- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practices
- Motivational interviewing
About Jilla
Jilla Lavian is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, parenting and relationship concerns, and people noticing how family patterns continue to shape their lives. Sessions are offered in English and Persian.
Her day-to-day approach blends practical talk and reflection. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ideas to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and reactions. Mindfulness practices are introduced to help calm the body and focus attention. Motivational Interviewing techniques support people who want to make changes but feel stuck.
Jilla describes therapy as a space to look at where feelings come from and how family of origin issues affect choices now. She helps people identify patterns such as codependency, attachment concerns, or repeated relationship habits, and then set small, manageable goals to shift those patterns. Work often focuses on clearer communication, setting boundaries, and rebuilding self-respect.
Her background includes a dual master’s degree from the University of Southern California in Social Work and Jewish Communal Service, plus experience as a transformational life coach. That mix informs sessions that balance practical steps with deeper exploration of past influences.
People who meet with her can expect focused conversations, skill-building exercises, and check-ins about progress. She encourages clients to notice what works between sessions and to bring that learning back into everyday life.
Approaches used online and how they help
Jilla often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. CBT sessions typically include specific exercises and steps to practice between meetings to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, or shift relationship patterns. She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to teach attention and breathing skills that reduce reactivity and increase present-moment awareness. Mindfulness can be useful for managing stress, anger, and feelings that come up from family history. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review a person's goals, life context, and responses to early sessions and then recommend which methods to emphasize. Decisions are made collaboratively and can change over time as needs shift. Confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking, since the biography does not list formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time, or allow for shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed. These practical benefits help people keep regular work on patterns that began in their family of origin and bring learning into everyday routines.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Persian
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with related to family background?
She addresses family of origin issues, attachment concerns, codependency, and patterns that affect current relationships and parenting.
What is her general therapy style?
She combines practical problem-solving with reflective work, using clear conversations, homework between sessions, and skill practice.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience as a clinician working with diverse communities on a range of concerns.
What credentials and region are listed for this therapist?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Persian.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.