Rooted in Community. Committed to Access.
About
Personal Development Institute (PDI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community mental health center located on the west side of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1984 by Ronald Furst, Ph.D., LMFT, PDI has spent four decades dedicated to a simple but powerful belief: that high-quality mental health care should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.​As both a community counseling clinic and a psychotherapist training institute, PDI operates at the intersection of clinical service and professional development. We provide affordable, culturally responsive therapy to individuals and families across Los Angeles County while simultaneously training the next generation of skilled, compassionate clinicians.
Our Mission
PDI exists to close the gap between the mental health services people need and the care they can actually access. We do this by offering low-cost and sliding-scale counseling services delivered by supervised pre-licensed clinicians alongside experienced, licensed therapists. Every client who walks through our doors or connects with us online receives thoughtful, individualized care grounded in evidence-based practice.
Why We Do This Work
The need for affordable mental health care in Los Angeles has never been greater. Long waitlists, high costs, and limited provider availability leave too many people without support during the moments they need it most. PDI was built to address these barriers directly by creating a clinic model where accessibility isn't an afterthought, but the foundation.
What We Provide
1
In-person and Online Sessions
PDI offers both in-person therapy at our west Los Angeles location and telehealth services for clients throughout California. Whether you prefer to meet face-to-face or connect from the comfort of home, our clinical standards, supervision structures, and commitment to personalized care remain the same. This hybrid model allows us to serve our local community while extending our reach to those who might not otherwise have access to affordable, quality mental health support.
2
Training for Emerging Clinicians
Central to PDI's model is our role as a training institute. We provide structured clinical supervision for pre-licensed therapists, offering them the mentorship, real-world experience, and ethical grounding they need to become effective practitioners. This dual mission of serving clients while developing clinicians creates a cycle of impact: every trainee we support goes on to expand access to care in their own communities.
3
Commitment to Partners
PDI welcomes collaboration with academic institutions, community organizations, and healthcare systems that share our commitment to mental health equity. With four decades of experience operating at the nonprofit level, established supervision infrastructure, and a deep understanding of community-based care, we are well-positioned to serve as a clinical training partner for organizations seeking meaningful, mission-aligned internship placements.
Contact Us
If you are an organization interested in partnering with PDI or seeking affordable mental health services, please reach out to us. ​
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
Saturday
​Sunday
8:00 am – 8:00 pm
10 am - 2 pm
Closed