Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.
— Erich Fromm
Hello, I'm Piyola Derbarseghian (She/her/hers) and I am a AMFT. I’m passionate about supporting individuals who are navigating the complexities of adulthood, balancing work, love, and family responsibilities—while trying to stay connected to who they truly are. My goal is to create a warm, supportive space where you can slow down, reflect, and make sense of the experiences.
I love working with...
I love working with young adults navigating anxiety, daily stress, and interpersonal challenges within their relationships. I also specialize in supporting couples who want to deepen connection, rebuild trust, and create a more harmonious, fulfilling partnership. In addition, I am passionate about helping clients explore identity conflicts, intergenerational trauma, and self-esteem concerns—especially those with multicultural or immigrant backgrounds who may feel caught between cultural expectations and personal authenticity.
Some of my favorite approaches include...
My work is grounded in psychodynamic therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), allowing us to explore how early experiences and past relationships shape your present. I also draw from humanistic approaches, emphasizing empathy, authenticity, and your innate capacity for growth and self-understanding. My work is culturally attuned and trauma-informed, ensuring that therapy honors the complexities of each client’s story, background, and values.
How I help...
In our work together, I provide a warm, compassionate space where you can safely explore who you are and what you need. I see therapy as a collaborative process, one that helps you uncover patterns, reconnect with your inner world, and build more meaningful relationships with others and yourself. Whether we’re focusing on personal growth, healing from relational wounds, or improving communication and intimacy, my role is to walk alongside you with empathy and curiosity, supporting you in discovering a life that truly reflects your authentic self.
I believe...
I believe therapy is not about fixing who you are, but rediscovering who you’ve always been beneath the noise of expectation and fear. I believe empathy and compassion are the foundation for genuine healing, and that each person’s experiences deserve to be honored and understood. As an Iranian-Armenian-American therapist and child of immigrants, I also believe in the importance of cultural sensitivity and the power of integrating one’s cultural identity into the healing process.
What it's like in session with me
Clients often describe sessions with me as grounding, reflective, and collaborative. You can expect warmth, openness, and gentle challenge as we explore the stories and emotions that have shaped you. I approach our time together with genuine curiosity and respect for your pace, balancing insight-oriented exploration with space for emotional processing and personal reflection. My hope is that therapy feels like a place where you can be fully seen, understood, and supported in moving toward a life of deeper connection, clarity, and fulfillment.