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Meet Anita Avedian of Avedian Counseling Center

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Avedian.

Anita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I knew in the 7th grade that I wanted to become a therapist. During those times, we would be on the phone with our friends talking, not texting, and my mother would overhear some of my conversations. One day she suggested that I would be a great therapist because she realized I cared for my friends and worked hard at supporting them.

I also noticed that I was drawn to business, mostly the art of business. By age 22, I was in my graduate program studying Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, alongside two additional certification programs which were (1) Employee Assistance Program and (2) Human Resources and Consulting.

I was able to combine my two interests and start my journey. I’ve been a practicing therapist for 22 years, and continue to feel as passionate about helping people achieve more fulfilling lives.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I am fortunate that my journey has been fairly smooth. My pattern is that I will try a path if it interests me, and if it doesn’t meet my expectations, I shift my focus to areas that are a better use of my time.

For example, I partnered with another therapist to develop an app for mental health professionals. We worked on the app for 2 + years. Though the app worked well and was providing benefit, we realized we needed more manpower to really capture the original vision. Unfortunately, we could not devote our full attention to it since we each had our separate careers, so we put the project on hold.  Instead, I’ve been able to focus on traveling to hold monthly 3-day anger management certification trainings for treatment providers. In January, I will be holding the training in Hawaii for the first time.

On the operations side, at Anger Management 818, we face the challenge of working with the courts and making sure the clients are following through their court-order, as well as our program policies. When there are multiple counselors and locations within a company, the challenge is to make sure that our program policies are administered in a consistent fashion from one counselor to the next.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Anger Management Essentials and Avedian Counseling Center – what should we know?
At Anger Management Essentials, I offer a monthly anger management certification training for counselors and coaches. I review some of the material in the 52-session workbook I’ve authored for counselors to work with clients. At Avedian Counseling Center, we offer both therapy and anger management services to clients.

I offer couples therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy. My specialties include anger management, mood disorders such as Manic-Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders including social anxiety, and general issues including trauma. We have anger management groups and individual sessions at eight locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area. Some of the locations offer services in Spanish, Armenian, Hebrew, and English.

What sets us apart from other anger management companies is that we take pride that most of our counselors are Master Level clinicians. This differs from the industry standard, where one does not need to be a clinician to offer anger management, and only needs to take a 2 or 3-day training to become a facilitator.

In addition to anger management services, I offer a weekly social anxiety group.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
In general, I believe one needs to have an entrepreneurial spirit to succeed in a private practice setting. In the therapy field, it’s essential to have the passion to help others yet know your own worth as a professional.

Some of the characteristics I feel are important to my success is the love of networking and an interest in helping the community.

Every year I help organize the Annual Glendale Health Festival. Since I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have volunteered to organize the mental health services of the health festival in the past 6 years. This past month, we had one of the more successful festivals yet, and offered consultation, education, and resources to many community members.

Last month, I spoke at the annual Las Vegas conference for the Armenian American Medical Society about Collaborative Care for Treating Depression. It’s so important that we collaborate care as therapists with primary care physicians to improve the mental health state of people. Every two years I attend the Armenian Medical Congress to learn about the progress of the medical and mental health field throughout other countries.

I absolutely love leadership and networking. Five years ago, I founded Toastmasters for Mental Health Professionals, an organization which brings therapists together to practice their public speaking skills. This club continues to succeed and grow. I co-founded the California Association of Anger Management Providers, and now we have over 80 members and work with legislators and the courts.

Through my involvement with professional associations, and helping the community through health festivals, I believe I will continue to grow and learn, and help others do the same.

Pricing:

  • $250 per 50-minute session for psychotherapy (couples or individual therapy)
  • $225/month for the social anxiety group
  • $20-$40 per anger management class

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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