Today we’d like to introduce you to Liron Gabay Samara.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Liron. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Israel and immigrated to the United States when I was 16. During high school in Israel, I was in the Psychology program and was on track to graduate with a high school diploma with an emphasis in Psychology. The plans changed when I moved and started 11th grade in the US. I moved here with my family and the struggles around acculturating, my parents’ illnesses and questions about life led me to attend therapy myself.
As a teenager, I would sit in therapy and be fascinated by the conversations that led me to experience many “a-ha” moments. As a kid, I was always known as the curious one who liked to ask many questions out of pure curiosity about people and the world. Very early on in life I knew I wanted to be a therapist and had no other plans for the future but being a therapist.
After I graduated high school, I attended community college, and from there I transferred to UCLA where I graduated in 2011. I continued to Phillips Graduate University to earn my marriage and family therapy degree. During my school years, I worked as a behavioral therapist with children and teens with autism and related disorders. I treated children ages one-three year old as a child development specialist.
For my traineeship, I co-facilitated various process groups in two different senior living facilities and provided individual and group psychotherapy in an elementary school for children with a variety of presenting issues. I was lucky to witness and work with people and issues across the lifespan. I was fortunate to find my mentor, Anita Avedian LMFT, while I was looking for an internship.
Anita had certified me as an Anger Management facilitator and trainer, taught me about the business aspects of private practice, marketing skills, and the list goes on and on. Today I have my private practice in Woodland Hills. I see young adults and couples in my practice. I run weekly groups of Anger Management and co-train Anger Management certification training on a monthly basis with Anita Avedian.
I am a board member and the Treasurer of California Association of Anger Management Providers. I was blessed with great mentors and guidance along the way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can’t label my road smooth or rough. I am a firm believer in finding the opportunity in every challenge. My maternal grandmother, who is a Holocaust survivor, taught me not to take anything for granted and appreciate every opportunity life presents me. My road was accompanied by many opportunities that challenged me in many ways and made me who I am as a person and as a therapist today.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
As mentioned before I completed my internship at Avedian Counseling Center which includes Anger Management 818. As I got licensed, I opened my private practice in Woodland Hills and continued facilitating anger management group (Groups in English and Hebrew) on a weekly basis. I am certified by the National Anger Managment Association and The California Association of Anger Managment Providers as an Anger Managment Specialist III.
In December 2018, the Anger Management Essential workbook, written by Anita Avedian translated by Adi Wolstein Gabay and edited by me, was finally published in Hebrew. In addition, I co-train with Anita Avedian monthly certification training in different cities.
My personal experiences as an immigrant, and fluency in the Israeli culture as well as the American culture, helps me connect, empathize and understand others. Growing up in a culture in which trauma is an inevitable reality has made me curious about trauma, anger, and resiliency.
For my professional thesis, I conducted extensive research about Most effective couples’ therapy when one partner suffers from PTSD. While working on this project, I discovered my profound interest in trauma and couples work and continue to explore this knowledge currently. I love working with young adults, couples, and families. I am fascinated by trauma and anger and their relationship to one another.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
There is a quote I like that says “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts” by Winston S. Churchill.
I believe that success is the ability to set realistic goals for yourself and never give up until you reach your goals. By saying “never give up” I mean work your hardest to get there, recalculate your route if needed and have the ability to accept that failure is an essential part of the process. Success is the aspiration to constantly evolve and be a better version of yourself in any given area of your life.
It is important to recognize the people who helped me get to where I am. It takes a village to grow a therapist! The process of getting licensed and opening my own practice was anything but easy.
With the help of many people and professionals around me, it would not have been possible. My parents are the first people who made it happen. They supported me mentally and financially through the process. I have no idea how I would have done it without them. Anita Avedian, my former supervisor and my forever mentor, has guided me, supported and still does, in every step of the way. Anita taught me that comfort zones are made to be challenged constantly. The whole team of Anger Management 818 is truly one big family, and they are always there to support, help and consult with one another.My amazing husband, Solly Samara, who is my biggest supporter and the business brain behind every step I make.
Pricing:
- $150 per 50-minute session for psychotherapy (couples, family or individual therapy)
- $225 per 75-minute session for psychotherapy (couples, family or individual therapy)
- $20-$30 per anger management class
- 200 per 60- minutes one on one Anger Management session
Contact Info:
- Address: 20300 Ventura Blvd., Suite 330, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
- Website: www.lirongabay.com
- Phone: (818) 208-0518
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/lirongabaylmft/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/LirongabayLMFT/
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.
