I provide on line therapy for people grieving for the loss of loved ones. I am a Certified Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist providing sessions for couples on line. I am trained and provide therapy for families and individuals dealing with estrangement and parental alienation.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing the following:

• Grief counseling
  • Certified Grief Educator through completing a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert David Kessler
  • Committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief
• General psychotherapy
  • Compassionate, strength-based approach
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive behavioral therapies
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy
  • Positively focused brain-based therapies

Background:

• Became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2015 after retiring from a 28-year career as an educator, K through university, in the California public schools and CSU system, inspired by the needs of former students with mental health issues.
• Became a certified grief educator after being part of David Kessler’s Tender Hearts group following the loss by suicide of my younger daughter in 2021.
• Experienced serving clients and families with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction.
• In addition to having a private practice I work two days a week providing psychiatric evaluations and therapeutic support for patients in crisis in a Hospital Emergency Room.

Education

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy

University of San Francisco, December, 2009

Master of Arts in Education, Reading and Literacy

Sonoma State University, June, 2001

California Teaching Credential, Multiple Subject

Dominican University, January, 1988

Bachelor of Arts, Art History, Cum Laude

New York University, June, 1974

As a holistic and integrative therapist, I offer life affirming and culturally sensitive whole person care that considers body, mind, emotions and spirit. I offer a compassionate space for your pain and heartbreak, and a safe place to reconnect back to yourself and explore what’s holding you back from being present to yourself and others in this moment of your life. I work collaboratively with you and my approach is highly individualized and tailored to your needs, whether it is a desire to find relief from stress now or longing for a deep transformation and healing in your life and relationships. Together, we will work towards your goals and help you build a more fulfilling, authentic and embodied life.

I am a Neuro-Affective Relational Model (NARM®) Therapist trained in working with people who have experienced early developmental and relational trauma. I am also a Grief Certified Therapist; I understand grief and meet you where you are to support you through the heartbreak of loss to find healing and hope. I am trained in Somatic, Art, Jungian and Nature/Eco therapy modalities and incorporate them in our work together.

I offer therapy in both English and Russian.

Helping teens, adults and relationships heal and grow

LGBTQ+ affirmative

ADHD/Neurodivergence informed

Multiculturally informed and culturally sensitive

Individual Telehealth Mental Health Services to help adults, age 21+, dealing with grief & loss, depression, and anxiety.

Hello and welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Dara, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #94374) based in Los Angeles, CA.

Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, life transitions, or low self-esteem, I’m here to walk beside you. My goal in therapy is to create a partnership—a space where we journey together toward greater awareness, self-compassion, and lasting change. My approach is holistic, trauma-sensitive, and integrative, drawing on multiple evidence-based practices.

Throughout my clinical work and life experiences, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from diverse racial, gender, cultural, and sexual identities. My practice welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, religions, ages, and abilities. Being human is challenging and none of us are meant to navigate it alone. I’m here to help.

I offer online individual therapy to adults living anywhere in California.