Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Encino, CA

Life challenges can push us forward or, when too much, weaken our mind, body and soul. Feelings of anxiety, depression, anger or just feeling overwhelmed are common signs of a life out of balance. At these times therapy can help. Together we can look at what is burdening you and what is holding you back from engaging more fully and happily in your life. Through compassion and understanding you can discover ways to build a life reflecting your values, hopes and desires. In therapy you can learn skills that you were never provided.

Looking for the right therapist can be a very difficult process. My therapeutic approach is client-centered and strengths-based. I understand how difficult it can be to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences. With this in mind, as your therapist, I will create a safe space that is non-judgmental and supportive.

As a licensed psychologist with over twenty-five years of professional experience, I work collaboratively with individuals helping them overcome challenges in life which can quickly spiral into depression or anxiety. I am real and direct as a professional, maintaining a calm and helpful stance, offering practical interventions individuals can use in every day life as well as to process the impact of early childhood issues. My areas of specialization are trauma and anxiety disorders, as well as depression and disorders of childhood/adolescence. I work with children and adults individually as well as in family sessions.

Seeking help might elicit conflicting emotions. Taking the first step to seek help requires a great deal of courage and confidence. I am passionate about promoting well-being, and empowering and encouraging individuals to be whole versions of themselves. I am a bilingual Associate Clinical Social Worker in California, supervised by Janet Bayramyan, LCSW 88575. As a trauma -informed therapist, I assist individuals in confronting previous traumas, discovering coping skills, and bringing healing change to the present. I am dedicated to assisting individuals in identifying strategies to enhance communication, establish healthy

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I utilize a compassionate and eclectic approach while offering a safe healing space to create healthy changes towards a life deserved for you and your family. My goal is to help my clients develop insight, awareness, and grace so they can create the lasting changes wanted in their lives. I treat a wide range of mental health concerns, including trauma / PTSD , anxiety, stress, mood disorders, depression, life transition, adolescent and childhood acting out behaviors, LGBTQ+ally. I also have extensive training as a family consultant working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum.

Do you continue to feel stuck no matter where you turn? Are you craving for a sense of relief in your life? Sometimes we don't recognize the underlying reasons for our experiences. Each individual has their own way of coping through their day to day life. I understand the first step towards the healing process is support. We heal better when we know we don’t have to walk through hardships alone.

Early relationships shape the way the mind and brain develop from our young years into our adult lives. Our connections with caregivers induce neural circuit firings that persist throughout our lives, shaping how we think, feel, remember, and behave. When we are lucky enough to have secure attachment experiences in which we feel seen, safe, soothed, and secure—the “four S’s of attachment” that serve as the foundation for a healthy mind—these relational experiences stimulate the neuronal activation and growth of the integrative fibers of the brain.

Using a resiliency-focused approach, it doesn’t have to be an ordeal to heal. In fact, neuroscience has shown this is not the best way to work on oneself. Rather, focusing on regulating the nervous system using simple wellness skills and education about the brain and body connection can pave the way toward increased daily well-being as well as lay groundwork for resolving trauma . We can't always prevent stressors, and many of us have been through challenges or traumas in childhood that make it difficult to weather life's changes. Together, we will co-create the best course of treatment to help you live more fully in each moment.

I have over a decade of working in a variety of settings, including clinics, schools, home based, and in the community. I have extensive experience working with individuals, adolescents, children and families who desire to enrich their lives through the personal relationships they have with themselves and others. My specialties include working with children under 5, young children with complex trauma , parenting support, and social skills building. I recognize that it is difficult to seek help for yourself or your family and I applaud you in taking the first step.

My passion is in helping clients to feel empowered, capable, compassionate, and connected to self and others. I believe that humans are born accepting ourselves, “asking” for our needs to be met, and craving social connection. But life happens and we can lose that deep, felt-sense knowing that we are lovable, deserving, competent, and enough as we are. I help clients work through past experiences that may still have a hold on the present. And while working through these barriers, I (gently) push clients to take daily steps in the direction of their goals and values!

Do you notice a disconnect lingering between your child and others… maybe even you? Do you struggle to understand why your child is acting out of character or doing things they shouldn’t be doing? Are you finding it difficult to be there for them in ways that are helpful? Negative thoughts and emotions can be experienced from any age, including times that don’t always make sense to many adults and parents. Sometimes the best of intentions can come across as invalidating or belittling, which can result in anxiety, depression, or even trauma .

I am an eclectic therapist, meaning I do not subscribe to any one therapeutic modality as I believe the therapeutic process is fluid and as a clinician, I must be the same. I help you manage depression, anxiety, ADHD, adjustment disorder, grief/loss, PTSD , bipolar disorder, personality disorders, children and adolescents navigating the difficulties of adjusting to parent's divorcing and behavioral issues such as oppositional defiance and conduct issues. In an effort to meet my clients where they are, I will take the time needed to examine, with you, the core issues surrounding the problem and assist in developing solutions from that ground work.

I specialize in the evidence-based treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Trauma , Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ), and Chronic Pain.  I am trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches.

I believe in creating a safe and nurturing environment by providing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and a genuine approach in the treatment process. I utilize a variety of treatment modalities in order to meet each individuals unique needs. During my work in the past 13 years, I have been trained to treat trauma , anxiety, depression, relational/intimacy issues, and grief. I also integrate mindfulness meditation, CBT, healthy living practices and family systems techniques as a strategy to facilitate growth, healing, and balance. When we are able to rise out of our suffering, we can then begin the process of self-awakening.

Everyone can enjoy a satisfying life of love, work and play. However, we may find ourselves in personal patterns, relationships, or with life issues that keep us from living to our fullest. Though circumstances and illness are difficult, our manner of dealing with them determines whether we are happy or sad, engaged or depressed, relaxed or anxious, and even feeling physically unwell or healthy. Trauma and poor coping are often related to our past desperate attempts to take care of ourselves in difficult situations. Through a passionate, humor-filled, authentic journey we can seek to understand and change your life.

I specialize in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and trauma (childhood trauma , such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect, and adult trauma such as abuse, rape, accidents, and natural disasters), including all trauma -related conditions, such as PTSD , eating disorders, substance abuse, and cutting. I also specialize in separation and divorce, including negotiating and managing child custody arrangements. My 20-years of experience as a practicing attorney inform my work with clients who are separating/divorcing and clients involved with the legal system in any way (lawyers, litigants, or trauma victims).