About Me and How I Work

Hello, I’m Stav.

I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and I’m also a human. I understand that being alive comes with messiness, complexity, and vulnerability—and I believe these very experiences hold the seeds for our growth. My practice is grounded in warmth, curiosity, and authenticity, creating a space where you can show up just as you are.

As a therapist, I draw from a blend of evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy and Internal Family Systems, as well as experiential methods like Hakomi and Gestalt. In my work, I find fulfillment in navigating my clients’ challenges, exploring not only the pain but also the resilience and meaning within their stories.

I felt called to this work through my own ongoing journey of self-discovery and healing. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a translator in a corporate setting, where my passion for languages and human interactions flourished, but my deeper sense of purpose remained unmet. Leaving this behind to follow my soul’s calling was one of the scariest yet most rewarding choices I made.

I was born and raised in Israel and had the privilege of traveling the world and living in Europe before moving to California in 2018. My experience as an immigrant has deepened my empathy and contributed to my pursuit of belonging and a sense of home within.

Being in and with nature, dancing, cooking, and meditating are some ways I ground and nourish myself.

“Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”

—bell hooks

My Approach

My work is guided by my clients' unique needs and resonance.

It is integrative in nature, drawing from various psychological perspectives. Primarily, my clinical approach is…

  • A holistic view of therapy highlights the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, addressing the whole person rather than focusing solely on symptoms.

    Somatic therapy utilizes body awareness to address emotional and psychological issues. It helps clients release stored tension, trauma, and stress, promoting healing through working with physical sensations, mindful movement, and breathwork.

  • Depth-oriented psychotherapy focuses on exploring the unconscious mind, underlying patterns, and sources of our emotional and relational challenges. It emphasizes self-awareness, meaning-making, and transformation by working through early life experiences, unresolved wounds, and the deeper layers of the psyche. This may include exploration of symbols, dreams, and our theraputic relationship.

  • Mindfulness-based therapy incorporates mindfulness practices, such as meditation and present-moment awareness, to help clients cultivate self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. It encourages non-judgmental acceptance of thoughts and feelings, cultivating greater peace and clarity in navigating life's challenges.

  • Trauma-informed therapy honors the profound impact of trauma on mental, emotional, and physical well-being, prioritizing safety, trust, and empowerment in the therapeutic journey. Through a slow, gradual, and attuned process rooted in non-judgment and compassion, it fosters resilience and supports deep healing.

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꩜ I work with a variety of themes, including:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Attachment wounding

  • PTSD and trauma integration

  • Relational and communication issues

  • Neurodivergence

  • Existential distress

  • Spiritual crises

  • Self-discovery and identity exploration

  • Emotional regulation and processing

  • Life transitions (e.g., career changes, relocation)

  • Psychedelic support and integration

  • Women’s wellness and health

꩜ Some of the training that inspired my work:

  • Intimacy From the Inside Out ~ Internal Family Systems for Couples

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy

  • Hakomi ~ Mindful Somatic Therapy

  • Love Made Simple ~ Integrative Somatic and Experiential Couples Therapy

  • Beyond the Blues ~ Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

  • Sitting and Integration ~ Zendo Project

  • Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy ~ Polaris Insight Center

꩜ Education

  • MA Counseling Psychology | Pacifica Graduate Institute | Carpinteria, CA

  • MA Linguistics & Hebrew | University of Haifa | Israel

  • BA Hebrew Language & Psychology | University of Haifa | Israel

꩜ Currently offering services through the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy.