Dr. Cara Gardenswartz - Group Therapy LA
310-893-0096
[email protected]
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Dr. Cara Gardenswartz
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Dr. Cara Gardenswartz

I am a dedicated psychologist specializing in individual, couples, and group therapy, with extensive experience in both clinical practice and academia. As the Founder and Director of GroupTherapyLA and GroupTherapyNY, I lead a team of highly skilled therapists committed to providing exceptional mental health care. I work with individuals and couples and also run several interpersonal process therapy groups. My areas of expertise include: relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, codependency, divorce, grief, life transitions, autism, and maternal mental health.

With a strong academic background from the University of California, Los Angeles (PhD) and the University of Pennsylvania (BA), I bring a robust understanding of psychological principles to my practice. My roles extend beyond clinical work to include teaching as a Professor of Psychology, and offering insights as a Media and Executive Consultant. I am actively involved in the community through my positions on the Board of Directors for WebLife and Medical Missions Kenya, where I contribute to impactful mental health initiatives. I am also on the advisory board for PEERS, a social skills program for young people at UCLA.

Masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology

Bachelor Arts in Clinical Psychology



Clinical Experience

  • The Saturday Center for Psychotherapy, Santa Monica, CA
  • St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital (Teaching Hospital for Columbia University Medical School)
  • AIDS Project Los Angeles: Pacific Center, CA
  • UCLA’s Student Psychological Services, Los Angeles, CA
  • Veteran’s Administration, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program, West Los Angeles, CA
  • Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Services, Inglewood, CA
  • UCLA Psychology Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
  • Neighborhood Youth Association, Mar Vista, CA
  • Long-Island Jewish Hospital, Adolescent Inpatient Unit, Queens, NY

Teaching Experience

  • Professor of Abnormal Psychology (Lecturer), Department of Psychology, UCLA
  • Clinical Supervisor, UCLA Psychology Clinic
  • Teaching Assistant Positions, UCLA: Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Fieldwork in Psychology
  • Alumni Mentor, Department of Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office, UCLA
  • Clinical Supervisor, GTLA

Advisory Boards

MEDICAL MISSIONS KENYA

MMK’s Medical missions provide a comprehensive continuum of health services aimed at promoting the well being of people in underdeveloped remote villages. Volunteer groups of nurses, pharmacists and doctors provide diagnosis and treatment; establish partnerships and training with local community health care workers; conduct community medical and wellness training; and foster principles of preventative health.

UCLA PEERS ® CLINIC

PEERS® is a manualized, social skills training intervention for youth with social challenges. It has a strong evidence-base for use with adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It also addresses social issues for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other socioemotional problems. UCLA PEERS groups include PEERS for Adolescents, PEERS for Young Adults & PEERS for Preschool preschoolers. UCLA PEERS is currently piloting PEERS for Dating, & PEERS for Careers.