My therapeutic style is warm, relational, experiential, and direct. I use humor to help clients relax and feel at home where I can. One of the first skills I teach a new client is nervous system regulation. This is a gift that will pay dividends in the future. Somatic approaches are a nice place to start and helps clients to build skills in sitting with the hard moments, slowing down when needed, cultivating curiosity, and deepening their emotional experiences. I encourage self-compassion and self-love as explorations we can make slowly and together, and over time, clients find that this can become comfortable and even joy-inducing. I believe we’re called to grow and change when the strategies that once helped us survive and adapt start causing us problems. This doesn't mean we are broken or need fixing, not at all. In fact, it is those very skills that got you here, and we celebrate that. We might consider safe and tiny ways we can help move beyond old patterns of shame, guilt, people-pleasing, and self-judgment... and into a more authentic life that is a more rewarding, exciting, and consistent way of being who you want to be. Together we aim for more authenticity, more self-forgiveness and and self-acceptance as we work towards the life YOU want.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

You will receive a comprehensive bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment followed by a diagnosis and treatment plan. I can assist in coordinating care with other providers with your permission. The first session is a diagnostic consultation in which we collaborate and discuss your treatment goals and preferences. As a licensed psychologist, I use my specialized clinical knowledge, treatment experience and evaluative skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions, including severe mental illness and serious emotional disturbances in adults. Psychologists are qualified and authorized to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes, and other diagnostic classification systems in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and other practice activities. The use of psychological methods, interventions, and strategies, particularly when untilized within a therapeutic relationship can help a person to change behavior, increase happiness, and overcome problems. Psychotherapy aims to improve an individual's well-being and mental health.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My approach is strength-based and positive. I have worked with hundreds of children, adolescents, adults and their families on almost every kind of issue. I work to balance empathy and sensitivity and yet help people find healing, move forward, and make meaning from their experiences. Nothing is wrong with you. It is possible to change negative, self-defeating patterns and emerge into a fulfilling life with greater freedom, expansion and joy. I have 21 years of experience as a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. I have worked in public mental health settings, both in a large community clinic in Los Angeles and most recently as the director of psychology at Austin State Hospital and in private practice. Further, I am a professor of doctoral level students in psychology and have trained students from undergraduate interns, LPCs, SWers, psychology interns and externs, as well as medical psychiatry residents. I use an open, collaborative and attachment-based approach. I integrate elements of somatic and experiential therapies such as IFS or “parts work” to help clients tolerate difficult emotions and stress. I combine these elements with trauma modalities such as Brainspotting or EMDR to make your treatment efficient yet gentle.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

Who I work with: Anxious perfectionists, People-pleasers, Cycle-breakers, High achievers, doers, dreamers and creatives, old souls and highly sensitive individuals. Misfits and those not fitting in, Neurodivergent minds, and any adult over 18 years of age with complex trauma, anxiety or depression, family issues, or addiction issues.

About Victoria Latifses, Ph.D.