Rising Stars: Meet Rori Gold of Silver Lake

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rori Gold.

Hi Rori, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From childhood, I was immersed in art — always drawing, coloring, taking painting classes, and spending my lunch breaks in the art room. That passion led me to the Rhode Island School of Design, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Graphic Design. After graduating in 2006, I moved to New York City to build my creative career as a graphic designer and, eventually, an art director.

In 2016, I took a last-minute trip to Los Angeles with a few friends. By the time I got back to the East Coast, I was convinced that the change I needed — more space, a different pace, and better access to nature for my dog and I was waiting for me in LA. After six years in Manhattan and six in Brooklyn, I decided to test things out west. I secured a 3 month sublet in LA and moved with my car, some clothes, my dog, but no job leads, no solid network, and no close friends. Things came together quickly: I found freelance work, then my full-time job as the Art Director for the LA Philharmonic, a great community of new friends, and even a handful of old friends who moved out here after me too.

In 2017, I left my full-time job to return to freelancing and was fortunate to re-enter the experiential design space—the kind of creative work I have always enjoyed. At the same time, I could not ignore the desire to engage in work that would directly support and nurture others. This prompted me to reflect on what other careers could feel meaningful and fulfilling.

From a young age, I had exposure to the world of mental health, as my father was a psychiatrist. Back then, no one was talking openly about their thoughts, feelings, emotions, let alone their mental health diagnoses. These conversations were never stigmatized in my home. I realized that my upbringing, personal experiences, the lessons I’ve gathered throughout my life, and my curiosity of others and their stories had naturally prepared me to pursue a career in psychotherapy.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and the experiential design industry ground to a halt, I finally had the pause I needed to pivot. I quickly applied to graduate school to become a therapist — and I haven’t looked back since.

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?
Going to graduate school in 2020 meant that I had to attend classes remotely. This came with its own challenges, compounded by the demands of my freelance work and the strain of balancing both. All of this unfolded against a backdrop of global turmoil— the pandemic, political unrest, and a widespread sense of instability and uncertainty. It was a lot to process, especially while preparing for a career centered on supporting others through similar stressors.

Since graduating, many of these challenges have resurfaced — shifting political tides, a familiar administration returning to power, multiple wars breaking out, and, closer to home, the devastating Palisades and Altadena fires, and the heartbreak of seeing my community impacted by ICE raids. There will inevitably be challenges in life—but I am continually reminded of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a psychotherapist who loves connecting with people, hearing their stories, and collaborating to find a path forward. I work with kids, teens, adults, and couples,, specializing in anxiety, self-esteem, perfectionism, relationship concerns, and personal or professional life transitions. Therapy with me is genuine, judgment-free, and welcoming to clients from all backgrounds.

My approach is integrative — rooted in psychodynamic and strengths-based perspectives, while incorporating neuroscience and evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, attachment theory, and mindfulness. When working with children and teens, I often weave in art therapy and mindfulness skills to support emotion regulation. My goal is to help every client move through life with greater clarity, confidence, resilience, and self-compassion. I see clients in person in Silver Lake and virtually throughout California.

What I’m most proud of is having the courage and belief in myself to get here. I didn’t do it alone — I’ve been fortunate to have the support of friends, family, my partner, and colleagues, and I stay grounded in gratitude for that. I’m also proud of the strength and perspective my brother instilled in me. I also carry with me a piece of advice from one of my favorite artists, David Lynch: “Keep your eye on the donut, not on the hole.” It’s a reminder to stay focused on what’s there so you can stay grounded, grateful, and able to move forward instead of focusing on what’s missing. I’m proud of myself to do this and to get to model it for my clients as well.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I have long embraced the sentiment “no risk, no reward,” though it is important to apply this principle thoughtfully rather than universally. I am wholeheartedly in favor of risk-taking when it is guided by a deep connection to our inner-knowing, or intuition, as some like to call it. I believe that ignoring this voice can shift us further away from our truth. Challenges invite growth, and whether a risk is carefully considered or taken spontaneously, it carries the potential for outcomes both wonderful and difficult—or sometimes somewhere in between.

My older brother, who passed away from a debilitating disease, was my greatest teacher. Watching him face countless challenges, always with a smile on his face, instilled in me a steadfast determination and the courage to take risks. I’ve learned that this sometimes involves taking a big risk or a ‘leap of faith.’ I do my best to live my life in his honor and that includes being brave and true to myself, especially when fear wants to take over. In that spirit, I like to think of myself as having a strong sense of adventure, tempered by an analytical mind—accompanied by the ever-present, faint, yet cautionary voice of my anxious and loving mother in the background.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rorigoldtherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rorigoldtherapy
• PsychologyToday: www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1241023
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorigold
• Other: https://share.google/qN2jfJHT9GwgtPJPW