Licensed to practice in California and accepts 1 insurance. Specializes in Anxiety, Life Transitions, Self Esteem and 6 more.
Dr. Tiona Sykes
(she/her)
About me
Hi, I’m Dr. Tiona Sykes (Dr. T), a Black woman therapist, LMFT, and PsyD‑trained clinician. I specialize in supporting high‑functioning women, men, and gender‑expansive individuals who are navigating anxiety, identity confusion, faith‑based challenges, relational stress, and major life transitions. My clients are thoughtful, capable people who carry a lot internally while still showing up for everyone else — and they’re ready for therapy that helps them feel more grounded, clear, and connected to themselves. I work especially well with faith‑centered adults (Christian men and women navigating the nuances of spirituality, sex, trauma, and family expectations) and therapists/clinicians (graduate students, associates, and licensed providers seeking emotionally attuned, identity‑focused support). These clients often need a therapist who understands both the emotional load they carry and the complexity of their internal world. My approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply attuned. I blend evidence‑based tools with identity‑centered work, helping you understand what’s happening beneath the surface so you can make meaningful shifts in your relationships, boundaries, and emotional world. Many clients begin feeling relief within 6–10 sessions, and others choose to continue longer depending on their goals. If you’re looking for therapy that is supportive, clarifying, and designed to help you feel better sooner rather than later, you’re in the right place.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is spacious and grounding. We’ll explore what’s bringing you in, what you’ve been carrying, and what you want to shift. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to understand your story, your strengths, and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with: * a clearer understanding of what’s happening internally * insight into the parts of you that feel overwhelmed or protective * a values‑aligned direction for our work * initial tools to help you feel more regulated and supported My goal is for you to feel safe, seen, and understood from the very beginning.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My approach is both warm and intentional. I’m not a “just talk about your week” therapist, and I’m not rigid or overly clinical. I offer a middle ground that feels human, grounded, and deeply attuned — while still giving you direction, insight, and tools that create real movement. I blend: Narrative Therapy — rewriting old stories that shape your identity and relationships IFS‑informed parts work — understanding your internal world with compassion Duality + cognitive flexibility work — moving beyond all‑or‑nothing thinking ACT — values‑aligned decision‑making and emotional regulation CBT — understanding patterns and building coping skills ERP — gently reducing avoidance, fear, and “what if” spirals This integrative approach helps you understand yourself more clearly, feel more grounded, and make changes that actually stick. As a Black woman therapist, I bring cultural attunement, lived experience, and a deep understanding of the emotional load carried by helpers, faith‑centered individuals, and people navigating identity, family, and relational expectations.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is a high‑functioning adult — woman, man, or gender‑expansive — who has been carrying a lot internally while still showing up for everyone else. You may be navigating anxiety, self‑doubt, relational stress, faith‑based conflict, or a major life transition. You might look “fine” on the outside but feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer fit who you’re becoming. I work especially well with: Faith‑centered adults Christian men and women navigating: -> spirituality + identity -> sex and purity‑culture wounds -> relationship trauma -> family expectations -> emotional exhaustion -> boundary challenges You want a therapist who understands faith without judgment — someone who can hold both your spiritual values and your emotional reality. Therapists and clinicians Graduate students, associates, and licensed providers navigating: -> burnout -> imposter syndrome -> identity shifts -> emotional load -> perfectionism You want a therapist who understands the clinical world and can help you explore your internal system with depth and nuance. High‑functioning adults People who are: -> reflective -> motivated -> emotionally intelligent -> tired of carrying everything alone -> ready for short‑term, intentional therapy You want clarity, emotional relief, and practical tools you can use right away. You don’t need to come into session perfect. Together, we’ll create a space where you can finally put the emotional load down and reconnect with yourself.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Life Transitions
Self Esteem
Other specialties
Coping Skills
Depression
Family Conflict
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Peer Relationships
School Issues
Identifies as
Black / African American
Christian
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Cash - $150 per session
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
For understanding patterns, building coping skills, and creating small, sustainable shifts.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
For clients whose anxiety shows up as avoidance, fear, or “what if” spirals — we work gently and gradually.
Narrative
For exploring the stories you’ve been carrying and rewriting the ones that no longer serve you.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
For understanding your internal world with compassion — the overwhelmed parts, the protective parts, and the parts longing for change.