Dr. Louis Buchhold , LMFT

Dr. Louis Buchhold is a gay cis-gendered White male who brings 22 years of professional clinical experience as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California. He holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, a Master’s in Art Therapy, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. He identifies his clinical identity as an existential psychotherapist and integrates experiential arts methods into his practice, including art therapy, sand play, play-based techniques, and psychodrama to help clients access emotions and patterns that are difficult to reach through talk alone.

Alongside experiential work, Dr. Buchhold uses brief therapy strategies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), often assigning self-driven exercises to help clients apply new skills between sessions. His areas of focus include stress and anxiety, addictions, LGBTQ related concerns, relationship and alternative relationship dynamics, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy and self-esteem issues, depression, and parenting support. He approaches each person from a client-centered stance, holding that individuals are the experts in their own stories and that their strengths can be mobilized to overcome challenges. He aims to support and empower those willing to take courageous steps toward a more satisfying and meaningful life. He uses he/him/doctor pronouns.

Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care with Dr. Buchhold

Dr. Buchhold combines several approaches to meet clients where they are. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and supporting the client's own goals, helping people build self-awareness and confidence when facing relationship, grief, or self-esteem concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be effective for stress, anxiety, depression, and some addiction-related patterns. Existential Therapy explores meaning, choice, and responsibility, supporting clients who are wrestling with identity, purpose, or deep life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Buchhold works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit best given their needs, goals, and preferences. He frames therapy as a partnership where client priorities guide the plan and adjustments are made as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate work, family, mobility, or geographic constraints. These remote options make it easier for clients to maintain continuity of care, access therapeutic support from home, and integrate therapy into busy lives while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor care to each individual.