training in evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I also like bringing in a range of artistic and wisdom traditions in our work together, from novels to wisdom texts to TV shows —sometimes when we feel our most alone, we need reminders of our belonging within the universal experience of being human. I also know that talk isn’t always enough. I’ll bring in things I’ve learned from my training as a yoga teacher, tools from mindfulness and meditation, and also from creative writing and other forms of creative expression. 

In therapy with me, you can expect an engaged partner. You’ll do most of the talking, but I will ask questions, reflect back what I’m hearing, and collaborate with you on identifying patterns, connections, and possibilities that speak to your current challenges. If I sense we might be going too fast, or our nervous systems are getting overwhelmed, I will slow us down and get back in touch with the present. When I sense that we might be avoiding an area that is important to your goals, I will gently point that out, too. During our work together, I expect we’ll encounter moments that are uncomfortable and emotional, and also that we’ll find moments of levity and laughter. Ultimately, my goal is to help you to work more skillfully with your inner life in ways that will serve you well beyond your time in therapy. 

I’ve always been interested in the power of narratives to shape our lives and our societies. Before returning to complete my Master’s of Social Work at UCLA, I spent many years building and working at organizations that help refugees and immigrants to relocate and rebuild their lives. Before that, I studied history and literature at Harvard, where I wrote a thesis on “high-stakes storytelling”  in the application process for political asylum. Throughout my career, I’ve had the great privilege of working with people from all walks of life who, in the face of systems intent on limiting our humanity, insist on building lives of joy, purpose, and connection.