Meet Justine Gordon - Therapist for Ambitious Adults in Los Angeles and throughout California
You have incredibly high expectations for yourself but find that the pressure, expectations and self-doubt you experience keep you from going after what you really want in life.
OR …
Maybe you’re starting to reach some of those bigger milestones you’ve set for yourself but noticing that the level of drive and dedication it takes is starting to take a toll on your life.
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place!
I’m Justine Gordon and I help ambitious adults in Los Angeles who are driven to succeed but feel stuck, overwhelmed or unfulfilled on the inside.
My work is centered on helping you unpack the deeper patterns behind your current struggles, so success no longer has to come at the expense of your own well-being.
I’ve been there!
One of the reasons I care so deeply about this work is because I understand what it feels like to grow up in an environment where achievement and success are always present and influencing who you think you have to become.
Early on in life, I developed patterns like people-pleasing, overthinking and indecisiveness as a way of coping with the pressure I experienced. These patterns became more pronounced as life became more demanding, showing up in work, relationships and even in the way I approached motherhood.
For a long time, I didn’t understand why. I was operating under the assumption that success, achieving more, doing better, reaching my next goal, would naturally resolve all of my internal struggles and finally bring that sense of peace, ease and fulfillment that I was craving at my core.
What I eventually came to understand and what I teach my clients now is this:
Ambition doesn’t erase your patterns or self-beliefs. It just reveals them.
Here’s how therapy in Los Angeles can help!
Your ambition and relationship with success may be affecting you in very different ways.
Maybe it shows up as relentless inner pressure to keep pushing forward, doing more, achieving more, staying in motion. Slowing down feels risky because you might fall behind or miss the opportunity that changes everything.
Or maybe the pressure feels heavier. You find yourself feeling stuck, overthinking every move, unable to make decisions because it feels like one wrong choice could ruin everything you’ve worked for.
However it shows up, the goal of my work is to help you address these patterns at the root. I want to not just manage the symptoms, but understand why the patterns developed in the first place and how they’ve been trying to protect you.
As that begins to shift, you’ll start to feel calmer in your day-to-day life, less controlled by internal pressure and more present in the parts of life that success alone can’t fulfill. All without losing access to that inner drive and hunger for success that keeps you going.
This is how I approach therapy with my clients …
My approach is warm, collaborative and deeply thoughtful. I don’t believe in telling you to simply slow down or care less about success. Your ambition has most likely been tied to your identity, safety, purpose and self-worth for a long time. It deserves to be understood, not judged or removed.
Using a blend of different modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we’ll explore the deeper patterns behind the pressure, loosen the internal rules and beliefs that keep you stuck and create practical skills that support your everyday life.
The result is often a more sustainable relationship with success: one where you can still strive, still grow and still care deeply about your goals, without feeling consumed by them.
Learn about my background as a therapist
My name is Justine Gordon, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California.
My path to becoming a therapist was anything but linear. I was born and raised in California and earned my bachelor’s degree in dance at Pitzer College. I later pursued pre-med studies at Loyola Marymount University and spent two years in medical school at Western University of Health Sciences before discovering my true passion for psychotherapy.
I eventually earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.
Because of this path, I understand firsthand that growth, success and direction aren’t always straightforward. Many of the clients I work with are navigating similar questions around pressure, expectations and finding a path towards success that feels aligned and sustainable for them.
If you’d like to get started, I invite you to reach out and schedule a free consultation with me. I know that reaching out to a therapist can feel like a lot. But let me reassure you that you don't have to have it all figured out before we talk. A consultation is just a quick 15 min conversation to ask questions and a chance to see if this feels like the right fit for you.
Some fun facts about me
Favorite Book
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Sunday Vibe
A good cup of coffee, hanging out with my family, sneaking in a hot yoga class & wrapping up the day with takeout & a movie.
Favorite Quote
“What we don’t need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human.” — Brené Brown
If I Wasn’t A Therapist, I’d Be…
If I wasn’t a therapist, I’d be a party planner. I’ve always loved bringing people together & creating spaces that feel warm, fun, and memorable.
Favorite Song Lyrics
You, who are on the road / Must have a code you try to live by / And so become yourself / Because the past is just a goodbye / Teach your children well / Their father's hell did slowly go by / Feed them on your dreams / The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Teach Your Children by Corsby, Stills & Nash
Comfort TV Show or Movie
My comfort show is Parenthood. I love how it captures the beauty and chaos of family life. My comfort movie is Notting Hill. There’s something timeless about its humor, charm & big-hearted message that love can show up in the most unexpected places. It never fails to make me smile.
Follow me on Instagram !
I’d love to connect and share insights, tips and strategies on mental health with you. You can find me at @justinegordontherapy on Instagram.
