Quick Answer
Angeles Psychology Group is a depth-oriented, private-pay psychology practice in Los Angeles founded by Dr. Neil Schierholz, PsyD. It offers root-cause therapy for individuals, couples, and families through rare modalities like Orgonomic therapy, IFS, and depth psychology — culturally competent and affirming by default, in person and via telehealth across California.
Key Takeaways
- Angeles Psychology Group is a depth-oriented Los Angeles practice that addresses the root causes of distress rather than managing symptoms, using rare modalities most local therapists do not offer.
- Founder Dr. Neil Schierholz, PsyD (PSY25154), trained in orgonomic (Reichian) therapy at the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California and brings both scientific rigor and humanistic depth to the work.
- The practice is private-pay by deliberate choice, with superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, so care follows the client's needs rather than insurance session limits.
- Cultural competence is a baseline expectation: clinicians are LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive of all relationship structures, including polyamory and non-traditional families.
- Every relationship begins with a free 20-minute consultation, because research shows the therapeutic relationship is the single strongest predictor of whether therapy works.
01 — OverviewWhat Angeles Psychology Group Is
Angeles Psychology Group is a depth-oriented, private-pay psychology practice in Los Angeles that helps people address the root causes of their struggles rather than simply manage symptoms. Founded by Dr. Neil Schierholz, PsyD, the practice exists for those who want more than coping strategies — people ready for the deeper, more lasting work of understanding why their patterns formed and how to change them. Most conventional therapy is built to manage symptoms within the constraints of insurance authorization. We were built to do something harder and more durable: to work beneath the symptom, with the whole person, using modalities that reach the structures driving distress. Our clinicians integrate depth psychology, Internal Family Systems, somatic approaches, and orgonomic (Reichian) therapy alongside evidence-based methods. The result is care that clients consistently describe as challenging, rewarding, and life-altering. Everything begins with a free consultation, because the right fit between client and therapist matters more than any single technique.
Angeles Psychology Group is a depth-oriented, private-pay psychology practice in Los Angeles, founded by Dr. Neil Schierholz, PsyD, that treats the root causes of psychological distress through specialized modalities and culturally competent care. (~35 words)
Care that begins with being understood
Before any technique, there is a relationship. Our clinicians lead with attentiveness and genuine curiosity about who you are, because both the research and our own experience confirm that the therapeutic relationship is what makes change possible. We hold an abiding commitment to cultural competence across the sexual spectrum, race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. We serve individuals of all identities, including LGBTQ+ clients, people of color, creatives, and those in non-traditional relationships. You can meet our team to see the clinicians behind the practice, or read our mission to understand what drives the work. The American Psychological Association emphasizes that affirming, identity-aware care is essential to good outcomes — a principle woven through everything we do.
Why we work outside the insurance model
Psychotherapy is a labor-intensive process that insurance companies tend to restrict, capping sessions and shaping care in ways that can lead to poorer outcomes for depth work. We made a deliberate choice to operate as a private-pay practice so our clinicians can let the therapy follow your needs rather than a billing code. We provide superbills for clients seeking out-of-network reimbursement, and we explain that process clearly before you commit. Research compiled by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that an adequate course and dose of therapy matter for results. Explore the services we offer or the modalities we use to see how this philosophy shapes the actual work. The goal is always lasting change, not managed symptoms.
Explore the Practice
Everything you need to beginThis page is the front door to the practice. From here you can meet the people who do the work, understand the philosophy that guides it, and explore the services, conditions, and modalities that make up our care. Each area below goes deeper — start wherever your questions are, or simply book a free consultation and let us help you find the right path. Whatever brought you here, there is a low-pressure way to take the next step.
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What We Help With
02Our approach to depth-oriented care
Depth-oriented care means looking beneath the presenting symptom to the patterns, history, and unmet needs that drive it. Rather than treating anxiety or low mood only at the surface, our clinicians ask what those experiences are rooted in and work there. This often means integrating several approaches — depth psychology, Internal Family Systems, somatic work, and orgonomic therapy — chosen to fit the person rather than a protocol. You can explore the full range on our treatments page, or see the conditions we work with. The aim is not faster symptom relief for its own sake, but change that holds because it reached what was actually generating the distress.
Whole-person, not a diagnosis
We treat people, not labels. A diagnosis can be a useful starting point, but it is never the whole story, and many of the people we work with arrive with experiences that do not fit neatly into a category. Our clinicians hold the full picture — history, relationships, body, identity, and meaning — even when several concerns overlap at once. Because we are a group practice with diverse training, we can match each person to the clinician and approach most likely to help, and adjust as the work unfolds. This flexibility is a strength: the work stays centered on you rather than on a single method. If something is not landing, we recalibrate together.
Integrative by design
We treat people, not labels. A diagnosis can be a useful starting point, but it is never the whole story, and many of the people we work with arrive with experiences that do not fit neatly into a category. Our clinicians hold the full picture — history, relationships, body, identity, and meaning — even when several concerns overlap at once. Because we are a group practice with diverse training, we can match each person to the clinician and approach most likely to help, and adjust as the work unfolds. This flexibility is a strength: the work stays centered on you rather than on a single method. If something is not landing, we recalibrate together.
Source: American Psychological Association — Understanding Psychotherapy
03Why people come to us
Most people who find Angeles Psychology Group have already tried therapy somewhere else. They learned coping skills, completed worksheets, and felt better for a while — then noticed the same patterns reassert themselves underneath. That experience is common, and it is not a personal failure; it usually means the work addressed the surface rather than the root. Our practice was built precisely for that situation, and the arc below describes what tends to change when the approach finally fits.
The Problem
Many clients arrive having tried therapy that focused on coping skills and worksheets. It helped for a while, but the same patterns returned underneath, leaving them wondering whether deeper change was even possible.
The Solution
We work beneath the symptom — with depth psychology, Internal Family Systems, somatic work, and orgonomic therapy — to reach the structures actually driving the pattern, matched to the person rather than a protocol.
The Resolution
Clients who had plateaued elsewhere often find movement here. The change tends to hold because it reached the root, and people describe the work as challenging, rewarding, and genuinely life-altering.
Ready to do the deeper work? A free consultation is the simplest first step.
Book a Free Consultation04Meet our founder, Dr. Neil Schierholz, PsyD
Angeles Psychology Group was founded by Dr. Neil Schierholz, a licensed clinical psychologist whose path to this work was anything but conventional. After a career in global consulting, a week-long retreat at Esalen introduced him to orgonomic (Reichian) therapy and changed the course of his life. He left consulting and spent nine years retraining — through a second master's and a doctorate — to bring this rare, body-centered work to as many people as possible. You can read his full background and the rest of the team on our team page. His blend of scientific rigor and humanistic depth shapes how the entire practice approaches care.
Whole-person, not a diagnosis
We treat people, not labels. A diagnosis can be a useful starting point, but it is never the whole story, and many of the people we work with arrive with experiences that do not fit neatly into a category. Our clinicians hold the full picture — history, relationships, body, identity, and meaning — even when several concerns overlap at once. Because we are a group practice with diverse training, we can match each person to the clinician and approach most likely to help, and adjust as the work unfolds. This flexibility is a strength: the work stays centered on you rather than on a single method. If something is not landing, we recalibrate together.
Integrative by design
We treat people, not labels. A diagnosis can be a useful starting point, but it is never the whole story, and many of the people we work with arrive with experiences that do not fit neatly into a category. Our clinicians hold the full picture — history, relationships, body, identity, and meaning — even when several concerns overlap at once. Because we are a group practice with diverse training, we can match each person to the clinician and approach most likely to help, and adjust as the work unfolds. This flexibility is a strength: the work stays centered on you rather than on a single method. If something is not landing, we recalibrate together.
05What working with us is like
Angeles Psychology Group was founded by Dr. Neil Schierholz, a licensed clinical psychologist whose path to this work was anything but conventional. After a career in global consulting, a week-long retreat at Esalen introduced him to orgonomic (Reichian) therapy and changed the course of his life. He left consulting and spent nine years retraining — through a second master's and a doctorate — to bring this rare, body-centered work to as many people as possible. You can read his full background and the rest of the team on our team page. His blend of scientific rigor and humanistic depth shapes how the entire practice approaches care.
Whole-person, not a diagnosis
We treat people, not labels. A diagnosis can be a useful starting point, but it is never the whole story, and many of the people we work with arrive with experiences that do not fit neatly into a category. Our clinicians hold the full picture — history, relationships, body, identity, and meaning — even when several concerns overlap at once. Because we are a group practice with diverse training, we can match each person to the clinician and approach most likely to help, and adjust as the work unfolds. This flexibility is a strength: the work stays centered on you rather than on a single method. If something is not landing, we recalibrate together.
Integrative by design
We treat people, not labels. A diagnosis can be a useful starting point, but it is never the whole story, and many of the people we work with arrive with experiences that do not fit neatly into a category. Our clinicians hold the full picture — history, relationships, body, identity, and meaning — even when several concerns overlap at once. Because we are a group practice with diverse training, we can match each person to the clinician and approach most likely to help, and adjust as the work unfolds. This flexibility is a strength: the work stays centered on you rather than on a single method. If something is not landing, we recalibrate together.
The Bottom Line
Angeles Psychology Group offers depth-oriented, affirming, private-pay therapy in Los Angeles for people ready to address root causes rather than manage symptoms. The work is challenging and rewarding, and it begins with a relationship. The simplest next step is a free consultation — meet a clinician, ask your questions, and find out whether we are the right fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Angeles Psychology Group different from other Los Angeles therapists?
Angeles Psychology Group is a depth-oriented practice built for people who want more than symptom management. Most therapy in Los Angeles focuses on coping strategies and short-term relief, which can help but often plateaus when the underlying patterns are left untouched. Our clinicians are trained in rare modalities such as Orgonomic (Reichian) therapy, Internal Family Systems, and depth psychology that few practices in the city offer. We treat each person as a whole mind, body, and spirit rather than a collection of symptoms to be managed. Cultural competence is a baseline expectation for every clinician here, not a specialty add-on, so clients of every identity and relationship structure feel understood from the first session. The practice was founded specifically for people who have tried therapy before and felt it stall. If you are ready for honest, challenging, and rewarding work, this is the kind of place built for it.
Who is the practice the best fit for?
We work especially well with adults, couples, and families who want to do deep, root-cause work rather than surface-level symptom relief. Many of our clients are high-functioning people who have tried therapy or medication before and found that it helped only to a point. Others come to us navigating identity, relationships, meaning, or the weight of being unseen in the world. We welcome clients of every identity, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, creatives, and those exploring non-traditional relationships such as polyamory. The common thread is a readiness to engage in work that is challenging and rewarding rather than quick or easy. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or a clear goal to begin. A free consultation is the simplest way to find out whether we are the right fit for what you are carrying.
Why is Angeles Psychology Group a private-pay practice?
Angeles Psychology Group is private-pay by deliberate choice, and that decision is rooted in protecting the quality of care. Insurance companies tend to restrict the number and length of sessions, require a diagnosis to authorize treatment, and shape care in ways that can work against the depth work we do. By operating outside that model, our clinicians can let the therapy follow your needs rather than a billing code or a utilization review. We provide superbills so that clients with out-of-network benefits can seek partial reimbursement from their insurer directly. Our team is glad to walk you through how that process works before you commit to anything. Investing in the right care up front often costs less over time than years of treatment that never reaches the root. The free consultation includes a transparent conversation about fees so there are no surprises.
What are Dr. Neil Schierholz's qualifications?
Angeles Psychology Group was founded by Dr. Neil Schierholz, a licensed clinical psychologist in California (license PSY25154). He holds a PsyD and an MA in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from UC San Diego. After a career in global consulting, a retreat at Esalen introduced him to orgonomic (Reichian) therapy and changed the direction of his life and work. He completed advanced training in Character Analytic and Orgonomic Therapy at the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California. His research has been published in The Journal of Psychiatric Orgone Therapy. This combination of scientific rigor and deep humanistic training shapes how the entire practice approaches the work. He continues to see clients and to guide the clinical philosophy of the group.
What happens during the free consultation?
The free consultation is a relaxed conversation of about twenty minutes, offered at no cost and with no obligation. You will speak with a clinician about what is bringing you in, what you are hoping for, and any questions or doubts you have. The purpose is to determine fit, not to enroll you in a program or pressure you toward a decision. Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship is the single biggest factor in whether therapy works, which is why finding the right match matters more than anything else. If we are a good fit, we will talk about next steps and scheduling. If another clinician or practice would serve you better, we will say so honestly. You can book the consultation directly through our online scheduling system whenever you are ready.
Do you offer telehealth, or only in-person sessions?
We offer both in-person and telehealth sessions, and many clients combine the two depending on their week. In-person sessions take place at our tranquil office on Wilshire Boulevard in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood of Los Angeles. The space was custom-designed to provide the safety and containment that deep therapeutic work requires. We also provide secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth to clients throughout California and, where permitted, internationally. Telehealth makes consistent care possible around demanding schedules and protects privacy for those who prefer it. Some depth and somatic work benefits from being in the room together, and your clinician will be honest with you about when that matters. Scheduling is flexible, with availability seven days a week.
How is the practice committed to culturally competent and affirming care?
Cultural competence at Angeles Psychology Group is a baseline expectation rather than a marketing line. We hold an abiding commitment to it across the sexual spectrum, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and every other dimension of human difference. Our clinicians are LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive of all relationship structures, including polyamory and non-traditional families. Many bring lived experience or deep training in the communities they serve, which shapes how they understand identity, shame, and the psychological weight of marginalization. You will not be asked to explain or justify who you are before the real work can begin. The American Psychological Association emphasizes that affirming, identity-aware care is essential to good outcomes, and that principle is woven through everything we do. Affirming care here means understanding how identity and experience shape psychological development, not simply welcoming everyone through the door.
How We Built This Resource
This page was written from Angeles Psychology Group's own practice information and reviewed by founder Dr. Neil Schierholz, PsyD (PSY25154) for accuracy. External claims about therapy outcomes and prevalence are sourced from the American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health. It is reviewed and updated regularly as the practice evolves.
What's new: June 2026 — rebuilt page with expanded FAQs and verified founder credentials.
References
- American Psychological Association. "Understanding Psychotherapy and How It Works." apa.org, 2024. apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/understanding
- National Institute of Mental Health. "Mental Illness." nimh.nih.gov, 2023. nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
- National Institute of Mental Health. "Psychotherapies." nimh.nih.gov, 2024. nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies
- American Psychological Association. "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender." apa.org. apa.org/topics/lgbtq
- California Institute of Integral Studies. "Clinical Psychology (PsyD)." ciis.edu. ciis.edu
- Esalen Institute. "About Esalen." esalen.org. esalen.org/about