About John Loppnow
Finding My Why
All relationships are built on learnable skills.
I wrote that line to my mentor over 10 years ago and he encouraged me to put a date on it and make it my email signature. I’m glad he did because that line has spurred on many quality conversations as I deeply believe this with my whole heart and mind and body.
I have been working as a Psychotherapist and Life Coach for over 20 years, believing that every single person can learn, grow and heal towards a more successful and fruitful life in all areas of their life.
I enjoy being able to make someone feel comfortable enough to share things they never shared starting in high school and continuing to this day. My inspiration deepened when I participated in my own therapy with my family when my parents were going through a divorce. This enabled me to see what was possible in a short time to equip people with skills and self-reflection in the presence of compassion and kindness.
I live with the passion to help people learn practical skills to strengthen their relationships, whether it be marriage, dating, parenting, friendships, or within the workplace. I want people to know Hope is available to you today.
Launch
While my parents are not therapists, they have done a lot of learning and growth personally and relationally. Seeing them face their challenges with courage inspired me to deepen my training and knowledge so that I can effectively equip others to experience healing and strength from within.
Growing up watching my dad start and grow successful (as well as unsuccessful) businesses lead me into the corporate world working for Aflac for a few years before I entered my graduate training to become an MFT. I understand the challenges successful (as well as struggling) businessmen and women experience while they seek to build their businesses and family at the same time.
Learning from others
I’ve always enjoyed learning from and with people from different walks of life. In college and graduate school I had many opportunities to become friends with people from different parts of the country and the world. While in graduate school I met, dated, and eventually married a young lady from South Korea who grew up very differently from me. It is energizing to learn from others and how we uniquely view the world and to grow in strength and wisdom together in our common humanity. Learning is one of our deepest-held values as a couple and a family. My therapy is informed by all my personal and professional learning in community.
My mentors have grown up in Africa, South American, Europe as well as North America. These older and wiser women and men have shaped my perspective in life and made it richer. I look forward to learning from and growing with people who are seeking to become more whole, fruitful, and productive. We are better together.
Integrating the wisdom of the body and learning to pay attention to the signals from our body has enhanced and expedited the healing process. Not only healing, but also increased hope.
Live Music
While I do not play any instruments I love hearing authentically talented musicians in a live concert. Whether it is at a local park nearby, or small concert venue or the Rosebowl, being together with a community of people during a live show is powerful and meaningful. Some wonderful moments have included seeing U2 with my family at The Rosebowl, Prince at the Forum, Gungor at The El Rey, and local bands all over the LA area. A few favorite experiences have been stumbling upon some live performances from a group from Africa at Descanso Gardens and discovering a drum circle at Venice beach. Each moment has been joy-filled, fun, and uplifting. I think that is why I seek them out.
Influences
Healing, hope, and strength come from many varied places in my life and I integrate them into my therapeutic work. This includes my graduate training in Family systems and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) nearly 20 years ago. As a perpetual learner, I have studied PNI (PsychoNeuroImmunology), the mind-body connection, EMDR, Gottman Skills, Thrive Training (Relationship skills based on practice and brain science), and the Enneagram. IFS [Internal Family Systems] provides an excellent framework for healing and understanding ourselves and others.
Dr. Dan Siegel is a huge influence on our understanding of the brain and relationships from the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology (INPB).
For anyone interested in understanding themselves and others I will work with you collaboratively to chart a path forward toward greater wholeness and authentic power to make a meaningful difference in your world.
Approach
It is my intention to give each client enough traction to progress in their healing and capacity for growth. I often use the metaphor of a coach who will offer suggestions during and in between sessions if clients want to be proactive in their growth.
Areas of Focus
Individuals * Enneagram * Internal Family Systems * TIST * Breathwork
Spirituality * Family Therapy * Success Coaching
Anger * Anxiety * Depression
Couples Therapy