About Me

A Bit About Who I Am

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Man in a dark suit crouching and smiling beside a brown dog wearing a white bandana on a stone patio.Smiling man in a white t-shirt standing on a curved path with greenery and a building in the background during sunset.Man smiling and sitting in a stadium or arena seating area wearing a blue Dodgers shirt and black LA baseball cap.Man wearing sunglasses, white t-shirt, and jeans standing outdoors in front of a modern wooden house with greenery and trees around.Man in orange shirt and sunglasses holding a leash with a brown dog on a sunny suburban street.A man wearing a white Dodgers baseball jersey and a cap, standing outdoors at night with one hand on a railing and smiling.

Here's My Story

Before becoming a therapist, I was deep in the corporate tech world: living for the weekends and feeling disconnected from the work I was doing. The one part of that job that actually meant something to me was supporting my team. I found myself drawn to the moments when someone came to me for help, guidance, or clarity. That spark stayed with me, and after a few twists and turns, it eventually led me toward clinical social work.

But the truth is, the pull toward this work started long before that.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and the city has shaped everything about who I am... the people, the diversity, the complexity, the beauty, and the very real challenges many families face here. Growing up in a city where cultures, identities, and experiences overlap in such a raw and honest way gave me a deep respect for community and for the struggles people carry quietly. I’ve always felt connected to the families, kids, and young adults navigating those realities, because I grew up seeing them firsthand.

Leaving the tech world to pursue therapy was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made, but easily the most meaningful. I enrolled in USC’s Master of Social Work program and committed myself fully to understanding how to better support individuals, families, and communities.

During my training, I worked across Los Angeles: school districts, community mental health agencies, community-based programs, and private practice settings. Those experiences grounded me even more deeply in what it means to show up for kids, teens, young adults, and parents with compassion and cultural awareness.

Today, after years of clinical work focused on youth and families, I offer warm, relational, and evidence-based therapy for people of all ages. I show up with empathy, honesty, and a grounded presence, and I take pride in creating a space where people feel understood, supported, and empowered.

I look forward to connecting with you,

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Max Cadena (he/him), Licensed Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW (Lic. #135368)

Feel good in numbers

12
professional therapists
100+
patients monthly
25
years of experience
Start Where You Are
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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.
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.

Legendary team of therapists

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Each and every specialist will give you his or her undivided attention - making your healing seamless.
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We consits of 20+ specialists in their area giving you the best possible service.
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When you’re ready,
support is here.

Schedule A Call
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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.

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 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. I also offer sport psychology and mental performance coaching for youth athletes and young adults. There's no "wrong" reason to reach out.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. I am now in-network with Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross California, Cigna, Aetna, Quest Behavioral Health, and Carelon Behavioral Health. If you have one of these plans, I will bill your insurance directly. For all other plans, I can provide superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Feel free to bring any insurance questions to your consultation call.

What areas do you serve?

I’m based in Echo Park and primarily work with clients throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. Through secure telehealth, I’m able to support children, teens, young adults, adults, and families across neighborhoods including Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, Pasadena, and other nearby areas.

If you live anywhere in California, we can work together virtually. Geography doesn't need to be a barrier to getting the support you need. I regularly work with clients in San Francisco, San Diego, the Bay Area, and throughout the state via telehealth.

Do you offer in-person sessions or virtual therapy?

Both. In-person sessions are available at my office in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Virtual therapy is available to anyone in California through a secure video platform. Many clients use a combination of both depending on the week.

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.

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.

I've never been to therapy before. What should I expect?

The first session is a conversation, not an evaluation. We'll talk through what's been going on, what you're hoping to get out of therapy, and what your life looks like right now. By the end you'll have a clear sense of how I work and whether it feels right. There's no pressure to have everything figured out before you come in.

How long does therapy usually take?

It depends on what you're working on and what you want from the process. Some people come for a focused stretch of a few months around a specific challenge and feel ready to move on. Others find ongoing support useful for longer-term patterns or recurring stress. We'll talk about your goals and let those guide the pace rather than committing to a fixed timeline upfront.

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.

How long are sessions?

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Family sessions and parent coaching sessions may run slightly longer depending on what we're working on. Sport psychology sessions are also 50 minutes. We'll figure out the right length and frequency together based on your specific situation.

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.

What’s the first step to getting started?

Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. It's a low-pressure conversation where you can share what's going on and get a sense of how I work. No commitment, no paperwork - just a starting point. From there, if it feels like a good fit, we'll set up an intake session and build a plan around your goals.

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.

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.