Feeling enough as you are can be hard.

In seeking to find my space in the world, my own story consisted of struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, and both non-work and work-related burnout.

I became familiar with the endless battle of attempting to feel good enough, until I sought inner peace and relief. It hasn’t been an easy journey, and I know there’s still room for growth and healing. My healing process consisted of seeking my own personal therapy, as I learned where my struggles with anxiety and perfectionism came from, by exploring my past. Diving into my past came with a mixture of feelings and pain, but I began to feel a sense of relief from the unpleasant emotions that had been weighing so heavily on me. I gained a sense of empowerment as I began to create the life that I wanted to live, rather than what I thought would make everyone else around me happy. I began to feel more fulfilled in my relationships, and restored my passion and joy in the work that I love doing.

I’m grateful to all those that journeyed alongside me and supported me in more fully embracing myself. I appreciate your courage that brought you here, as you seek to take the next steps towards achieving greater confidence and feeling enough as your are.

What is therapy like with me?

  • Therapy with me is relational. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of human connection, and that you can experience healing when you share your story within the safe presence of another. This is the space that I seek to provide you in our sessions so that you can be truly seen and heard, as you are.

  • Therapy with me is a safe process. I’ve been told by my clients that I have a comforting presence and that I’m easy to talk to and open up to. My loved ones describe me as having a nurturing and “motherly” energy. I believe that having a sense of safety is critical in your therapy journey. Safety allows for deeper exploration of your struggles and can provide you with a sense of direction in overcoming your struggles.

  • Therapy with me aims for healing that lasts. Clients that seek therapy with me tend to understand that counseling with me isn’t a “quick fix”. Therapy is a process that requires commitment, in depth exploration, and vulnerability; with that, healing and positive change are more likely to occur. Studies have shown that clients seeking short-term or brief therapy (2-4 months) experience less meaningful change and were less effective in resolving their struggles than individuals in therapy for 6 months to 1+ years. Together we will help you recognize the anxiety and pain that’s been hidden for so long in order to heal and transform. We will work to understand your emotions creating distress for you, what is the cause of those feelings, and how to gain relief from them.

  • Therapy with me is about realness and authenticity. I’ll be real with you in therapy. Sometimes I may share a small bit about myself when I feel it’s helpful for your process. I’ll laugh along with you at jokes we make or at the silly parts of life. I’ll shed a tear with you at times or convey my emotions when I’m deeply moved. I’ll offer warmth and compassion while being directive and challenging during the supportive process in our work together. We’ll have “lighter sessions” when it feels too hard to “dig deeper” on some days, and I’ll check in with you from time-to-time to make sure you’re getting the care you need. I’m in this with you.

How I can Help:

  • Figure out what you need in counseling. We will identify what struggles feel the most pressing and how you’d like life to look like if you were free from those struggles. We will check in from time-to-time during the course of counseling to make sure we’re on the right track towards fulfilling your goals in therapy.

  • Understand the root causes of your struggles - whether it’d be struggles with anxiety, imposter syndrome, burnout, perfectionism, relationship distress, depression, or all of the above.

  • Explore the impacts of the past on the present. The messages we have about ourselves can usually be a result of past experiences we’ve had. Maybe it was “toxic work place” that left you thinking we were incompetent. Or that time we you were bullied, which made you feel insecure about your looks or personality. Knowing where your internal dialogue comes from is essential in healing from the past and creating a different dialogue that makes you feel more confident in yourself.

  • Heal current and past wounds. Sometimes the anxiety, anger, sadness, or fears that we struggle with may be a result of past wounds that haven’t been properly dealt with. I’ve witnessed the positive transformation that occurs when clients have a chance to process the pain from their past. Many have expressed how they needed a safe space to do that, and how they felt relieved from the unpleasant feelings that were weighing them down after they opened up about them with me.

  • Learn to use your feelings to help you. Emotions are like messengers. They serve as an indication of what we need or something that’s missing in our lives. Anxiety can mean we need some reassurance from ourselves and others. Resentment can mean we’ve overextended ourselves and need to set boundaries. Counseling can help you use your emotions to find emotional relief.

  • Be sensitive to the cultural factors that shape you. It’s important to understand the various facets of a person by being sensitive to the relevant cultural, societal, and individual factors that shape us. I take a collaborative stance in understanding how various parts of your identity are interwoven and how those parts influence your story, your beliefs, and your needs.

Services

Psychotherapy in Burbank, CA and throughout LA county and San Fernando Valley

  • Overcome negative, self-critical thoughts and burn out. Find inner peace as you gain relief from anxiety and feel more confident in yourself and your abilities.

  • Find healing from various struggles through your connection with nature. Outdoor psychotherapy can help you be more in touch with your needs and desires, and feel more emotionally grounded in life.

  • Understand why you’re struggling within your family context. Gain relief from feelings of guilt, resentment, anxiety, and confusion. Rediscover your authentic self, including your needs, life goals, and desires.

A little bit more about me:

  • Received an M.S. in Counseling Psychology (emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy) from California Lutheran University 

  • Specialized education in Trauma-Informed Care

  • Member of California Associate of Marriage and Family Therapists (#137420)..

I'm a daughter to second-generation Persian and Assyrian immigrant parents, a twin sister, a partner, a friend, a nature lover, an artist, and a published author. I love spending time outdoors traveling, hiking, and meditating. I also enjoy blowing off some steam with some kickboxing and Krav Maga self-defense in my free time.

Featured In:

Getting to speak with Coach Mary Medley about how to tackle the Imposter Syndrome was a valuable and insightful experience! I enjoyed getting to share about my struggle with healing and moving past my fears, and sharing helpful tips on how to manage perfectionism and burnout. Tune in on YouTube to listen to our interview that was part of the wonderful 18 day virtual summit on the Imposter Syndrome.

The Lead with Levity Podcast with Dr. Heather Walker - "Suffering in Silence: Addressing Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace". Dr. Heather Walker and I speak about the impacts of the imposter syndrome in the workplace. I share highlights of my Imposter Syndrome Workbook, including helpful tips to break free from the negative self-talk and find your worth beyond your accomplishments. 

Tune into the episode on Lead with Levity or on Spotify today!