Please, call me JJ. Truth is, it's all about connection. You need to feel connected to your Therapist as you both work together. No matter how many theoretical orientations a therapist has at their fingertips, it will never replace human connection. My job is to create a safe therapeutic relationship that will allow you to explore and possibly heal past (or current) experiences. My passion is working with relationships... and communication... communication is the foundation of most relationships! When relationships become challenging, or when LIFE becomes challenging, you can become stuck in old, possibly negative patterns. I believe there is always a way to become unstuck and evolve through the challenges. My style relies heavily on Gottman method (an evidenced based framework used with couples), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Attachment (how has your experience growing up impacted current relationships?), Psychoanalysis (do your current relationships indicate a past pattern or experience that is "haunting" your ability to be authentic? Did experiences in your past create insecurity, shame, guilt, fear or anxiety?), and finally humor. Yep, humor. Because who says therapy can't have moments of lightness? I might argue that the lightness is a guide through the darkness, and that's what I hope to offer to you.

My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that you already carry strengths, wisdom, and resilience that can become part of your healing. I create a non-judgmental space where you can feel safe being honest about what you are experiencing. Together, we will work to understand the patterns, experiences, and challenges that may be contributing to your current distress while identifying practical tools and strengths you can use to create meaningful change. I have more than 20 years of experience in health and wellness, including work as an athletic trainer, life and relationship coach, and marriage and family therapist. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups navigating trauma, posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress (CPTSD), anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family concerns, life transitions, substance use, re-entry, and other complex challenges. As a Native American therapist with a diverse background and broad life experience, I understand that each person's story, culture, relationships, and circumstances shape the way they experience the world. I meet you where you are and tailor our work to your needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. My goal is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to help you develop greater self-compassion, reconnect with your strengths, heal from what you've experienced, and move toward the life and relationships you want to create. You don't have to navigate that process alone.

Have you found yourself questioning why you’re acting a certain way, but you can’t understand why? Have you felt out of control with anxious thoughts, disconnected from your intuition, or stuck trying to distinguish between anxiety and intuition? Do you have a desire to learn more about yourself, but you’re unsure where to start? What if I were to tell you that you already have everything you need within you? I am a Latina relational psychodynamic psychologist based in Los Angeles who helps people reconnect with themselves and their inner strengths. I provide compassionate, evidence-based telehealth therapy to clients across California. I am deeply committed to providing culturally attuned, non-judgmental care that honors your identity, background, and lived experience. I actively collaborate with you to create a therapeutic space where you feel safe, understood, and empowered. We go at your pace. Healing happens in connection. I am here to witness and embrace you. Whether you’re looking for support with anxiety management, depression as a young adult, processing emotional abuse from past relationships or childhood, or guidance with relational and attachment concerns, I tailor my approach to meet your unique needs. It would be an honor to walk alongside you on your journey.

I have a passion for my work as a Jungian analyst in reaching out to: a) Men and women (35-65) who are struggling with a Mid-Life CrisesTransition, often experiencing anxiety and depression while searching for a more meaningful life. b) Young men and women (19-35) who are experiencing a "Quarter-Life Crises" searching for a more soulful existence in relationships and vocational lives; and c) Licensed therapists (and others with a doctoral degree) who are interested in knowing more about Jungian analysis and dream interpretation and who may want to enter training to become a Jungian Analyst in the future.

My approach to helping is warm, collaborative, and tailored to your individual needs. At the core of my practice is a person-centered, strengths-based approach, while drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities, including internal family systems, cognitive behavioral therapy (), psychodynamic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solution-focused brief therapy, and narrative therapy. I integrate these thoughtfully based on what will be most helpful for you. Together, we can explore your experiences, recognize the strengths you already carry, develop practical coping skills, and find new ways of navigating grief, cognitive changes, caregiving, life transitions, and uncertainty. I offer an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen, supported, and understood.

I believe that the client is the expert in his or her own life, however, it is frustrating to go to a therapist who continually asks "how does that make you feel?" I care about how you feel, but more importantly, I want to know what you are doing about it. I believe that finding a solution is more important than focussing on the problem. In addition to traditional therapy, I also offer psychological testing for those who are interested in psychometric evaluations of intelligence and personality. I also provide a number of screening instruments to discern a more global diagnostic picture. Therapy can be eye opening and exciting, but having a full psychological profile done is mind blowing!

At Avedian Counseling Center, we work with individuals, couples, families and groups with a variety of issues. Our areas of specialty include anxiety, anger, relationship struggles, and stress. We help clients develop communication skills, coping skills, and improve self-esteem by replacing unhealthy beliefs about themselves with a healthier outlook. The combination of using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for building necessary skills, and the use of Gestalt approach for raising awareness of one's behavior, works well for reaching therapy goals. Treatment may be brief to address a problem, and the skills learned for addressing current issues may be used without a therapist for future challenges. Goals are set at the end of each session so that work is continued between sessions. We invite you to use therapy to learn, understand, and challenge the thoughts and behaviors that have not been working for you. Therapy is useful for understanding patterns and lifting symptoms. At Avedian Counseling Center, we do believe that therapy is helpful, yet not necessary for long-term. If your preference is to reduce symptoms immediately, including anxiety andor trauma, Thought Field Therapy (TFT) can be very beneficial.

Challenges can be overwhelming, but can lead to positive change. This isn't an easy road to go alone. The desire to live with hope, loving relationships and creativity often requires a neutral partner outside of our immediate community. I offer an alliance in which to explore your issues without judgment, knowing compassion, safety and trust are key elements in the healing process. So often we struggle, feeling we aren't enough, sometimes not even knowing why. We feel lost. Our histories, often traumatic, may play a major part in current day struggles like depression and anxiety, addictive behavior, and troubled relationships. I collaborate with you in exploring the story of your life, facilitating a path to understanding, self-empowerment and clarity. Having been through the therapeutic process myself, I understand the vulnerability and courage taking this step requires. It's gutsy to want to make our lives better, to believe our relationships, work, our inner world, can be enhanced so that we can address the struggles that got us here and overcome them. Ultimately, I'm a person, like you. I use my life experience, sense of humor, and street smarts in the work we do. I believe in our capacity to change. Therapy offers a place to discover our true selves, to deal with crisis and trauma, and allow the hurt parts of us to be understood. They can become part of us in a healthier, resilient, self-accepting way.

Are you having some difficulties in your life or are you struggling with sadness, stress or other psychological issues? If so, then I am confident that I can help and or find you the assistance that you need. You will see that I am interested in assisting you in meeting your goals and helping you attain a more happy life. I utilize a non-judgmental but direct approach with patients. I can offer you ways to feel happier and more relaxed. I strongly expect success and provide every opportunity to achieve it. Specialties: SadnessDepression, StressAnxiety, Adjustment Issues, Life Changes, and Personal Growth.

Through a collaborative and empathetic process, I help clients face their personal and professional challenges with an eclectic approach. Drawing upon decades of education and direct experience, I offer interventions, techniques, and practical tools that are based in psychodynamic theory, neuroscience, and innovation. With a focus on mindfulness and intentional living, I assist people with gaining a thorough understanding of their reactions to stressors and developing practices that support healthy shifts in perspective, communication, and behavior. By enabling people to separate their past from their present, they can free themselves from patterns that are no longer serving them. Additionally, when people's levels of anxiety, depression, and overall emotional discomfort decrease, opportunities are created for peace, happiness, and success.