Jilla Lavian , LCSW

Jilla Lavian is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 20 years of experience supporting diverse communities through a wide range of life challenges. She holds a dual masters from the University of Southern California in Social Work and Jewish Communal Service and is also trained as a transformational life coach. Jilla integrates clinical training and coaching skills to help people clarify values, set meaningful goals, and navigate difficult transitions.

She views self-exploration as an investment in personal growth and encourages a gentle, curious attention to thoughts and emotions. By observing inner experience with kindness and compassion, Jilla helps individuals develop insight and a clearer sense of their authentic selves. Her approach emphasizes validation, empathy, and practical steps toward improved emotional wellbeing while honoring each personâs strengths and resilience.

In therapy she draws from cognitive behavioral methods, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic perspectives, and solution-focused techniques to tailor care to each personâs needs. Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, family and parenting concerns, grief, self-esteem, sleep difficulties, career issues, and compassion fatigue, along with attachment, abandonment, caregiver stress, codependency, acculturation, and multicultural concerns. Jilla provides services in English and Persian and combines clinical insight with life coaching to support clearer direction, renewed creativity, and practical coping strategies.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Therapy Options

Jilla integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy alongside Motivational Interviewing to meet people where they are. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop concrete skills to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship difficulties. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and gentle acceptance of emotions, which can support coping with grief, rumination, and sleep problems. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method that strengthens motivation and commitment when facing change, such as career transitions or behavior shifts.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jilla works collaboratively to understand each personâs needs, goals, and preferences and will tailor methods so therapy feels practical and aligned with what the individual hopes to achieve.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy schedules and varying comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life changes, coordinate with work or family demands, and access therapy from different locations while working with licensed professionals and therapists who adapt techniques to the online format.