Services Provided
I provide individual, couples, family and group therapy.
Treatment specialization includes:
Relationship Difficulties
Depression and Anxiety
Panic Attacks and Phobia
Domestic Violence
Sexuality Issues
Work and Career Issues
Stress Management
Anger Management
Addiction and Recovery
Cultural Issues
Infertility Issues
Gay/Lesbian
HIV Related
Trauma
Issues of Abuse
Pre-Marriage Counseling
Self-Esteem/ Personal Growth
Populations I treat:
Adults
Adolescents
Therapists
Languages Spoken:
Armenian
English
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is preferred when one has personal issues they would like to explore and resolve. It is often easier to disclose about personal concerns in a one-to-one format.
Although this is a one-to-one modality of treatment, you and your therapist may decide that at times during treatment, it may be helpful to have friends, family, colleagues or partners get involved with your therapy sessions.
The length of treatment will depend on your needs with therapy. The treatment plan will be shared with you towards the end of the first session. It will be based on the information gathered, as well as your goal of treatment.
Couple’s Therapy
I really enjoy working with couples. Many times I find that couples have difficulty communicating for many different reasons. Sometimes one partner doesn’t feel it would matter if they were to bring up an issue, since they feel hopeless about anything changing. Other couples talk over each other, and have frustration for being misunderstood. These are common issues that surface within couples. It’s not too late to seek therapy. If you’re married, and think you’re headed towards a divorce, then therapy is a great alternative.
Ask yourself…
Has my relationship been rocky lately?
Do I still enjoy being intimate with my partner?
Does my partner still enjoy intimacy with me?
Do I feel misunderstood?
Do I feel things are never going to get better?
Do I trust my partner?
I can help if you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above questions. Would you like to feel more fulfilled in your relationship? Would you like more intimacy? How about building trust and reaching emotional safety?
As a therapist, I find that clients would like to know the structure of therapy. My responsibility is to help set up a safe environment for the couple to share their concerns. Since there’s a great deal of information most couples would like to share, I have each client complete a form about their perspective of themselves and their partners. This is given to the couple during the first session to take home with them.
During the first session, I gather information from both partners to determine the problems and have a goal set to achieve through therapy. During the second session, we review assertive communication skills to be on the same page. When the couple communicates in this respectful way, they tend to hear each other, and feel heard. This doesn’t necessarily solve the problem however it does help the process of achieving a more fulfilling relationship.
From the third session forward, we begin to peel the layers of the onion, so to speak, to determine the core issues, and with sensitivity, I will assist each partner validate, acknowledge, and show their understanding of their partner’s concerns. Eventually, each person may commit to changing patterns that are destructive to the relationship, and incorporate a healthier approach to help the relationship advance to a peaceful and enjoyable place.
Family Therapy
Family Therapy involves the family members as the treatment unit in therapy. The benefit of this modality is to work with the system and the interaction between familial members, as well as help nurture change and development.
The therapist addresses with the family on how patterns of interactions appear problematic, and help develop skills to make effective changes. When the family works towards similar goals, and develops similar effective skills, i.e., communication skills, it fosters change more quickly. It becomes safe to implement these changes at home, and oftentimes, results in a more peaceful living environment.
Many of my clients prefer to come with only a few family members, such as mother and daughter, or father and son. This works well, however it’s working with part of the system, rather than the whole family.
Group Therapy
Group therapy provides an atmosphere where you come together with others to share problems or concerns, to better understand your own situation, and to learn from and with each other. Group therapy provides room for change and growth.
By attending groups, one works to express problems, feelings, ideas and reactions as freely and honestly as possible. You would have the opportunity to perceive how group members react. Members tend to become more comfortable within a group setting. You could identify patterns in life, and find more constructive ways to cope.
I currently facilitate 3 groups; 1) a co-ed psychotherapy group that runs weekly; 2) a group for adults experiencing social anxiety and/or shyness; and 3) coed anger management.
Psychotherapy co-ed group
By participating in this group, you will learn about yourself and improve your interpersonal relationships. Feelings of depression, anxiety, or trauma among other issues may be addressed. This is a process group.
Group for adults experiencing social anxiety and/or shyness
If you experience social anxiety and/or shyness in group or social situations, you may benefit from this group. People with social anxiety tend to avoid social situations, which oftentimes interferes with their relationships and their daily activities. They may avoid situations such as social events with work, interviews, having friends over for dinner, or expressing their opinion. There tends to be concern regarding being judged by others.
In this group, you will have the opportunity to be in a safe environment where you could learn about social anxiety and the skills to help you work through difficult situations. Clients will have the opportunity to practice the newly learned skills within the group. In time, goals will be set to practice leaned skills outside of the group to help work through the anxiety.
The group currently meets in Sherman Oaks on Tuesdays from 6:30 – 7:45 PM. The fee is $50 per session. There will be a free half hour consultation prior to their entering the group.
Co-ed Anger Management
The Anger Management group runs weekly on Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 PM. You will have better knowledge about anger, and have the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to manage your day to day more effectively. You may visit www.AngerManagement818.com for more information.