Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Therapists in Playa Vista, CA

I have over 30 years of experience in helping people of all ages with a variety of presenting problems, including depression, anxiety, severe and chronic mental illnesses, etc. I have extensive experience in work with trauma, addictions, and adults from dysfunctional families. I also work with people who have chronic and terminal illnesses and their families, and in accepting losses of all kinds. I welcome children, adolescents, adults and families to experience the benefits of therapy.

Navigating “the new normal” is leaving you stressed out and overwhelmed. You’re used to working hard and making it happen, but these days the game is always changing. I offer individual therapy, couples counseling, and couples therapy retreats using methods based on neuroscience research and proven in the field for 30+ years! I can help you manage your feelings and sort out what’s important to you. I can teach you to communicate with your partner and others in your life in a way that you feel heard and understood. I have helped many people find clarity to make important life decisions. You, too, can get your mojo back and thrive!

I believe therapy is about connection. Therapy is based on the connection with your therapist to create a meaningful, supportive space to explore your most vulnerable emotions. Therapy can help you strengthen your connection with the people in your life in a positive and hopeful way. And most of all, therapy can grow your connection to your most authentic self. Therapy can help guide and support you through times of stress, build communication and interpersonal skills, and develop a deep understanding of who you are and what you want out of life.

I believe that psychotherapy can be a tool to help someone to increase their self-awareness and promote healing and reparation to the life's pain and struggles. If you would like someone on your side to the new journey of rediscovering who you are and who you want to be, that is my goal. To provide support through this new path with the objective that life will unfold with more joy and happiness.

My main goal is for individuals to leave sessions feeling heard and capable of using their newly developed tools to make change. Whether you are coming in to address current stressors, past problems that seem to have a lasting impact, or worries about the future, I am here to help you meet your treatment goals. I work with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples to help manage a wide range of presenting issues. Each individual comes into therapy with their own personal intentions. I hope to provide a space to address your unique needs and aspirations.

There are times in our lives when we may need support in navigating certain life-challenging situations or emotions. If you are struggling to feel connected, unhappy with where you are in life, often feel anxious, and experience relationship challenges; then therapy is an opportunity to take a look at potential patterns that might repeat in your life and make changes. My psychotherapy practice is primarily focused on helping people who are struggling with the effects of trauma, relationship stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and addiction. I can support you in strengthening your sense of self and healing process.

Are you entering a new stage of life, or thinking of making a major change in your life? Are you unclear about the choices available to you? Are you feeling anxious and stressed out about the changes? Marriage, relationship challenges, divorce, graduation, career change, children leaving home, being a caregiver to parents, retirement, death of a spouse, as well as your own aging are all changes that increase stress and can be anxiety producing. It's much easier going through changes when you have an objective professional who can be your ally, trusted advisor, and guide through the process.

High-achieving women often face the challenge of balancing a demanding career with a fulfilling marriage and effective parenting. You need strategies to manage stress, stop endless arguments, prioritize your goals, and feel validated. You deserve to thrive at work, at home, and in your personal life, without sacrificing your dreams and energy. As a mother of three with over 24 years of marriage and 10 plus years of experience, owner of Outside The Norm Counseling, and host of the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast, I am dedicated to helping you build a lasting legacy for your family.

Offering online therapy for prenatal and postpartum women in CA. You thought being a mother would be the happiest time of your life, but you are having some difficulty adjusting to your new role. Trying to conceive, being an expectant mother, or recently giving birth has left you struggling with worries, doubts, sadness, and even guilt. Finding a balance between motherhood, your relationships, and your professional life seems impossible as you’re constantly adjusting to change. You may be finding that problems or issues you’ve faced before are re-surfacing during this life transition. This is common but seldom talked about.

The goal of my practice is to help individuals and families navigate life's stressors using mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments that are supported by research. Whether it is adjusting to a new phase in life, coping with a major health issue, or feeling stuck in unhealthy patterns, I aim to help my clients gain a deeper understanding of their struggles, respond to their experience with compassion, and reduce unhelpful ways of reacting so that they can navigate whatever challenges arise.

I help clients come to terms with their past, heal, grow, get unstuck, and move forward. You may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, lonely, hopeless, lost, or just "stuck." Still, I know that you can overcome your struggles and begin to live your best life. I help women of all ages and life stages rise up to meet life's many challenges. I help clients overcome their struggles with anxiety, depression, chronic stress, feelings of overwhelm, relationship issues, work challenges, and difficulties staying focused and making important decisions. I'm an active, engaging therapist with a supportive and collaborative approach.

Life can create obstacles and therapy is there to support you with tackling the things that are weighing you down. I create a safe place to process your thoughts/feelings and provide insight around your patterns/behaviors. It can be scary to make changes in life, but the results of facing hard things can be rewarding and empowering. My approach to therapy is strength based, client-centered, & holistically grounded.

Life is full of joy and pain. And now may be a time in your life when pain is felt more strongly; the pain from worry, hurt, loss, failure, disconnection, or unfulfillment. We all have a deep yearning to understand ourselves and be understood, especially during those time. I would love to walk alongside you in this journey as you make sense of your pain and regain your joy.

Your life feels like a broken record. You wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed. Rinse and repeat. You're not sure what you want out of life, and you're starting to wonder if you'll ever be happy. There's always something that needs to be done, and you never seem to have enough time. You're starting to question your worth. You compare yourself to others and wonder why they seem to have it all together. You feel like you're not good enough. You're lonely. You're tired of feeling this way. You want to break the cycle and start living your life to the fullest. But you don't know where to start.

Accepting new clients - teens, romantic partnerships, adults, and families. It can feel really good to finally get help, and yet, it can still be hard to accept that you deserve it. Wherever you are in this process, I’ll meet you there. I encourage you to come as you are - bring your anxiety, dark humor, skepticism, anger, hopelessness, and questions; we'll take a closer look together. With a collaborative and authentic approach, I'll both challenge you and honor your pace. I’m not a fixer, but I draw from evidence-based and trauma-informed care to help you help yourself.

Accepting New Clients! I am a bilingual therapist with a passion for helping individuals and families thrive, my journey informs my approach. I was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, and moved to the States at the age of 17. This unique perspective allows me to bring empathy and understanding to my work as I understand the ebbs and flows of life's transitions; I've been there, I understand! I know that each person's story is different, and I’m here to listen to yours and help you find your way forward. Together, we'll embark on a voyage of self-discovery and transformation—a journey fueled by courage, curiosity, and compassion.

Hi! Whether you’re new to therapy, returning, or trying to find a new therapist that is a better fit for you, you’re going in the right direction! I know that searching for the right fit can feel daunting but it is an important step in the process. If you prioritize compatibility and find someone that you connect with and who you truly believe understands what you’re going through, therapy will feel enjoyable and effective! With that in mind, if you’re looking for an authentic and relatable therapist, we may be a good fit for each other. I am direct, playful and value bringing my genuine personality to the therapeutic relationship.

It's not always easy for us to admit that we want help. As much as we like to think that we can do it all ourselves, everyone needs and deserves to have someone in their corner. No matter the disappointment or the distress, the grief or the frustration, the longing for stability and solace is an innate drive that has lead you to seek support.

Are you satisfied with your life choices? Do you dread Mondays and hate going to work? Is perfectionism draining your creativity? Do you struggle with learning new tasks, feel shame, and then attempt to hide your difficulties? Have you been wondering what other possibilities are out there, yet you feel stuck and unable to move forward?