Hidden Gems: Meet Gaea Woods of Unfolding Self Psychotherapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaea Woods.

Hi Gaea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve reinvented myself professionally more times than I can count. The throughline has always been a deep curiosity about people and what drives them creatively, emotionally, and spiritually.

I became self-employed at sixteen, when I moved from small-town Northern California to Paris to model. I showed up with a suitcase, a dream, and a portfolio of test shots. My first apartment was a tiny attic studio with sloped ceilings so low I couldn’t stand up in the shower. Within a week, I was “scouted” while shopping for headbands.

On paper, I was successful, traveling internationally, appearing in ad campaigns, and earning more money than I ever imagined. But the reality was much darker. I developed a severe eating disorder that consumed my life and nearly destroyed my health. This was the late 1990s, long before body positivity or mental health awareness were part of the conversation. Back then, fellow models traded diet pills, bragged about surviving on a banana a day, and restricting water intake. Some girls ate toilet paper to stay “full” without calories. It was brutal.

After a final three-month contract in Tokyo left me physically depleted, depressed, and frailer than I had ever felt, I made the hard but necessary decision to walk away. The job came with prestige and external validation, but none of it was connected to real fulfillment or self-worth, and my body, mind, and spirit were shutting down.

Later, I felt grateful that I’d quit to care for my health and pursue other interests. I eventually learned that “eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness behind opiate addiction,” according to the National Eating Disorder Association.

Back in the States, I studied photography at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and spent the next decade in the creative world as a photo agent, art director, and commercial photographer. I loved the artistry and storytelling but felt disconnected from the human side of the work. I cared more about the emotional lives of people than about selling brands.

That realization found its outlet when I started hosting a live call-in radio show about sex, love, and relationships called Soulfriend Radio. I loved it. People opened up to me instantly, friends, strangers, even callers I’d never met. I realized that my natural ability to make people feel safe and seen was not just a personality trait; it could be the foundation for a career built around genuine human connection and trust.

That discovery led me to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Psychology and eventually to build Unfolding Self Psychotherapy, my group practice in Los Angeles. Today, as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I specialize in eating disorder recovery, body image healing, self-esteem, trauma work, EMDR, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). My work is about helping people reconnect with themselves, their creativity, and their inherent worth.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
LOL. No. Does anyone ever say yes?

During the years I was earning my hours as an Associate Therapist, I was running on stress and caffeine. I was h-u-s-t-l-i-n-g. Car naps were frequent. I had insomnia, chronic hives, and was buried under six-figure student loan debt. I worked constantly in two private practices (one general and one focused on eating disorders) and held two volunteer positions just to earn my hours. I often joke that it’s a miracle my partner and I are still together because he barely saw me for years.

Learning to run the business side of a private practice was also a steep learning curve. California taxes (on small businesses specifically) are no joke. And, I was determined to figure it out. I managed to earn six figures my first year in private practice (as an associate), eventually paid down my student loans, started a family, and became the primary breadwinner while my partner stayed home during our daughter’s first two years. I’m now pregnant with our second baby, and feeling excited about the future of my business and growing family.

Discovering a natural talent for the business and marketing side of therapy shifted the trajectory of my career. My success in private practice inspired me to launch a second business, where I now teach women therapists how to build thriving, six-figure practices of their own.

Through group coaching, I realized I could have a greater impact on my community than through one-on-one therapy alone. By blending mindset work with simple marketing strategy, the therapists in my program gain clarity and confidence in how they communicate and share their work. Together, we’re creating a ripple effect of healing and growth that extends far beyond what’s possible in individual therapy.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Unfolding Self Psychotherapy began as my solo private practice and organically grew into a small group practice rooted in mentorship, collaboration, and holistic, depth-oriented care. In simple terms, that means we integrate mind, body, and soul in our approach.

As my caseload expanded, so did my desire to support both more clients and the next generation of therapists. Private practice can be isolating, and I wanted to build a community of like-minded clinicians who value authenticity, depth, and creativity. Today, we’re a team of four offering holistic, depth-oriented psychotherapy for individuals navigating life’s challenges and transitions.

We specialize in eating disorders, trauma recovery, and supporting creative professionals dealing with imposter phenomenon (a much more accurate term than “syndrome,” coined by one of our own therapists), perfectionism, self-criticism, and chronic stress.

Each therapist on our team also has a creative background, ranging from professional ballet and acting to advertising and production, which gives us a unique understanding of high-achieving, creative minds. We know firsthand what it’s like to rise to success in demanding industries at the cost of physical, mental, or emotional well-being. That lived experience informs our work, and helps us connect with clients who are striving to find balance, authenticity, and self-compassion in both their personal and professional lives.

What sets Unfolding Self Psychotherapy apart is our depth-oriented, holistic approach to healing. We honor evidence-based practices while also supporting clients who are ready to explore the deeper emotional and unconscious roots of their struggles. Many of our clients come to us seeking not only relief from symptoms but a fuller understanding of themselves and their patterns. Our work often centers on themes of trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, perfectionism, and creative blocks, helping clients move from self-criticism toward connection, clarity, and authentic expression.

We are among the few depth-oriented groups specializing in trauma recovery, eating disorders, and creative identity work. Our therapists are trained not only in evidence-based treatments, such as Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), but also in mindfulness, somatic approaches, and Jungian and transpersonal psychology. Several of us also integrate alternative modalities such as sound baths, psychedelic integration, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) when appropriate.

The physical environment of our practice also reflects our values. Our Los Feliz office is designed to feel warm, intentional, and inspiring, with fresh flowers, soft lighting, and small touches that make sessions feel restorative. Healing happens in the details.
Above all, I’m proud of how seriously and passionately we take this work, and of the transformations our clients experience. We care deeply about helping people reconnect with themselves and move toward a more authentic, fulfilling life.

How do you define success?
For me, success means having the freedom to do meaningful work on my own terms. I’m proud to run a profitable, values-driven business in a field I care deeply about and to express my entrepreneurial side through expanding my range of services.

Success is also about pride and purpose, feeling connected to the work you do and the people you serve. After nearly a decade in private practice, I’ve learned there is nothing more fulfilling than watching clients heal, grow, and reach their goals. Helping people improve their relationship with themselves, and in turn with the world around them, will always feel like success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unfolding-self.com
• Instagram: @gaea.woods
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaea.woods/
• Other: https://www.gaeawoodstherapy.com/

Image Credits
1) Gaea Woods (Seated in office)
Photo credit: David Salpeter
2) Gaea with Flowers From A Client
Photo credit: Gaea Woods
3) Soulfriend Radio: Gaea Live On Air
Photo credit: Kchung Radio
4) Soulfriend Radio (bananas)
Photo credit: Hadas. Design: Desi Moore
5) Gaea wearing Soulfriend Radio Merch
Photo credit: Thomas Burns
6) – 9) Unfolding Self Offices
Photo credit: Gaea Woods
10) Gaea modeling in Tokyo circa 2001
Photo credit: Spur Magazine (Tokyo) Dec. 2001