Photo of Zak Kozlow Poyo, Counselor in 90046, CA
Zak Kozlow Poyo
Counselor, LPCC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Los Angeles, CA 90046
I am a Somatic Psychotherapist living and working in Los Angeles, California. I specialize in the mind-body connection. I have spent a majority of my career working to understand how it is that the mind-body connection is influenced by our development, by our world and by ourselves. When we look at our connection to ourselves, it give us vital information for healing and change. The work that I do with my clients breaks old destructive patterns and leads the way to healing deep seeded emotional injuries.
I am a Somatic Psychotherapist living and working in Los Angeles, California. I specialize in the mind-body connection. I have spent a majority of my career working to understand how it is that the mind-body connection is influenced by our development, by our world and by ourselves. When we look at our connection to ourselves, it give us vital information for healing and change. The work that I do with my clients breaks old destructive patterns and leads the way to healing deep seeded emotional injuries.
(323) 546-3432 View (323) 546-3432
Photo of Kunya Desjardins, Psychologist in 90046, CA
Kunya Desjardins
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Would you like to let go of concerns about your weight and body image? Is emotional eating one of your primary coping mechanisms? Many women, across the life span, struggle with issues around food, their bodies, and self confidence. Stress, all-or-nothing thinking, and perfectionism, among other issues, can all get in the way of living more fully. I work holistically with women, as I believe that all aspects of our lives, from sleep and nutrition to relationships or past trauma, are integrally related. We will work together to develop the insight, skills, and tools you'll need to achieve your goals.
Would you like to let go of concerns about your weight and body image? Is emotional eating one of your primary coping mechanisms? Many women, across the life span, struggle with issues around food, their bodies, and self confidence. Stress, all-or-nothing thinking, and perfectionism, among other issues, can all get in the way of living more fully. I work holistically with women, as I believe that all aspects of our lives, from sleep and nutrition to relationships or past trauma, are integrally related. We will work together to develop the insight, skills, and tools you'll need to achieve your goals.
(323) 886-4870 View (323) 886-4870
Adoption Therapists

Does my adopted child need therapy?

Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.

When should adoptive parents seek therapy?

Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.

Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?

Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.

What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?

A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.