Maryam Bonyadian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA. She has over 14 years of experience as a mental health therapist, addressing an array of symptoms and behaviors, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and grief/loss. She believes that a lot of who we are and how we act is formed by our thoughts and experiences (past and present). For the most part, our behaviors aim to serve protective functions. However, protective doesn't necessarily mean healthy or effective. One part of therapy can be exploring alternative thoughts, feelings and behaviors that can be more effective for clients. Maryams' emphasis as a therapist is on mental wellness and not illness. She believes in accessing and highlighting the strengths and inner resources of her clients. As healthy aspects of our lives increase, there will be less room for the unhealthy/ineffective. With her strength-based approach, she attempts to empower her clients to take control of their lives. Maryam also acknowledges the value of culture and family dynamics on an individual. Realizing the importance of cultural factors (i.e. Immigration status, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, etc.), she encourages clients to take on the role of narrators in their own lives and re-write their stories. Additionally, as part of practicing cultural sensitivity, Maryam can facilitate therapy in English, Armenian, and Spanish. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and her graduate degree from Pepperdine University.