Hello, I’m Allan
Before becoming a therapist, I spent 10 years practicing law, the majority of this time as a high-end corporate/securities lawyer in BigLaw and in-house at a public company.
I’ve also navigated my own significant challenges, experiences that have informed my life and my approach to therapy.
My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by many unexpected events in my life.
A career in Big Law and in-house cut short due to unforeseen circumstances.
Me navigating significant personal, family and health challenges.
These “curveballs” transformed me.
They fueled my decision to become a therapist to give back and be of service, just as others supported me.
I share this not to focus on myself, but because these experiences inform how I show up with clients.
They taught me how unpredictable life can be, and how important it is to have someone who can sit with you and support you through life’s curveballs and uncertainty without judgment or pressure.
We all will face challenges at some point. We are all human.
You feeling seen, heard and supported are core themes in my therapy practice. You do not have to do this alone.
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Before becoming a therapist, I spent 10 years mostly as a high-stakes corporate/securities lawyer. It was intense and demanding, full of responsibility, tight deadlines, long hours, canceled plans and little sleep.
I loved the thrill, prestige, power, money and camaraderie of that world, and wouldn't have left had major health issues not forced me to stop.
Outside of work, it seemed normal to cancel plans, miss holidays, not take vacations and let my self-care drop. My relationships were strained; I simply worked around the clock. I embraced the adrenaline and the "work hard, play hard" culture—at the time it seemed perfectly “fine”.
I understand my clients on a deep, personal level. I lived the life you’re livingl. With hindsight, I have been able to unpack what was going on for me and what may likely be going on for you: stress, imbalance and the pressure to keep performing while thinking it's all part of the job.
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After years of working as a Big Law attorney, major health issues made it impossible for me to continue on this path. Losing the work that had defined my identity was difficult, and it set me on a path of self-discovery and growth. I searched for meaning and purpose at a time when so much felt out of my control. More health challenges followed, and I also lost my brother—a period that brought a great deal of grief and reflection.
Through therapy, spiritual modalities, significant inner work, meditation, recovery groups (Alanon) and the support of many people, I began to understand myself in a deeper way. I've always been driven and analytical, but I also discovered a highly empathic, kind and intuitive part of myself.
This journey over many years led me to become a therapist. I wanted to help people in the same way others had helped me. People, connection and healing saved my life.
I value genuine connection, making an impact and looking beneath the surface (when appropriate).
As an empath, I feel deeply and share this in sessions, gently and when appropriate.
Many clients appreciate the permission to feel their own emotions. After all, so many of us bottle up what is going on.
I also share my intuition in a relatable, human way.
And I can be very solution-focused, helping clients with motivation, balance, stress management and the practical aspects of wellbeing.
Professional Bio
Education
UCLA — B.A., 1991; cum laude
University of Southern California — JD/MBA, 1995
Antioch University Los Angeles — M.A. in Clinical Psychology, 2019
Legal Career
Worked at Skadden, Arps and Wilson Sonsini in their corporate securities departments for many years
Served as Acting General Counsel at eMachines through its IPO and the dot com crash
Also worked at smaller law firms for shorter periods as I rode the corporate ladder
Left the legal profession a number of years ago due to health issues
Clinical Training & Experience
Open Paths Counseling Center (2019–2021): Worked for almost three years in a community mental health setting seeing diverse clients, couples and teens
Private Practice (2022–present): My focus is on work with lawyers. However, I also see individuals, teenagers and couples
Therapeutic Background & Modalities
22+ years of personal therapy
5 years of personal life-coaching
Significant lived experience
15 years in Al-Anon (familiar with 12-step programs)
Completed a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course
Trained in the basics of EMDR (use selective components when appropriate)
CE courses on CBT, anxiety, perfectionism and worry
Focused on spiritual and trauma coursework in graduate school
Regular meditation, exercise and ongoing stress-reduction