Healthy Starts Here
Psychotherapy
Meet Leyla
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
I’ve been in both seats; patient and therapist. Like all therapists, I have studied theory and
the critically important, accompanying treatment paradigms. It was, however, the changes that occurred during my own therapeutic process that has given me the passion to help others in their deeply personal journey. There may be an "other" in your life with whom you struggle. You may have a lot going on inside that you don't share with others, like feelings of emptiness, low motivation or anger. There may be an unexpected and painful circumstance in your life. Whatever you are experiencing, I would feel honored and work tirelessly to accompany you in your journey through process, change and growth. My goal is to do this in a warm, receptive and comfortable environment. I will do my best to help you feel understood and find a greater sense of personal empowerment and satisfaction in your relationships.
I received my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. I received my Bachelor of Science at California State University, Long Beach. I interned at Airport Marina Counseling Services where my caseload included individuals and families from a wide variety of cultures from all over Los Angeles County. I currently see clients at Journeys Counseling in Torrance. My post-graduate education continues as I attend seminars and trainings and read the most updated materials that keep me informed on significant topics in my profession. This way I can best provide quality care and treatment in my work with adult individuals, adolescents age 17 and older, couples, families and the elderly. This care contributes to groups I have facilitated in depression at my church and in
the parenting of adolescents. Recently, I completed intense training in Brainspotting Phase 1 and Phase 2, which is a treatment I now implement in accessing unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. I use the Client's visual field as part of this process to dislodge frozen trauma, which leads to it's release and resolution.
My husband and I have been married for 31 years and our adopted daughter is a Manager of Client Services at the Breakers in Palm Beach, FL.
Thank you,
Leyla
License #104651
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Jayda and I are certified with the Pet Prescription Team and provide support to students and other organizations in Los Angeles County.
At some point in our cultural history, the relationships between individuals evolved to the extent that one person assumed the role of helper. These helpers developed skills and expertise in a variety of areas including spiritual and emotional guidance.
Why Psychotherapy?
In the latter case, the mental health helper was likely looked upon as gifted or blessed in his or her ability to assist and accompany others through especially difficult times. Research demonstrates that psychotherapy or assistance provided by mental health professionals is not a luxury, but a viable empirically supported intervention in treating mental health issues.
(Bruce E. Wampold, Ph.D.)
(APA, October 2011, Vol 42, No. 9)
Depression/Anxiety
Having personally been treated for both depression and anxiety over 29 years ago, I feel deeply motivated to help others struggling with the often times, debilitating symptoms associated with either or both of these disorders. I wish the most current and evidence based treatment interventions had been available to me at the time. I am sensitive to and can personally empathize with you if you are struggling with symptoms or both of these disorders and will implement the most up to date interventions accordingly.
Couples
Pre-marital counseling can enlighten individuals to some of the unhealthy relational dynamics that are developing unintentionally within the couple context. Tools are provided so the couple can learn to resolve differences and face challenges in a healthy manner. Marriage or long-term relationship couple's counseling seeks to alter a painful relational dynamic that has already developed and within which the couples feel stuck. I can help you see how these dynamics have come to occur and can be altered accordingly so that connection and greater intimacy can be restored.
Relationships
Relationships can have a tremendous impact on our sense of self and well being. Therapy can help when tension mounts inside a relationship and avoidance or poor responses to this tension occurs, and when the health and longevity of a relationship is in jeopardy. Together we can explore your personal situation and help you understand some of the dynamics involved and acquire the tools that will help you resolve differences and face challenges in a healthy and productive manner.
Family/Parenting
Family therapy can help identify and alter negative behaviors between family members. I can help your family access it's pool of available strengths and resources so that there can be a greater degree of conflict resolution. With the implementation of these resources, you may feel better understood personally, and understand one another in the family context, as well as, feel a greater sense of personal empowerment, fewer and lessening resentments, and develop better communication skills.
Grief/Loss
Most of the time we think of grief as being the suffering associated with the death or loss of a loved one. We understand now, that grief can be associated with a variety of losses such as the following; the loss of your own or an intimate other's physical or cognitive abilities due to an accident or illness, the loss of something routine in your life like the loss of your home or job, the loss of a marriage, relationship or family life you had dreamt of, the loss of a friendship due to conflict or un-resolve. Whatever the current loss or even the anticipatory loss, your grief is real and I can help you work through the myriad of feelings accompanying your grief.
Adoption
All children pass through developmental stages that enable them to gradually acquire a sense of identity and psychosocial well-being. Adoption and the accompanying issues of loss, attachment and self-image can exacerbate an already complicated process. As the parent of an adopted child, I am both professionally and personally acquainted with adoption's unique influence in a child's life. If you are an adoptive parent I can provide support, parenting tools, and resources and a more comprehensive understanding of adoption's influence in your child's developmental process.
Life Transitions
A life transition can be multi-faceted, expected or unexpected and encompass many areas of life. Positive transitions, though anticipated, can involve adjustments equally as life-altering as negative transitions. Both involve leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable and
adjusting to what is unfamiliar. There are a host of feelings we can have accordingly; shock, anger, anticipation, excitement, regret, fear, enthusiasm. If you are experiencing many feelings associated with a life transition, I can help you understand what may be unclear to you and help provide coping strategies.
