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JL Portrait of Jilla Lavian

Jilla Lavian

Thoughtful, experienced therapist and life coach

LCSW California

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Parenting
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy
Languages
English, Persian
Continue with Jilla

About Jilla

Jilla Lavian is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California who brings about 20 years of practice supporting people through stress, anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, career shifts, and parenting concerns.

Background and approach

She combines practical skill-building with reflective exploration to help clients clarify priorities, manage difficult emotions, and regain a sense of direction. Her work blends evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness with psychodynamic perspectives and motivational interviewing, adapting strategies to the needs of each person.

Trained in social work and communal service at the University of Southern California, she also holds training as a transformational life coach and often incorporates coaching techniques when clients are focused on goal-setting and behavioral change.

Jilla emphasizes self-exploration practiced with kindness and curiosity, believing that greater awareness of thoughts and feelings leads to more intentional choices and renewed creativity. She aims to help clients recognize strengths, reduce debilitating patterns like codependency or shame, and move toward clearer priorities and practical steps for change.

She provides services in English and Persian for individuals living in California.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing practical behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. It tends to be structured and goal-oriented, making it easy to practice skills between sessions. Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and self-compassion through simple attention exercises and acceptance practices, which can help with rumination, sleep issues, and emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to explore goals, preferences, and responses to different techniques, adjusting the mix of CBT, mindfulness, and other methods as progress unfolds. This cooperative mindset helps tailor sessions to what actually helps the individual move forward.

Online sessions offer flexibility for people balancing work, family, or geographic constraints by providing options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills in real time, and access support from wherever the client is located within the therapist's service area.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and communication problems, parenting and family concerns, career adjustments, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue.
What therapeutic style does she use in sessions?
Her approach mixes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness practices, psychodynamic reflection, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques tailored to each person's needs.
What is her professional background?
She has nearly 20 years of clinical experience and completed dual masters at the University of Southern California in Social Work and Jewish Communal Service, along with training as a transformational life coach.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker in California, holding the credential CA LCSW 15233 and practices with clients located in that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are available in English and Persian. She is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what works best for them.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that may be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule appointments according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesGriefSleeping disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameImmigration issuesIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMulticultural concernsSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English, Persian