Hidden Gems: Meet Bryan Do of Bryan Do-LMFT

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Do.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career in social work in 2002 in Seattle, WA and moved to Los Angeles to continue my career. Eventually, I went back to school to earn my Masters in Psychology and upon getting licensed, I opened up my own private practice in Pasadena.

Somewhere along the way I got married and divorced. Upon the advice of my colleagues I sought out a therapist to help me navigate this stage of my life. That proved to be a mistake. I learned the hard way that modern therapy is not always kind and supportive of men’s issues. This was during my first year in graduate school and despite the negative experience, it did give me direction.

Skip to the present and today I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with offices in Pasadena, CA and Las Vegas, NV. I specialize in supporting men in therapy to feel seen, validated, and supported in their goals. These goals can rooted in the need to provide and gain resources or to better understand the dynamics of the sexual marketplace. I use a solution-focused style with influence from Evolutionary Psychology.

Over the last few years, I’ve started a podcast called LA Sessions. In addition, I’ve authored a contemporary psychological fiction series of novels also called LA Sessions (1-3, but novel four is coming later this year, hopefully). The novels provide a thrilling neo-noir style look into the Los Angeles mental health scene and the dynamics of the sexual marketplace with an emphasis on dialogue and intriguing characters.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I went through a divorce, which was difficult at the time, but I learned to reframe it as a learning experience. Neither of us were bad people. We were just not right for each other.

I learned that developing a negative bias was not the answer and I focused on goals that could move me forward in life. I also benefited from having a small but loyal and supportive tribe around me. They celebrated my wins, but also let me know when I was about to do something…regrettable.

I don’t look at struggles as hardships or obstacles. I look at them as training. It’s important for men to constantly compete in life in order to not become complacent. The world doesn’t reward people with low foreheads and their hands in their pockets. This is why I emphasize the idea that we should always be competing.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I provide psychotherapy services in person and through telehealth. I primarily specialize in therapy for male clients going through divorce, depression, anxiety, existential crisis, or just looking to level up and prevent complacency. I let my clients know that my therapy style is direct and I will challenge negative beliefs. Therapy with me is interactive and not meant to be venting without working towards solutions. Therapy doesn’t stop the moment a client leaves the session. I assign real work because the goal of bettering yourself isn’t limited to an hour a week.

How do you think about happiness?
Creating things makes me happy. I studied screenwriting in high school and college and writing has always been an outlet for me. I stopped writing around 2010, and got back into it in 2024 but this time I tried my hand at writing novels. Now, it’s my main form of artistic expression.

On top of that I love traveling and my favorite form of travel is on cruise ships. The ocean provides a sense of calm and introspection for me. And provided I’m above the water and not under it, I’ll continue to be happy.

Pricing:

• $175/hr

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bryandolmft.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryandolmft/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bryandolmft
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LASessionsTHX
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bryan-do-lmft-pasadena
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bryan-do-lmft-pasadena-ca/1158130