Farah Pezeshki,LCP

My name is Farah Pezeshki, and I am a Ph.D. (license # PSY14875) in clinical psychology with over 20 years of experience. I am based in California, having worked with young adults and older adults across all areas of Los Angeles. My cross-cultural experience and clinical-based approach allow me to apply my expertise and training to fit any individual's unique needs, helping them manage a wide variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, etc. Through my practice using a person-centered approach, I attempt to empower my clients to build trust within themselves and gain everlasting confidence so that they are equipped with the tools to overcome life's challenges.

In approaching clients with Person-Centered Therapy, I take a non-directive approach and allow them to take the lead in discussion while providing a non-judgmental, compassionate, and supportive environment to foster self-exploration. Also, with my extensive experience working in the clinical field, assessing clients of all ages, I am specialized in identifying and managing psychological disorders, as well as skills in performing evaluation and treatment programs. In working collaboratively with my client, I aim to enrich their lives with unconditional support and positivity and help them navigate their inner thoughts and emotions through self-reflection.

In a few sentences, please describe the types of clients you typically work with. What conditions are you most comfortable treating? For the first 10 years working as a clinical psychologist, I was working with older adults addressing various issues like difficulties with Dementia, life transition, and communication deficits issues. Transitioning to my work with adults, I frequently assessed clients dealing with different psychological conditions like clinical depression, trauma, anxiety, grief, etc. Therefore, as I have had experience working with clients of all ages and circumstances, my client focus is very diverse.

My communication style is best described as friendly, gentle, and nonjudgemental. In my role as an equal partner in my client's therapy process, I challenge my client's perceptions and attitudes by carefully asking thoughtful questions without offering advice. This way, my client can practice self-reflection in a secure and trusting environment. This goes hand in hand with my beliefs that when a person is allowed the opportunity to construct their reality and make their own decisions, they can build trust within themselves and live a self-determined life.

I was raised in a family with both parents working in the health field and with people in needy areas. I learned from both my parents, who were not only taking care of their patient's medical problems but were also spending time listening to their emotional needs when going to counseling was not prevalent, about the relationship between body and mind and the importance of addressing the whole. I gradually discovered the tremendous need in my community, as well as in society, treatment of individuals' mental health problems. As such, I have been interested in different areas of psychology and have studied experimental, counseling, and clinical psychology.

Goal setting is a crucial part of therapy, as it allows me to better understand how I can best cater to my client's unique concerns and support them toward success. In my approach to setting goals with my client, I focus on building a foundation for trust between the client and myself, as I believe it is the most fundamental aspect of developing a secure relationship. From there, I will simply ask my clients what their overall goal is in therapy and work with them collaboratively to explore the steps necessary for achieving big or small achievements.

The first session together should not be something daunting but rather an opportunity for you to share whatever presenting concerns you have, whether that be issues with peers or difficulty managing your anxiety. As I gain a better understanding of you, I may also ask questions about your personal background, like information about your career, relationships, or overall interests or worries you have. While it may feel a bit unfamiliar to you at first, keep in mind that there is nothing you have to disclose if you are uncomfortable, but it allows me to understand how I can best support you. Share your journey to becoming a therapist.