Justin Mink Psychotherapy

03/07/2026

If your drinking picked up in December…
If you noticed yourself relying on it more during family time…
If you told yourself “I’ll scale it back in January” and haven’t…

You’re not broken… but it’s worth paying attention. Substance use rarely starts as “a problem.” It usually starts as relief.

Relief from stress. Or conflict. Or feelings you don’t really want to sit with.

If alcohol (or anything else) is becoming your primary coping tool, that’s information not shame.

You don’t have to label yourself anything dramatic, you just have to ask: “Is this actually helping me long-term?”

If the answer feels complicated, that’s okay. We can untangle complicated.



Marina Del Rey Therapist | Therapy in West LA | Addiction Therapy

03/01/2026

Today is my sober birthday.

Not because everything dramatically changed overnight. Not because I hit some cinematic rock bottom. But because change is possible.

Recovery isn’t about one big moment. It’s about a series of small decisions, about learning new ways to cope, and about building a life you don’t feel the need to escape from.

That belief — that patterns can shift — is a big part of why I specialize in addiction.

Addiction is often an attempt at relief. Something that worked… until it didn’t. What I’ve seen, both personally and professionally, is this:
People are more capable of change than they think.

If something feels off, that’s information. If you want something different, that’s a starting point.

Grateful for another year. And grateful to work with people who are building their own version of change.

02/24/2026

Here’s something I see a lot with men:
“I’m not depressed. I’m just tired.”
“I’m not anxious. I just think a lot.”
“I’m not stressed. I just need to push through it.”

We’re very good at rebranding discomfort.
A lot of guys were taught that if you’re still functioning, you’re fine. If you’re going to work, showing up for your family, keeping it together — you don’t get to call it a problem. But “high functioning” doesn’t mean “not struggling.”

Therapy isn’t about turning you into someone softer, louder, or more emotional than you want to be. It’s about helping you understand what’s underneath the irritability, the shutdown, the overthinking, or the constant pressure to hold it all together.

You don’t have to be falling apart to look at what’s going on. Sometimes the strongest move is actually slowing down long enough to notice.

02/20/2026

Valentine’s Day can shine a spotlight on our relationships.

Sometimes that spotlight feels warm and affirming. Sometimes it highlights what feels off.

Maybe you felt loved and connected this weekend. Maybe you felt unseen. Maybe you realized you and your partner show love in very different ways.

Noticing that doesn’t mean your relationship is failing. It means you’re paying attention.

We all tend to give love in the ways that feel natural to us. Words. Acts of service. Physical closeness. Thoughtful gestures. When those styles don’t quite match, it can leave both partners feeling confused or stuck, even when the care is there.

The week after Valentine’s Day can be a quiet moment to reflect: How do I tend to express love? How do I feel most cared for? Have we actually talked about that?

Positive relationship patterns are built in small, steady conversations. In curiosity instead of criticism. In learning each other’s language instead of assuming it should be the same.

And if this weekend brought up hard feelings that are lingering, that’s information too. Relationships don’t grow from one perfect day. They grow from ongoing care.

relationship patterns | couples therapy | communication skills | love languages | therapy for couples in California | family and relationship support

02/04/2026

Big news 🎉 I was recently featured in VoyageLA’s Hidden Gems series, where I got to share a bit about my journey, my approach to therapy, and why I do this work in the first place.

Therapy isn’t just for crisis moments. It’s for understanding patterns, reconnecting with yourself and the people you care about, and building tools to move forward.

Some of my favorite conversations in the interview are about how change really happens: not in a day, but in the small, honest moments we choose to show up for.

I’m honored to be part of this series and grateful for the opportunity. Tap the link in bio to check out the full interview and get a little behind‑the‑scenes into my story as a therapist (https://voyagela.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-justin-mink-lcsw-of-mink-psychotherapy)

Couples Therapy Mens Therapy

and it's not to be taken lightly. Take your time, ask lots of questions and give yourself plenty of time to make an informed decision based on what feels right to you. As a Los Angeles based LCSW, I offer both in-person and tele-therapy sessions for individuals and couples.

01/28/2026

You don’t have to wait for a crisis. A lot of couples assume therapy is only for when things are falling apart. But some of the most meaningful progress happens when things aren’t at their worst; just stuck, disconnected, or a little off.

You don’t need a big fight or breaking point to benefit from couples therapy. If you keep having the same conversations without resolution, or feel emotionally distant without knowing why, that’s enough reason to reach out.

Therapy doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you care enough to be intentional.

Want to explore what that could look like? Let’s talk.

NotJustInCrisis TherapyWorks MarinaDelReyTherapist

01/13/2026

Let’s be honest: the holidays can be a lot for relationships.

More time together doesn’t always mean more connection. Add in family dynamics, travel stress, disrupted routines, finances, expectations, and maybe some extra drinking... and suddenly you’re both on edge.

If you’re feeling more distant, reactive, or shut down right now, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean your relationship is broken, either; you might just need a reset.

A few ways to reconnect this week:
💡 Go for a walk together without your phones
💡 Name one thing you appreciated about them over the holidays
💡Ask: “What’s one thing you need more of from me this month?”

Big repairs start with small moments. You don’t have to fix everything overnight, but you do have to show up.
That’s how we get back to each other.

mensmentalhealth gottmanmethod westla therapyforcouples minkpsychotherapy

01/09/2026

Let’s be honest: the holidays can be a lot for relationships.

More time together doesn’t always mean more connection. Add in family dynamics, travel stress, disrupted routines, finances, expectations, and maybe some extra drinking... and suddenly you’re both on edge.

If you’re feeling more distant, reactive, or shut down right now, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean your relationship is broken, either; you might just need a reset.

A few ways to reconnect this week:
💡 Go for a walk together without your phones
💡 Name one thing you appreciated about them over the holidays
💡Ask: “What’s one thing you need more of from me this month?”

Big repairs start with small moments. You don’t have to fix everything overnight, but you do have to show up.
That’s how we get back to each other.

mensmentalhealth gottmanmethod westla therapyforcouples minkpsychotherapy

11/04/2025

Ever wish therapy felt less… sit-across-from-someone-and-stare-at-a-box-of-tissues?

Walk & Talk Therapy is exactly what it sounds like:
 
You and your therapist, walking and talking. Side by side. Outside. No couch. No pressure. Just fresh air and forward motion (literally). 

Why it works:
🍂 You’re not stuck across from someone staring at you
🍂 Moving your body can help move your thoughts
 🍂 Nature calms your nervous system
 🍂 Let’s be real: walking just makes it easier to talk

I’m now offering Walk & Talk Therapy sessions; if you’re curious, the latest blog post breaks down how it works and what to expect.
 

10/11/2025

Change your view. Change your you. Sometimes, it’s just our perspective that can change how we view and experience life.

09/30/2025

09/03/2025

You crawl into bed and immediately turn toward your separate screens.

You’re talking…but mostly about errands.
You’re together…but it doesn’t feel like it.
Sound familiar?

Disconnection rarely arrives with a bang. It slips in quietly, especially after a chaotic summer. If you’re feeling just a little off, you’re not alone. And it’s not too late to re-center.

This is your reminder: Fall doesn’t have to start with a fall in your connection. Take a beat. Look each other in the eye. Ask: How are we doing, really?