Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today

9 Endorsed

1150 Yale St, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Photo of Tara Vatankhah, Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Life’s natural ebb and flow can leave us feeling disconnected, lost, or unsure of our path. Therapy offers a space to make sense of it all—to reconnect, realign, and gently put the pieces back together. I believe our pain can become a portal to wisdom when we choose to work through it. My approach is grounded in the belief that you already hold the answers—you may just need support reconnecting with your inner compass. Drawing from IFS, mindfulness, somatic practices, narrative therapy, CBT, and family systems, I’ll walk alongside you as you create a more fulfilling and connected life.

I specialize in relationship issues, self-worth, life transitions, and female mental health. I use parts work (IFS) to support deeper integration and healing. I work with teens and young adults navigating big life changes, and support couples working through conflict and attachment wounds. My style is collaborative, intuitive, and strength-based.

I offer a warm, grounded space where you can heal from past wounds, reconnect with your true self, and begin writing a new chapter—one rooted in clarity, self-trust, and purpose. Therapy isn’t just about healing; it’s about expansion, embodiment, and becoming. I invite you to reach out for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit.

Call or Email Tara Vatankhah now for a free 15 minute consultation - (213) 376-3065

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

1150 Yale St

Santa Monica, CA 90403 map

(213) 376-3065

Los Angeles, CA 90049

I provide therapy in Santa Monica for individuals & couples navigating relationship issues, anxiety, depression, self-worth, burnout, grief.

I specialize in Relationship Issues, Self Esteem and Depression

$220 Per Session

I see individuals and couples

Let's Connect (213) 376-3065

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

1150 Yale St

Santa Monica, CA 90403 map

(213) 376-3065

Los Angeles, CA 90049

I provide therapy in Santa Monica for individuals & couples navigating relationship issues, anxiety, depression, self-worth, burnout, grief.

I specialize in Relationship Issues, Self Esteem and Depression

$220 Per Session

I see individuals and couples

Finances

Fees

Individual Sessions $220
Couple Sessions $220
Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible

Payment Methods

American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Venmo, Visa

Insurance

Out of Network

My session fee is $220. I'm an out-of-network Santa Monica therapist and can provide superbills for reimbursement. I offer limited sliding scale spots. Therapy is an investment, and I'll work with you to make it sustainable and supportive of your growth.

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Qualifications

Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of California / 146502 Tara Vatankhah

Education and Years In Practice

In Practice for 6 years

Attended University of Southern California, Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy, Graduated 2020

Additional Credentials

Certificate from IFS level 1 through IFS Institute

Certificate from 200-Hour Yoga Teacher

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master's from USC, certified yoga teacher (RYT), and trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) through the IFS Institute. I offer therapy in Santa Monica for relationship anxiety, perfectionism, codependency, self-doubt, & life transitions.

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Depression

Expertise

Anger Management
Anxiety
Body Positivity
Codependency
Divorce
Eating Disorders
Family Conflict
Grief
Infertility
Infidelity
Life Transitions
Marital and Premarital
Men's Issues
Narcissistic Personality (NPD)
Open Relationships Non-Monogamy
Parenting
Peer Relationships
Spirituality
Stress
Substance Use
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues

I support young adults, college students, & teens navigating relationship problems, dating, friend breakups, people pleasing, grief, and perfectionism. I work well with fellow therapists and those exploring codependency, limiting beliefs, mindfulness, and IFS parts work. Together, we'll build clarity, confidence, emotional resilience, and mental health.

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

9 Endorsements

Sunshine Harding

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW

Tara is one of the best. Her calm demeanor allows for clients to feel safe and can share honestly. I would recommend Tara to anyone who is looking for a therapist who cares deeply for her clients.

Tova Harkham

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT

Tara is an incredible listener and holds space for individuals with compassion and empathy. She is insightful, wise, and a gift to others in need of support.

Ida Farzaneh

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA

Tara is an outstanding therapist with rich knowledge who helps clients deepen their understanding of themselves to feel empowered. Her empathetic approach and dedication to her clients' growth make her a highly effective and trusted professional.

Joshua L Davis

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT

Darcy Clark

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT

Aute Porter

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT

Kim Brounstein

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA

I love how no matter what problems or challenges arise, Tara has a tool to bring to the table to address it head on. She has a respect for the therapeutic process, and it shows in her work. Tara is always impeccably in-step and in-tune with her clients.

Elyse Jung-Vrymoed

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC

Tara works gently but tenaciously to support clients in getting to know themselves and who they want to welcome into their lives. She kindly and patiently helps young adults step into themselves and step into fulfilling relationships.

Tal Ginsburg

Pre-Licensed Professional, PsyD

Tara's warmth is one of her greatest strengths, and allows her client's to feel at ease in her presence. She is deeply curious, and has a profound ability to see the strengths of her clients, that helps them build self-awareness and self-confidence.

Client Focus

Age

Teen ,

Adults

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied

Age

Teen ,

Adults

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

Attachment-based
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Emotionally Focused
Existential
Family / Marital
Family Systems
Feminist
Gestalt
Humanistic
Imago
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Jungian
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Multicultural
Narrative
Person-Centered
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Somatic
Strength-Based
Trauma Focused

I use Internal Family Systems (IFS), narrative therapy, somatic practices, mindfulness, and CBT to help you connect with your emotions and uncover the roots of what's keeping you stuck. Our work is collaborative, intuitive, and grounding - supporting insight, nervous system regulation, and long-term emotional healing.

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 376-3065

Location

Primary Location

1150 Yale St

Santa Monica, CA 90403

(213) 376-3065

Email me

Additional Location

Los Angeles, CA 90049

(213) 376-3065

Nearby Areas

Cities

Counties

Los Angeles

Zips

Neighborhoods

I provide therapy in Santa Monica for individuals & couples navigating relationship issues, anxiety, depression, self-worth, burnout, grief.

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call for a free consultation now - (213) 376-3065

I provide therapy in Santa Monica for individuals & couples navigating relationship issues, anxiety, depression, self-worth, burnout, grief.

Tara Vatankhah

Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT

Call for a free consultation now - (213) 376-3065