Life & Work with Meredith Bishop of Los Feliz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Bishop.

Hi Meredith, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories. I started out at a very early age as a professional actor, and I’ve spent most of my life in the film and TV industry, whether working in casting, running a production company, making short films, or acting on stage. So I’ve always been curious about what makes us tick and how our early experiences shape our self-worth and influence our relationships. Though I spent years embodying people’s inner worlds, I’ve always dreamt of being a therapist.

I was also exposed to the power of therapy in the third grade. I credit that early experience for giving me a healthy perspective on therapists and a passion for the process. Plus, I remember thinking what an incredibly cool job it would be to help people in that way.

Like so many people, the pandemic offered me the opportunity to re-evaluate my life goals. I took some time to reflect on how I can use all of my best parts and lived experiences to support others. In 2021, I transitioned into the mental health field, and I haven’t looked back.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Is it ever a smooth road? I’d love to have a chat with someone who feels their path hasn’t had some major bumps along the way. A midlife career pivot, especially with a child, certainly hasn’t been straightforward, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I think that’s the true beauty of lived experience. We learn the best lessons in life from how we handle the bumps. I’m very grateful for all of the risks I’ve taken and obstacles I’ve had to overcome because they’ve proven to be the best teaching moments. I don’t know if I could have arrived where I am now if I had just cruised down a smooth road.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an associate psychotherapist at Unfolding Self, a private practice in Los Feliz where I see clients in person and remotely throughout California. I’m passionate about working with individuals, couples, and teens who are experiencing anxiety, relationship issues, and personal or professional life transitions. I tend to work with a lot of creative, high-achieving people who struggle with perfectionism and “imposter” mindsets. Many of them are trying to maintain a work-life balance while navigating the chaos of the world which is why I love using the therapy space as an opportunity for my clients to slow down. I work relationally, meaning that the trust and safety we build together models what healthy relationships can look like. I also consider the mind-body connection to deal with the mental and physical impact of stress.

My style is eclectic, rooted in psychodynamic, ACT, CBT, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches. A lot of my work focuses on helping people get in touch with their critical voice and develop a new relationship to themselves in a more compassionate way, especially during times that challenge their self-worth and sense of identity. One way I help is by offering permission to examine their thoughts without judgment so they can make choices that align with their values. It’s truly an honor to witness a client’s revelations and the pride they feel when they recognize their growth. Feeling anxious or depressed can be so isolating, so I provide a connective space to normalize and accept those struggles in order to manage them.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I’m authentically, one hundred percent myself. I show up with a deep well of empathy, humility, non-judgment, and humor, because we can also heal through laughter. And honestly, I have moved through so many of the same transitions my clients are moving through, sometimes gracefully but often clumsily. My path has certainly given me an added layer of respect and understanding for how hard it can be to give ourselves the self-care we deserve. Having said that, though, the beautiful part of this work is that for all my own experience, I’m constantly learning from the profound experiences of my clients. They continue to be the greatest teachers, each one deepening my understanding of what it really means to be human.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unfolding-self.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-bishop-853a1331a/
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/meredith-bishop-los-angeles-ca/1477207