Heart-centered Psychotherapy

Hi! I’m Maggie.

I’m a Licensed Therapist (LMFT #145986) with 9 years of experience supporting individuals through trauma and deep emotional healing. I earned my Master’s in Holistic Counseling Psychology from JFK University in San Jose in 2018. I now offer teletherapy for adults located anywhere in California. Since I can remember, I have always had an insatiable curiosity about people and human nature. I have always enjoyed connecting with people in deep and meaningful ways. I am skilled at psychoanalytics; my aim is to really understand who you are, what your life experience has been, and noticing subtle patterns. I also consider myself an empathetic, curious, gentle, and open-minded person. 

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My approach is highly individualized and may include EMDR (I’m trained through Thrive, EMDRIA-accredited), or talk therapy with IFS-informed work, psychoanalytics, depth therapy, and even psychoeducation on trauma and the body, neuroscience, polyvagal theory, attachment styles, and more. I am very "eclectic" in the way I practice; I even sometimes incorporate astrology, Myers Briggs, and Enneagram from a Jungian lens for those who are interested! I like to ask a lot of questions at the beginning. I like to know what clients are coming to me for (maybe they don't even fully know because of trauma and other factors and they need help gaining clarity). Then, I use assessment tools to form a picture.

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Some of the Areas I Specialize in:

• PTSD and Complex Trauma (including but not limited to: verbal abuse trauma, sexual trauma, childhood trauma, having been bullied, attachment wounds and much more)

• Neurodivergence (ASD, AuDHD, ADHD, HSP, Giftedness/2e, OCD) and all the nuances that come with that~ "neuro crash", sensory overwhelm, feeling different, communication differences, social confusion, differences/challenges with focus, social masking followed by exhaustion, and more. I also offer testing for ASD & ADHD, but please note that LMFT's cannot write disability paperwork. 

• Disordered eating and body image; for those with active severe Eating Disorders, a Residential or IOP/PHP might be a better fit, but we can discuss this if you would like!

• Mild Substance Use; for those with active severe Substance use, Residential or IOP/PHP might be a better fit, but we can discuss this as well :)

• Chronic health challenges: hypermobility, autoimmune conditions, headaches/migraines, inflammation

• Self-esteem, Perfectionism, Having a harsh inner critic

• Anxiety 

• Transition to adulthood

• Work stress 

• Relationship challenges

• Pregnancy and postpartum

• Parenting

• Navigating this complex ever evolving world and so much more

 

Fees & Insurance~

My rate is $140 for individual therapy. I also offer every-other-week sessions as an option to reduce cost. I’m in-network with Aetna (HMO, EPO, PPO). For all other insurance plans, I can support you in using out-of-network benefits—without the hassle of submitting superbills (I use Thrizer to make this easy). I’m happy to run your benefits and walk you through options.

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What Makes Working With Me Unique~

• I really value your privacy. I write my therapy notes and store them in a locked file box—not online. I use Alma, which allows me to prioritize client confidentiality, and I avoid platforms that perform internal audits on notes. I also keep my notes vague to further protect your privacy.

• I offer close collaboration with a psychiatrist. While we run separate practices, I regularly collaborate with a trusted neurodivergent affirming, brilliant psychiatrist. With your consent, we can communicate to provide coordinated care; two minds are better than one! (This is optional of course!).

 

More About Me~

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and did my undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder with a focus on Eastern Religions. I later moved to California and lived there for 13 years where I did my Masters. I now live out of state (California is one of the few states that allows LMFTs to reside elsewhere while continuing to offer therapy via telehealth). 

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Alma Profile: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/margaret-kohout/

LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kohout

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/maggie-kohout-los-angeles-ca/941548

Tumblr for Mental Health & Self-care Inspiration, etc: https://heartcenteredpsychotherapy.tumblr.com