About Margaret Sigel, LMFT, SEP
I'm a therapist in private practice in Santa Monica. My practice is by appointment, built for people whose lives don't leave much room for falling apart.
Most of my clients carry significant responsibility, in their careers, their families, or both. They operate in environments where performance is assumed and struggle stays invisible. They don't need a therapist who's impressed by their success. They need one who understands what it costs.
How I Work
Sessions are collaborative. We pay close attention to what's happening beneath the surface, make sense of patterns that have been running on autopilot, and build skills you'll use between sessions. The work is precise because that's how lasting change happens. You'll feel the difference in how you handle stress, relationships, and your responses.
My approach is grounded in Somatic Experiencing and attachment-focused therapy. We calibrate the work so it feels safe and sustainable. You're always in control of the pace.
Why This Work Matters To Me
Before becoming a therapist, I spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry. Development, production, the works. It was creative and fast-paced, and I saw firsthand how constant pressure erodes people from the inside out. Talented, driven people who looked like they had it all together, quietly falling apart.
That experience shaped everything about who I work with now. I understand the cost of high performance because I lived in that world. And I know that insight alone doesn't fix what the body is carrying.
Read more about me in ShoutOut LA and Voyage LA.
Training and Influences
My work draws on Somatic Experiencing®, developed by Dr. Peter Levine. I've completed the full three-year certificate program and continue to study with Dr. Levine. I'm approved by SE International to assist in beginning practitioner training. My ongoing study integrates contemporary neuroscience, trauma research, and attachment theory.
I am a California LMFT and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
Credentials
Licensure
California LMFT #150926
Certificate
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Education
M.A., Clinical Psychology (MFT) — Pepperdine University
B.A., English — UCLA
Professional membership
CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
What to Expect
We start by clarifying what you want more of and what gets in the way. Weekly sessions build momentum. We pair conversation with simple regulation practices, check progress regularly, and adjust as we go.
This is not open-ended processing. We work toward something.
Fit and Access
I am a private-pay practice. As a courtesy, I can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement. If a different fee or specialty would serve you better, I’m glad to offer referrals.
In person: 720 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 204, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Online: secure video for California residents
Ready to Begin?
If something here resonates, I'd be glad to hear from you.