Dr. Louis Buchhold , LMFT

Dr. Louis Buchhold is a gay cis-gendered White male (pronouns he/him/doctor) and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in California with 22 years of professional experience. He holds a Master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, a Master’s in Art Therapy, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. As an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - he brings advanced training in both talk-based and experiential approaches to therapy.

He specializes in experiential arts therapies, including art therapy and sand play, and employs play and psychodrama techniques to help clients explore emotions and personal narratives. Identifying as an Existential psychotherapist, he also integrates brief therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support clients in setting practical, self-directed assignments that promote change and personal growth.

Dr. Buchhold has worked with people managing stress and anxiety, addictions, LGBT-related concerns, relationship and alternative relationship dynamics, parenting issues, trauma and grief, intimacy and self-esteem challenges, and a broad range of other concerns. He emphasizes a strengths-based, collaborative stance, viewing clients as the experts in their own stories and offering support and empowerment as they take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Integrating Existential and CBT Approaches for Online Care

Dr. Louis Buchhold combines therapeutic approaches that support meaning-making and practical change. Existential Therapy invites exploration of values, identity, and life choices to address questions about purpose, grief, and major life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaching practical skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and addictive patterns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, validation, and a strengths-based stance to help clients build self-esteem and improve relationships.

Determining the best approach is a collaborative process - Dr. Buchhold works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then adapts methods to fit those needs. This collaborative stance supports tailored short-term work as well as deeper, exploratory therapy.

Online therapy with Dr. Buchhold offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, access support from home or other convenient locations, and continue steady progress across life changes and commitments.