PLEASE READ!! Self Help LA is one of the best businesses I have encountered, it's a kind of place you would need to go in and experience for yourself to understand.  By reading through all the reviews on here it is very clear to see that any bad ones are from people that NEVER came to their session. They actually do a great job at explaining their 24 hour policy over the phone and in person (my hair salon and doctors office have the same requirement). It's ridiculous how some people that leave reviews refuse to take responsibility for their own actions (including someone here that clearly states they did not leave a message for a missed appt). I mean how irresponsible can you actually be??  These people are professionals, this is a business and you need to respect their time. Don't people have any understanding of morals, values and respect anymore?? Must've been a millennial! lol  Here is my personal experience. Making the phone call: From the first day that I called, I spoke with Natalie over the phone and she answered all of my questions about how it works and what makes them different than traditional therapy, and I did have a lot of questions. lol  She was very nice and proceeded to explain their approach very thoroughly, I was convinced right away that this is the place!  I scheduled an appointment with Rafael for the following week (all other counseling centers I called either did not answer the phone, did not explain anything to me or couldn't provide me with an appt for 4-6 weeks!)  I couldn't wait because I was literally falling apart due to leaving a bad relationship. The appointment: I came in to my appointment a little nervous and even skeptical, I mean it all sounded too good to be true.  They even sent me videos to watch before my appt so I could be prepared. Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.  I came in with severe anxiety and panic attacks at an all time high and was feeling very distraught.  My practitioner had a very calming and soothing energy, it relaxed me right away.  He sat there asking some very interesting questions and within about 20 minutes we discovered where all my anxiety stemmed from.  My mother! Go figure. He helped me calm down with a visualization of some sort and boy did that do the trick. I felt more calm than I had in years!  And if you've ever suffered from anxiety, calm just doesnt seem to be a word in your vocabulary.  I received some homework from my session and left feeling rejuvenated. For the first time in a long time I felt something that had been missing from my life. Hope. I felt hopeful.   Future sessions: Yes the practitioner was great and I felt this new sense of excitement that had eluded me for some time. It wasn't until about the fourth or fifth session when I realized that this was all up to me. If anything was going to change I had to make a change. And I did! I made a commitment to myself that first day and I stuck with it all the way through. Rafael helped me to regain some much needed self confidence and finally start to feel good about myself again. I even got to meet the owner one day, great guy by the way and very knowledgeable man.  There is a documentary about him on Youtube that I found when doing research.  All I have to say is my experience was spectacular and if you're going to come here then be ready.  These people are serious about what they do, they are all pretty sharp and very knowledgeable when it comes to mental health. I hope this review helps someone out there just as much as reading all the positive reviews helped me.  Good luck. read more

I have recently begun exploring new avenues to improve my life, improve my business prospects and work on my relationships with everyone. I first discovered Self Help Los Angeles by attending their Success Mindset course and I must say I was impressed. I am at a point in my life where I have attended many seminars and have listened to many speakers and Armando is definitely one of the best. If you take nothing else from this review it should be to take the Success Mindset course as soon as possible. Just a small summary of what I have gained: - How to have a successful mindset for business - How to take action and life a life you want to live - How to improve relationships with anyone - The importance of a mindset in influencing how happy you are in life. Finally we have an organization right here in Downey. This is the only venue of its kind in this area. No excuses as you do not have to drive all the way to across town to receive these kinds of services. Prices are very affordable especially compared to other locations which can cost a ton more. Believe me I've checked. The most important thing I realized is there are resources for overcoming phobias, anxieties, depression, negative energy and basically whatever bothers you that do not involve years of wasted therapy talking to a psychologist. In these cases the therapist's primary goal is keep you coming back for sessions for years so you keep paying them over and over again. Armando at Self Help can do in 1 hour what others can't do in 1 year. That alone is reason enough to seek this place out. If you've got just one negative belief about yourself that if you could get rid it you would be so much happier and don't want to pay for years of expensive therapy you need to come here now. read more

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! I could write a book about how transformational my experience has been by coming here. Found this place on Yelp. I read every single review and was absolutely certain this place could help me. I made the call and spoke with someone over the phone, can't remember her name but she was very helpful and answered all of my questions. Came in for my first session and it was so refreshing to speak to someone that actually "gets" you. Trust me, I've gone to counseling in the past for anxiety and relationships but it was never as eye opening as my sessions were coming in here. Every session (came for a few months) I was understanding more and more about myself what I was NOT doing in my life to make things better and literally a step by step guide of instructions to get my a** in gear! The visualizations during my sessions were awesome and I gained so much clarity for my future. These practitioners will not just sit there quietly and let you babble endlessly about nothingness. Oh no. They will listen, talk, interject, laugh, be stern, and be sincere all rolled up into one. It's very hard to describe but YOU must be ready to change. I can tell by the reviews which people came in here expecting the therapist to "change them" or which people just complain about everything in their life. We all know, "When the student is ready the teacher will appear." Do yourself a favor and stop making excuses. Get your phone call them and make an appointment right now. Not only you but the people in your life will be so glad you did. Namaste read more

hello my name is oscar, I started taking therapy in this place with Mrs. Leticia, I have gone through many situations in my life but in the month of September 2021 I had an event in my life that turned everything around me, in the mental aspect, emotional, spiritual, sentimental, as a human being I totally destabilized, I felt lost, I never felt like this and I thought I would come to think so many things about myself, and about my life, I started taking my therapies in the month of December 2021 To date with Mrs. Leticia , who has helped me rescue me , rebuild me , believe in me , know me , heal me , respect me and forgive and forgive me , among many other things , has helped me to recognize the tools that I have always had in my life and how to use them for my own well-being, I have been able to accept the things of life and see them from a healthier and more neutral perspective, today I continue to work, in my life and in myself in a more humble, human way, and with more compassion towards myself and towards those around me, today I have made the decision to take therapy every year as part of my health and not because I feel bad but because I have learned that it is something necessary and important to dedicate time to your health interior as a human being , I am very grateful for your work , your dedication , your professionalism , your ethics and human quality , infinite thanks to my therapist Mrs. Leticia , and even though I am about to finish my sessions , I know that soon we will see each other more renewed and stronger ... thank you read more

Finally an honest, trustworthy place in Orange County! I brought my mom here after she had several anxiety attacks and was prescribed anti depression medication by her doctor a few years ago. We really have tried so many things from various forms of counseling, going to a psychologist to acupuncture, you name it we tried it and nothing seemed to help her. Then one day we stumbled upon this place. It was life changing to say the least! My moms panic attacks stopped after her very first session and then she continued to improve very quickly. I really don't know how to explain what they do, it's like magic. The Dr. explained how the problem stemmed from a relationship issue my mom had years ago and that breakup had created a sort of "mini trauma" in her life. The anxiety attacks were just the way her body was expressing that fear that hadn't gone away. It was so obvious once he explained it to us and it seemed like no other doctor could figure that out, all they wanted to do was prescribe her medication. There are pretty much a group of experts here at your service just waiting to help you through any problem you can possibly face in life. My mom saw Dr. Armando, he's the owner, and he is one of the most caring souls I've ever met. I am finally able to see my mom laughing again, being happy and silly for no reason and over all just living her life again. My entire family is so happy for her and we now have a new "go to" place for any of our family concerns. Definitely recommending this place to everyone I know! read more

I came to see Dr Armando a few weeks ago to quit smoking. I have tried several things in the past (been smoking 17yrs) and nothing has helped. He helped me Quit Smoking in just ONE SESSION!! I was blown away to say the least. He asked me lots of questions before I even came in, just to make sure I was ready to quit and gave me some homework to do before I came in for the session. I know lots of people say they want help but at the end of the day it's the responsibility of each person to change for themselves, I finally realize that now. The session was very thorough, very comfortable and even pretty funny. He has a unique ability to get you to see and even laugh at your own bs. I remember him saying that we all have a story that keeps us trapped in our own BS. The moment we are ready to let go of that story is the moment we are ready to change our lives. I didn't realize all the stories I used to tell myself in the past that kept me stuck where I was. Dr. Armando even helped me write a new story for my NEW life. After our session he gave me some tasks to do and followed up with me a week later. He is very thorough and has high expectations. He's honest, straight forward and has a no BS type of personality, I like that. It's now been 6 weeks that I am a NON Smoker, I feel amazing. I've been to therapy in the past, tried hypnosis and even hired a life coach but there is nothing out there like this place read more

Dr. Armando was amazing. All my life, I had an intense fear of the ocean. Growing up I couldn't shower with the door closed or even see images of it on TV (lame, I know)... I couldn't understand why, but knew something traumatic must of happened to me either in a past life or early age. Three years ago, my father passed away from Cancer. One of his last wishes was for his ashes to be spread in the waters of his homeland... Hawaii. I had never visited the islands before and was terrified at the thought of having to fly over the ocean, and spend a week there... surrounded by water! With just four days until the trip, I stumbled across Dr. Armando's contact info while researching ways to overcome fears. I emailed him and received a call back immediately. He spent about an hour on the phone with me and rescheduled his appointments to squeeze me in before I left. With just ONE session, he was able to tap into the origins of my fear and change/reprogram the emotions (fear) I had been affiliating with the ocean. My trip to Hawaii ended up being life changing. I was able to carry out my father's last wishes and explore the world he grew up in. Spent every day on the beaches of Maui and Oahu, and took tours around the islands discovering the places I'd hear my father tell me about in stories. I am forever indebted to Dr. Armando. I couldn't have had that kind of closure without his help. read more

I initially found Self Help Los Angeles and was in search of a solution to help fix the communication between my boyfriend and I. My boyfriend got locked up so i ended up going by myself (GOD works in mysterious ways)! This program/seminar has really changed my life! It has really helped me put my life into perspective that it made me realize i needed to put my focus on myself first (the rest if it's meant to be will follow). I have BIGGER concerns going on like having a cyst and some fibroids in my pelvic area and I am severely anemic that I was advised that i needed a blood transfusion in order to get my blood level up so i can have the cyst removed because like this i am unable to have any children (I want at to be able to have one). I realized this program has helped me to stay focused and to summon up my courage to be able to make instant decisions and to get them done in a very positive attitude! Yesterday i had my biopsy done and today i go for the blood transfusion and what would have been an experience of fear and anxiety (mental chaos) which would have prevented me from taking any kind of action was simply and completely removed after a 2 day seminar with Self Help Los Angeles (no one on one even needed)! I never thought it would or could be possible but i am proof that it is! read more

This place is phenomenal, there are so many wonderful transformations that have happened in my life after coming here. I have been working with a life coach since the beginning of the year and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. :) When I first started I thought I was going to come in for relationship counseling and then very quickly I realized that my relationship was in a place far beyond counseling.  I was not really living life on my terms, I was so used to waiting for other people to tell me, help me or guide me and I wasn't taking action on things that were important to me. Very quickly I learned how to take control of my life, my focus and start creating goals for myself. In the past I used to feel anxiety about the future and it's now been months and I have conquered more goals in the last 6 months than I have in the last 6 years!  My life is moving so fast now and I am so elated that everything is falling into place. Thank you Dr. Armando and all your staff for everything that you have done for me.  I would absolutely recommend this place for anyone looking to move forward in their life, definitely worth making the call. read more

My partner and I met Wes a few years back and did not go threw with our sessions. About a month ago, I was happy to find that his office was doing socially distant in-person appointments, and we decided to seek his help once again. From the get go the vibe from everyone in the office was welcoming and made us feel at ease. No matter who answers the phone when you call every one I have to wants to help. I have seen other therapists before and I can attest first hand that the approach Wes takes has been the most effective for us. We don't sit on a couch venting with each other wanting to cut each others throats when we leave the room, instead we work on ways we can communicate better in a way that builds connection between us. Simply stated, he gets to the the root of the issue instead of focusing on the symptoms. Another deal breaker for us was the down to earth, non-bs way he gets things through to you. During these very difficult times it is reassuring to know that Self Help is there to fulfill the needs of us people in need. Give them a shot, you will be happy with the results. read more

All I can say is AMAZING! Everyone I've met here is like an Angel sent from heaven. I originally came in for hypnosis to rid myself of anxiety and to get off my medication, since I was going through a difficult relationship at the time. I was totally blown away since I've been trying to get off meds for years and thanks to Self Help LA I am finally free! I feel so much healthier now, they explained how my body can heal itself, I received nutrition advice, cleared up a food allergy and have even lost 16lbs!! I am so much happier now I just don't know how to thank them enough. This has truly changed my life. I sent my sister here and she signed up for life coaching and we even attended some of the seminars they offer. Everything they do here is top notch and you wouldn't really know that they have an entire team of healers. I would strongly suggest going to ALL the workshops they do, they are full of so much useful info about relationships, people and life overall. You will open your eyes to a whole new life like I did. :) Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! read more

I was going through a lot of changes at once from finances to emotional stress. I felt like my mind was having a hard time understanding and dealing with everything that was going on. It felt like I was in a jungle all alone, trying to figure my way out. I tried over and over to find the answer on my own but it was only as if i was just going deeper and deeper into that jungle. I finally broke down and accepted The help I needed. I was recommended to Emerzon by someone very close to me and even though I was skeptical initially he helped me realize that the answer was right in front of me. From breathing exercises to other tools I was provided by him I was able to ground myself and navigate my way out of that feeling of being alone and lost. Other therapist just want to sit back and listen I loved the fact he helped me understand how to control my anxiety, the process is effective being hands on not a drag of me listening to my own voice the entire time. If I could give this guy a higher rating I would. Thanx Man. read more

When I first realized I needed some professional help to deal with my anxiety I thought long and hard about what it was I wanted. My first requirement was to find someone who would help me "rewire" my brain. The second was that I wanted it to happen in a manner that would make me feel like the therapist knew what I was going through. Through google I found Self Help. Their website illustrated their beliefs and strategies and I was right away sold. I sat down with Wes in my first session expecting to go into the source code in my brain and modify it. The first session was indeed the start of the rewiring process. After just a few sessions I was a different man. Wes explained to me that anxiety was nothing more than an emotion; an emotion that was there to get me to pay attention to what my mind and body needed. I now look at anxiety not as an enemy but as a tool to face my fears and transcend to a place where I better understand myself and what it is I must do to carry on with my life. Thanks Wes. read more

I attended the Success Mindset two day course and I highly recommend it to everyone. Armando teaches the core fundamentals of how we are internally wired. He goes to the root of the objective and helps you gain confidence in taking the next step to changing your life. I gained a better understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do. I'm a successful business owner and normally thrive in all that I do, but I needed a good refresher and new motivation so that I could take myself to the next level. We all need a good coach no matter what stage in life we may be. I came out of the course energized and motivated to conquer what ever came next. The class was fun, I met some amazing new people with similar mindsets. I learned new tools that I was able to apply immediately. I will continue to work with Armando and hire him to personally coach me and my company. If you are truly committed to change, Self Help Los Angeles is the place to go to take that first step. read more

I learned about Self Help Los Angeles through a friend and advise me that there was a free seminar about relationships and being recently divorced I decided to attend. It was a decision that I will never regret. I never expected that what I learned I would be able to apply this to all my relationships, whether they were business, family or social relationships. I saw a huge improvement in all my relationships. Shortly after, I attended another seminar called 'Success Mindset' and was blown away once again by Dr. Armando. He has an amazing way of getting through to you and helping you confront fears that are buried deep inside that do not allow you to move ahead in life. Funny how we self sabotage ourselves which keeps us from being successful in life. I highly recommend Self Help Los Angeles. He's been a blessing in disguise! Thank you Dr. Armando for what you do. read more

I have seen a lot of therapists, psychologists, councilors, and psychiatrists throughout my life. None of them have been nearly as effective as the therapists from Self Help. I went in with very a very specific issue I wanted to work on and that issue was resolved within a few sessions, along with other things we uncovered together. A session feels like a conversation with a good nonjudgmental friend. I felt comfortable saying anything. Instead of sitting there and listening to you talk about your problems, they will spend a short amount of time discussing your problems and the majority of the time trying to actually SOLVE whatever issues are troubling you in your life. This place is about action, not talking. There is a tremendous amount of value I get from these sessions. I would and do recommend this place to friends and family. read more

I recently took the Success Mindset weekend classes. With certainty I have learned to identify my behavior patterns, my self talk of which was hindering my goals to my own sucess, my relationships, get rid of fears, and actually I stopped stressing out & find peace, that's just a little of what I have learned. I have even showed my kids a couple techniques and they have improved in school, their grades, and best of all their attitude, it's amazing! Dr. Armandos classes, are like no other, I highly recommend him. His classes are for EVERYONE, no matter your age, boy or girl or what flavor you are. Believe me you will think as I do, "If I just had known ____, I would be ___" Dr. Armando, Thank You!! I appreciate you and grateful you are in my Life. I must stop here because I have lots to do. read more

Wes has been amazing, he's funny too! Self Help definitely has a different way of approaching marriage counseling. At first you might be a little skeptical but when results follow you stop questioning it. Meaning focusing on the end goal and not the past. We are half way through our first package, and are very happy with what we have been able to accomplish with Wes. Its always something new and it's not the same repetitive things every session. Wes tells you from the beginning that you have to be committed. We are, and get a lot in return from him. Looking forward to the second half of our package and others to come. You will always have issues but they teach you how to deal with them. We are very happy with Wes and his approach on how to deal with our marriage. read more

I attended a workshop recently at Self Help Los Angeles. Dr. Armando was a phenomenal instructor who really made it clear how we are in charge of our own destiny. We learned that we, based on our internal programming, are in control of the direction of our lives. The weekend and all the information learned was very empowering! I was even used as a "test subject" to show how quickly our mindset can be changed. In less than 5 minutes, Dr. Armando was able to help me eliminate a phobia that I've suffered from for many, many years! I am completely amazed that it only took 5 minutes! If you are interested in learning more about how we, as people, function or if you're suffering from personal challenges, I highly recommend Dr. Armando and Self Help Los Angeles! read more