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Dr. Louis Buchhold

Therapist · California

Dr. Louis Buchhold, LMFT

Compassionate existential therapist with creative approaches

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Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

  • Existential perspective
  • CBT and brief work
  • Expressive art methods

About Louis

Dr. Louis Buchhold is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with over two decades of clinical experience. He holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and two master’s degrees, and he brings a background in art and expressive methods to his work. He speaks English and uses a direct, respectful style with people who seek help for stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, and life changes.

He describes his overall stance as existential - focusing on meaning, choice, and how people want to live. He combines that outlook with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thought patterns, and with brief, goal-focused techniques to support practical steps forward. Sessions often include homework or self-driven assignments to help people test change between meetings.

His work includes a range of issues such as addictions, grief, sexual concerns, chronic pain and illness, and concerns common to LGBTQ+ clients. He also lists interests in areas like geriatric issues, codependency, and various forms of process and sex-related concerns. He approaches these topics without judgment and with attention to each person’s values.

Dr. Buchhold uses expressive tools such as art, sand play, and psychodrama when they fit a person’s needs and comfort level. These methods can help when words alone feel limiting or when someone wants a more experiential way to understand feelings. He emphasizes collaboration and respects each person’s knowledge about their own life.

People who prefer clear goals, practical steps, and occasional creative exercises may find his approach helpful. To begin, readers should use the site’s Start Therapy process to match and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTRelationship issues

Also works with

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyDrug and alcohol addictionForgivenessHIV / AIDSIsolation / lonelinessMen's issuesPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sex addictionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

How his approaches translate to online work

Dr. Buchhold blends existential therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in ways that can fit online sessions. Existential therapy focuses on questions of meaning, choice, and values; it helps when someone wants to rethink how they want to live. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings link together and offers concrete techniques to change patterns that cause distress.

He also uses motivational interviewing to support readiness for change and solution-focused techniques to set clear, short-term goals. Together these methods allow conversations that explore big life questions while still producing practical steps and homework tasks the client can use between sessions. He approaches this work collaboratively and will help clients decide which methods feel most useful for their goals.

Specific session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also supports using art-based or experiential exercises adapted for remote sessions when those methods suit a person’s needs.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he address?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, and addictions. Additional focuses include chronic pain and illness, sexuality and LGBT concerns, and process or sex-related difficulties.

How would you describe his therapy style?

He combines an existential outlook with practical tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and brief, solution-focused techniques. Sessions can include self-driven assignments and expressive methods when helpful.

What experience does he bring?

He has 22 years of professional experience and draws on doctoral-level training plus two master’s degrees to inform his clinical work.

What credential and region should I know about?

He is an LMFT licensed in California and provides services from that state.

In which language are sessions available?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does he work with clients outside the United States?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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Dr. Louis BuchholdReview online therapy options on BetterHelp.

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