Licensed to practice in California. Specializes in Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Depression and 6 more.
New to Grow
I am a licensed psychologist with experience across private practice, community mental‑health settings, and correctional settings. My clinical work focuses on helping patients understand the bidirectional connection between thoughts, emotions, and physical health. I provide structured and flexible, evidence‑based therapy informed by CBT, DBT, and EMDR, behavioral health, and contemporary clinical psychology. My approach is direct and yet compassionate, collaborative and client-focused, and centered on measurable change. I help patients identify behavioral patterns, challenge distorted thinking, strengthen emotional regulation, understand the duality of the world (the tension of the opposites and how to find the fine balance in it), and build practical skills that support long‑term stability. I also integrate psychoeducation on the mind–body relationship, health behaviors, and the impact of chronic stress on psychological functioning. Evolutionary psychology and metaphors are a big part of my psycho-education as well. I work with adults 18 to 64 years old, including individuals navigating medical illness, work‑related stress, family conflict, identity development, life and career transitions, lifestyle integration in California, and trauma histories. I also have specialized experience working with personality disorders and individuals facing complex psychosocial stressors. As a naturalized, proud citizen of this country, I bring a unique perspective to therapy based on my life experiences, my work as a multicultural mental health professional, and my recognition not to take the freedom and opportunities we have in our country for granted. I’m constantly working to expand my knowledge within my scope of practice. Currently, I’m completing a post‑graduate master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology in order to integrate medical and psychological perspectives more comprehensively. This training helps me better recognize how medical and mental‑health conditions influence one another—connections that are often overlooked. I also speak and provide therapy in Armenian and Russian.
During the intake session, I provide a clear overview of confidentiality and its limits, cancellation policies, and the structure of therapy. I maintain a professional, safe, and transparent environment. Patients can expect: - A thorough assessment of symptoms, history, and goals - A collaborative treatment plan - Evidence‑based interventions tailored to their needs - Regular review of progress and adjustment of strategies - Respectful, culturally informed/sensitive care
I tailor therapy to my client's needs as I do not believe in a "one size fits all" approach. I bring a straightforward, compassionate presence to therapy, offering a balance of direct guidance and genuine warmth. My strengths include helping clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, physical experiences, and translating complex psychological concepts into clear, relatable language through mind–body teaching, metaphors, and evolutionary perspectives. I draw from structured, evidence‑based approaches while remaining flexible and attuned to each person’s pace. Clients often tell me they feel understood, supported, and gently challenged in ways that help them recognize maladaptive patterns, build emotional regulation, and find balance in the tension of opposites. My multicultural background and lived experience also allow me to meet clients with humility and respect, creating a therapeutic space where people feel safe, grounded, and capable of meaningful change.
My ideal client is an adult who wants therapy to be both supportive and structured — someone who is ready to understand themselves more deeply and willing to engage in meaningful, evidence‑based work. I work best with individuals navigating stress that shows up emotionally or physically, people moving through life transitions, and those seeking clarity around identity, relationships, or long‑standing patterns that keep them stuck. Clients who appreciate direct guidance delivered with warmth, and who are open to mind–body exploration, reflective writing, and practical skill‑building tend to thrive in my care. I am also a strong fit for clients who value culturally informed therapy and feel comforted by a therapist who brings lived experience, humility, and respect into the room. My ideal client is someone who wants to feel understood, supported, and gently challenged as they work toward balance, emotional regulation, and meaningful change.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT helps you notice patterns in your thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to stress or emotional difficulty. Together, we look at what feels unhelpful or overwhelming, and we practice new ways of thinking and responding so you can feel more grounded and in control.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
This approach supports emotional balance. We work on skills like staying present, managing intense feelings, improving communication, and finding the middle ground when you feel pulled between extremes.
EMDR
This method helps you process difficult or overwhelming experiences in a way that feels safe and manageable. We focus on reducing the emotional intensity of past events so they no longer feel as disruptive in your daily life.
Couples Counseling
In couples work, I use the Gottman Method, which focuses on strengthening your relationship through better communication, deeper understanding, and practical tools you can use right away. We look at patterns that create distance or conflict, build skills for managing disagreements respectfully, and work on increasing connection, trust, and shared meaning. This approach helps couples learn how to turn toward each other, support one another’s needs, and create a more stable and fulfilling partnership.
Humanistic
This approach centers on your lived experience, your strengths, and your capacity for growth. I work to create a space where you feel deeply understood, accepted, and supported as you explore who you are and who you want to become. Existential therapy — This method helps you explore meaning, identity, choice, and the transitions that shape your life. We look at the questions that feel important to you — purpose, direction, relationships, and values — and work toward clarity and a sense of groundedness. Motivational Interviewing — MI helps you understand what matters most to you and what changes you want to make. Instead of pushing you in any direction, we explore your goals together and strengthen your confidence in taking the next steps.