Therapists in Pacific Palisades, CA

Specialty areas: Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and bipolar disorder, anxiety/panic, grief and loss, addiction, relationship issues including premarital counseling. Works with individuals 13 and up, couples, family therapy. Special training in DBT, motivational interviewing. Utilizes CBT, solution-focused, family systems, psychodynamic. Bilingual: Farsi.

I work with women facing challenges with anxiety, depression, trauma, including PTSD, postpartum stress and intimate partner violence. I also work with couples to improve communication, relationship setback, and challenges around infertility and perinatal mental health. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to set goals and tailor each treatment to meet their specific need.

If you feel like nothing makes you happy, no one understands you, and reaching your true potential is an impossible task, I’m here to help. I will give my absolute best so that we together can solve your dilemmas—however small or encompassing. I am an English and Farsi bilingual California-licensed therapist with eight years of extensive professional experience. I have a Doctorate (PsyD) in Marriage and Family Therapy.

The privilege of working with clients is the way each individual strength and barrier is presented in a session. An ideal client is one who is open to the therapeutic process and recognizes the art of healing through time, directed interventions and collaboration. Therapy and the therapist are tools, meant to magnify your process and highlight the route in feeling cared for and attended to with me. I do not require the "perfect" client, I seek the curious wonderment that recognizes the wisdom in their pain but open to the hope in their heart.

I enjoy showing you your own divine potential as fully loving and successful beings. I will gently but directly encourage you to identify themes and patterns in your life that are no longer working for you. By gaining awareness you can explore new ways of being, thinking, and behaving. You’ll be able to reach and maintain the fulfilling life that you want and deserve to have. I will help you make peace with your past, gain insight, cultivate your inner strength, and overcome your challenges in dealing with daily stressors, childhood traumas, relationship issues, or emotional exhaustion. Together we can turn your wounds into wisdom.

I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working in private practice. I am also the clinical supervisor of various therapists working throughout Los Angeles. I practice psychotherapy in English, Farsi and French. I received my Bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and my Master’s degree in Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy from Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. I work with teens, adults, couples and families. I see patients who have a variety of concerns including; relationship conflict, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder.

I specialize in working with preteens, teens, young adults, adult individuals and couples. Many of the feelings, wishes, and concerns that motivate our thinking and behavior are housed in the furthest corners of the psyche, away from awareness. It is no wonder that changing long-standing patterns, even if we know how beneficial this change can be, presents a challenge. As a therapist, I help explore the origin and function of the rigid internal mechanisms that inhibit personal growth. Together, we will uncover past experiences and hidden motivations, trace their impact on the present, and explore ways to move beyond the limitations.

If you've made it this far - I want to congratulate you! It takes a lot of courage to seek out help from a friend, a relative or even a therapist. It is an intimidating task, but you are on your way! This process of change can be daunting and very frightening. As a therapist, I work with you as you venture on this new path. I work with individuals, couples, families and young adults in addressing their concerns from childhood trauma to depression, and anxiety. We will work to understand your current coping mechanism and decide if healthier options are available.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."- Kierkegaard. Are you feeling stuck and unable to move forward from unhealthy behaviors, maladaptive patterns, negative thoughts and feelings, anxiety or stress? Do you wish your life was more fulfilling, better or different than it is but struggle to make a change? I understand how scary and challenging it can be to take that first step. However, I also believe that achieving an adequate, satisfying, and productive life with the right support is possible. Together we can explore the underlying reasons that are holding you back and identify new ways of coping.

My work enables the client to become aware of emotions and resources as they learn techniques for self-management, communication & resourcefulness. Building emotional resilience is key towards achieving a balanced life. I work with the conscious & subconscious mind, while helping gain self-awareness to understand that self-limiting behaviors are caused by thoughts, feelings & beliefs of which you may be unaware. I help build awareness & empowerment during your journey. The motivations and process of therapy are unique to each individual. My practice includes work with individuals, couples, families, children, geriatrics, & groups.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your path forward? Have you been seeking a deeper understanding of your own story and how it shapes your present and future? I prioritize understanding your unique narrative – what brings you here today, the echoes of your past experiences, and the hurdles you face in the present. Together, we explore your challenges and aspirations, seeking healing within the fabric of your relationships. Your journey toward meaning and growth begins here.

Are you struggling with dating? Do you find yourself repeating the same patterns in your relationships that don't seem to work? Is it getting hard to manage all the elements of your life? Sometimes life can be overwhelming and hard to manage.

Before your day starts, your heart and mind are already racing, your back and neck feel tense, and your stomach feels queasy. You have this feeling that you are stuck and not sure how to get out of this situation. You think to yourself, “What is happening to my life? Why do I feel this way?” Worry, fear, avoidance, racing heart and negative thoughts. In other words, Anxiety!!! It’s taking up all your energy and controlling your thoughts, emotions, and body. It feels like the anxiety is running your life.

Whether you feel stuck in your relationship/s, experiencing stress and anxiety, feeling sad, struggling with your partner and/or parenting raising a child with ADHD, we can work together and identify the source of what brought you in to therapy, identify your goals, and explore best possible solutions that will help you feel successful. I creatively integrate a relational model and scientifically proven cognitive behavior techniques which will allow clients gain insight and acquire tools for a positive change in their lives. Together we can find your true growth potential so you can lead a fulfilling life that is worth celebrating.

Are you feeling disconnected from life's flow, noticing your usual coping methods falling short? It's a common journey, and you've taken the brave step to seek support. Here, you're in a safe haven, where your thoughts are welcomed without judgment. Let's work together to unlock your inner resilience and equip you with new tools for life's hurdles. You deserve a compassionate guide on your path to renewed empowerment. Let's embark on this journey together.

I'M NOT good enough, I'M NOT lovable, & I'M not WORTHY! Sound familiar? Does it look "PERFECT" on the outside but you struggle internally? Does something feel off even though it seems life is all together? We live in a fast-paced world. The expectation is for us to have everything together: the perfect relationship, job, home, friends, body, high self-esteem, and social media life. - - - - - - - - - - - - The reality is, we have real emotions, feelings, and life challenges. Even the strongest of us need some support in forcing our inner self-sabotaging critic to sashay away. Together, let's create the life you've always wanted.

I received my degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Multicultural Communications from Alliant International University. For the last 10 years, I have been a licensed Clinical Psychologist, trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Systemic Therapy. I have treated clients in various clinical settings, including community mental health clinics and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. In addition, I am a full Professor of Psychology and previously served as the Director of the MFT program at MSMU, where I teach a variety of courses. My specialties in therapy include bisexuality, nonmonogamous relationships, and relationshi