Hi, I'm Max.

It's great to meet you.

I offer compassionate, structured support for kids, teens, young adults, and adults seeking clarity and real tools for everyday life.
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About Me
I’m Max Cadena, an LA-born therapist and LCSW, who offers down-to-earth evidence-based support for kids, teens, young adults, and adults.
Learn More About Me
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Start Where You Are
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Grow together here
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Patterns can change
Abstract brown line art of three stylized human figures connected side by side on a transparent background.
Start Where You Are
Abstract brown line art of three stylized human figures connected side by side on a transparent background.
Grow together here
Abstract brown line art of three stylized human figures connected side by side on a transparent background.
Patterns can change
Abstract brown line art of three stylized human figures connected side by side on a transparent background.

Stories of healing, stories of growth

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When you’re ready,
support is here.

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Reflections From Those I’ve Worked With

I’m grateful for the kind words shared by colleagues and clients.
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Our family had the opportunity to work with Max during a very important time in our daughter’s life. His patience, empathy, and professionalism were invaluable. He not only supported our daughter in her growth, but also helped us, as parents better understand the natural stages she was going through. Max’s ability to communicate difficult concepts in a respectful and constructive way made a tremendous difference in our family dynamic.

We are deeply grateful for the impact he made.
- Parent of a former teen client
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Max is warm, wise, compassionate, and deeply cares about his clients. I'm grateful for his knowledge and expertise as a colleague, and know that his clients receive the best care and accompaniment on their therapeutic journeys. Max is an amazing therapist!
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Maxwell is an outstanding therapist with a natural gift for connecting with children, youth and teens. His steady presence, insight, and skill make him both impactful and effective in supporting young people. He is truly exceptional and highly recommended.

Feel good - on the go

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Frequently Asked Questions

Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. That’s completely normal. Below are answers to some of the most common things parents, teens, and adults ask when they’re getting started.
What ages do you work with?

I work with children (5+), teens, young adults, and adults. While I specialize in youth, I also work closely with caregivers and offer individual therapy for adults of all ages.

What identities are you affirming of?

My practice is fully affirming of all identities. I welcome and support clients of all genders, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and family structures. I work from an ecological and intersectional lens, which means I pay close attention to how your identities, lived experiences, and environments shape the challenges you face and the strengths you carry.

Whether you’re exploring identity, navigating family dynamics, facing discrimination, or simply looking for a space where you feel seen and respected, you are welcome here.

Do you work with parents as part of a child’s therapy?

Yes. Collaboration with caregivers is often key to a child or teen’s progress. Depending on the situation, I may meet with parents regularly to share strategies, strengthen communication at home, and better support your child’s growth.

I’m an adult...is your practice only for kids and teens?

Not at all. While I love working with youth, I also work with adults who want support around anxiety, stress, identity, relationships, or life transitions. The same warm, grounded style applies at any age.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and psychodynamic/relational approaches. I also work through an ecological and intersectional lens, which means I consider the full system a person lives within: their family dynamics, cultural background, community, identity, environment, and the structural factors that shape their daily life. Our work together isn’t just about symptoms; it’s about understanding the whole context of who you are and what you’re navigating.

All of this helps me tailor therapy to each individual.

And without boring you with every acronym and piece of therapeutic jargon, it ultimately comes down to this: I’m here to help you understand yourself more fully...your strengths, your patterns, your goals, and the parts of you that deserve support and space to grow.

Do you offer in-person sessions or virtual therapy?

Both. I offer in-person sessions in Echo Park and virtual therapy across California.

How long are sessions?

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Family sessions or parent coaching sessions may vary depending on your needs.

How do I know if you’re the right therapist for my child or teen?

The best way is to schedule a short consultation. You can share what’s going on, I’ll explain how I typically approach that type of situation, and together we can see if it feels like a good fit. Every young person’s story is unique, and I take time to understand their personality, strengths, environment, and needs. My approach is always tailored so we can build a plan that genuinely supports your child or teen.

My child is nervous about starting therapy. What can I expect?

That’s completely normal. I always begin by meeting them where they are, focusing on building rapport, understanding their comfort level, and creating a space that feels safe and approachable. As comfort builds, most young people find that therapy feels surprisingly natural and not nearly as intimidating as they expected.

Do you meet with parents separately before starting therapy with my child or teen?

I typically begin child and teen therapy with a parent/caregiver consultation to understand the family context and what you’re hoping to support. After therapy begins, I check in with parents as needed to share themes, tools, and progress without breaking your child’s confidentiality. Every family is different, so we’ll tailor the level of parent involvement to what feels supportive.

Do you work with schools, teachers, or other providers?

Yes. With written consent, I can collaborate with teachers, school counselors, psychiatrists, pediatricians, or other providers to help ensure your child or teen feels supported across settings. You decide how much collaboration you want.

What kinds of issues do you help with?

I support clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotional regulation, identity questions, school stress, family conflict, cultural or immigration-related stress, trauma, grief, and general life transitions. There’s no “wrong” reason to come to therapy.

Do you give homework or coping tools?

If tools would help you or your child, I’ll provide them, but I don’t force a one-size-fits-all approach. Some clients benefit from worksheets or skills practice; others benefit more from reflection and conversation.

How often do sessions happen?

Most clients start with weekly sessions. As progress continues, we may shift to every other week or another rhythm that feels supportive. In some situations, meeting more than once a week can be helpful, especially during times of transition, increased stress, or when someone needs a little extra support. We’ll decide together what frequency feels right based on your needs.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider, which means I do not bill insurance directly. I can provide statements (superbills) that you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. It’s a good idea to check your out-of-network benefits with your provider.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel or reschedule a session with at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations within 24 hours are billed at the full session rate.

What if we're not the right fit?

Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process, and sometimes it takes a couple of conversations to know what feels right. If at any point it seems like your needs would be better supported by someone with a different specialty, approach, or background, I’ll be honest about that and help connect you with referrals.

My goal is always for you, your child, or your teen to receive the care that feels supportive, comfortable, and aligned, even if that isn’t with me.

How confidential is therapy?

Your privacy is a cornerstone of therapy. What we discuss in sessions stays between us, unless a situation arises that legally or ethically requires disclosure under California law and ethical standards.

For child and teen therapy, confidentiality is handled with care and respect for trust. Parents or guardians will receive updates on general themes, goals, and tools to support at home, but not detailed session notes. This helps create a safe space for your child to speak honestly and openly, knowing their privacy is honored.

If you need coordination with other medical or mental health providers (for example, a psychiatrist or pediatrician), I can work with you and your permission to share relevant information, always with your written consent.

If you ever have questions about confidentiality or what is shared and why, I’m happy to walk through the details with you or read more here.

What’s the first step to getting started?

Reach out to schedule a brief consultation call. From there, we’ll set up an intake session and create a plan that fits your goals and needs.