DR. DUSTIN PLATTNER is Private Membership Association (PMA) created to provide a safe and supportive environment where children, adolescents, and parents have the opportunity to grow and thrive in their psychological health.
Dustin Plattner, Psy.D. is the Founder and Trustee of DR. DUSTIN PLATTNER.
A PMA is a private way to organize a group of people who wish to freely associate together under a common purpose for the betterment of each other and the community. Our official declaration can be found here.
The best thing about our PMA is that we stand under the common Guiding Principle of The Golden Rule, which governs the association. We love The Golden Rule and, as such, we outline it more specifically in our Guiding Principle page.
About Dustin Plattner, Psy.D. - Founder and Trustee
Holding a doctoral degree in clinical psychology with advanced post‑doctoral training in child and adolescent psychoanalysis, Dr. Dustin Plattner brings a decade of focused clinical experience to families all over the world. He combines rigorous training with a compassionate, developmentally attuned approach to help children, adolescents, parents, and couples move from suffering to sustainable growth.
With children and adolescents, Dr. Plattner carefully assesses how an individual’s inner world and family environment are supporting—or impeding—the healthy development of mind and personality. He practices psychoanalytic play therapy with young children and relational psychodynamic therapy with adolescents to:
Foster emotional awareness and verbal expression
Clarify needs and teach adaptive ways to meet them
Strengthen communication, self‑regulation, and behavioral skills
Therapy with young paitents occurs alongside active partnership with parents. Dr. Plattner coaches caregivers in targeted parenting strategies, co‑creates a clear, practical game plan for the child, and equips families with the knowledge and tools they need to support lasting change. As children and adolescents acquire new emotional and interpersonal skills, problematic behaviors decrease and family functioning improves.
In his work with adults and couples, Dr. Plattner explores the internal dynamics and relational patterns that undermine psychological health. Many difficulties trace back to painful relational experiences across development and adulthood; by helping clients reinterpret those experiences in safer, more adaptive ways, he reduces suffering and opens pathways to emotional resilience and relational repair.
Why choose Dr. Plattner:
Advanced clinical and psychoanalytic training specific to children and adolescents
Ten years of therapeutic practice with families, youth, and adults
A collaborative, skill‑building model that empowers both clients and parents
Focus on measurable growth in emotional intelligence, communication, and behavior
Dr. Plattner provides a refined, compassionate therapeutic presence and practical guidance that helps individuals and families move from distress to renewed connection and competence.
Dr. Plattner holds a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) ('12), a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology (M.A.) ('09), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology (B.A.) ('06).
Dr. Plattner also received a one year advanced child psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy certificate ('19) from the Psychoanalytic Center of California.
Dr. Plattner is past president of the San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association (SGVPA) for 2017 and 2018.
He received his graduate degrees in clinical psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology and his undergraduate degree from Southeastern Bible College. In his final internship, he worked with gang involved, substance dependent teenagers in the San Fernando Valley.