The core focus of therapy is always on you and your goals. It’s widely understood that the therapist’s presence should not overshadow your experience. However, your therapy process is influenced by the therapist’s personal qualities, background, and relational style. As someone seeking therapy with me, it’s helpful for you to know relevant professional and personal information about me.
In 1996, my family and I immigrated to the United States from Uzbekistan. This transformative experience of adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers, and demonstrating strength and determination has profoundly shaped me. It has given me a unique understanding of the emotions and challenges faced when making the brave decision to leave one’s homeland for a better future. If you’re a first-generation immigrant, rest assured that I’ll be there to support you and genuinely empathize with your journey.
Psychology wasn’t my initial academic pursuit. In Uzbekistan, I obtained a degree in computer science. However, my time in the United States brought about life-altering events that shifted my perspective. These experiences revealed the misalignment between my previous career path and my true self.
This realization compelled me to take a leap of faith and enroll in a Master’s program in psychology at Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles. From that point onward, my career followed a more conventional trajectory. I completed the two-year Master’s program, engaged in five years of internships, passed the licensing exam, and continued my work in the field.
During my internship, I sought further growth and enrolled in a two-year psychoanalytic psychotherapy program at the New Center for Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. This program provided valuable insights and expertise to better serve my clients.
Personal therapy significantly contributed to my professional development and identity. It surpassed what formal training alone could achieve. I feel fortunate to have been both a client and a colleague of therapists from the “old guard.” They emphasized the importance of maintaining the therapy space as a safe haven, free from personal agendas and ideologies, and understanding clients as unique individuals beyond diagnostic labels.
Based on my experiences, I am deeply committed to fostering a therapeutic environment where you can openly explore and grow without hidden agendas or rigid frameworks. Trust is essential, and together, we can engage in meaningful conversations about therapy’s boundaries, potential risks, and rewards. My aim is to empower you to make informed decisions on your healing journey.