Today we’d like to introduce you to Lilit Arutyunyan.
Hi Lilit, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is one of many families who immigrated to the United States. Though I was far too young to truly understand what the scope of immigration had on not only my family but also myself; my experiences growing up in an immigrant family shaped who I became. My parents immigrated to the United States from Armenia when I was 3 years old. They left Armenia at the time when the country was still part of the Soviet Union, where opportunities and freedom were limited. I would not understand the sacrifices and struggles my parents faced to give me and my older sister the life that I have now. My childhood was not without its issues, and I bore witness to the turmoil of having parents go through a divorce. I noticed early on that I was often an observer of others, their behaviors and feelings. Even though childhood was not easy, my mother always instilled in us the importance of hard work, diligence, independence and striving for success in a place that provides so many opportunities.
When I began my freshmen year at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), I went in undeclared. I did not know what I wanted to pursue and quite honestly it took me almost my whole freshmen year to decide to major in Psychology. I appreciated that psychology provided a lens to all aspects of human behavior. Once I received my bachelor’s in psychology, I went off to graduate school and graduated from Alliant International University, Los Angeles with my doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D), with an emphasis in couples and families. During graduate school I interned at different sites such as community mental health centers and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I was able to work with clients from different demographics, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Soon after graduating, I worked at a community mental health center, specifically working with children, adolescents, and families in clinic and school settings. In addition, I was also able to supervise graduate students attaining their predoctoral clinical hours.
Although I enjoyed my time working at the community mental health center, life happened, I got married, had my first child, and realized that I wanted something that gave me flexibility that was on my terms. After having my first child, I decided to resign from my job and began the process of starting my own private practice. The process may not have been easy, juggling starting a new independent practice and tending to a newborn, but the fruits that it bore were more enriching and profound. This was the ideal situation for me to be both present as a mother and a career-minded woman.
I have been a licensed clinical psychologist for the past 12 years and in private practice for 9 years now, and it has been a fulfilling experience that has challenged me and made me grow as a clinician and business owner. My approach to therapy is one of collaboration, empathy, and practicality. I integrate various treatments such as cognitive behavioral, family systems and psychodynamic treatments that are personalized to each client and their needs. I specialize in treating adolescents, adults, children and families coping with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, self-esteem and trauma. I provide various evidence-based practices in therapy and am an EMDR therapist. My belief is that maneuvering life on our own is difficult enough but with someone else walking alongside us, the journey doesn’t feel as frightening and isolating. Therapy is a shared and transformative experience which occurs through the relationship that is formed. What truly makes my work enjoyable and worthwhile is being the observer of the growth I see in my clients through the course of their therapy sessions.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Each bump along the road, representing each challenge I faced in starting my career, were part of the growing pains that led me to where I am now. Through my progression of working at a community health center right after graduate school, to then opening up my own private practice, this long journey has been meaningful however, I have missed the collaboration with other clinicians as well as the assistance from staff members who handled the tedious yet important aspects of this job, the administrative duties. Throughout these years, I have learned the significance of peer consultations and networking. Luckily, I am surrounded by a great community of therapists, some whom I call my dearest friends, who have guided, motivated and provided insightful perspectives with the consultation aspect of my career, as I continue to grow, learn and thrive as a therapist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lilit Arutyunyan, Psy.D. ?
For the last 9 years I have had my own private practice as a licensed clinical psychologist where I provide in-person and virtual sessions. I integrate various treatments such as cognitive behavioral, family systems and psychodynamic treatments that are personalized to each client and their needs. I specialize in treating adolescents, adults, children and families coping with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, self-esteem and trauma. I am an EMDR therapist and utilize various evidence-based practices during my therapy sessions. I am a bilingual therapist providing therapy services in Armenian and English however, I cater to a range of clients from different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, as well as socioeconomic backgrounds. For many clients, coming into therapy for the first time can be an intimidating experience and I strive to provide an environment that promotes empathy, trust, and collaboration. I meet each client where they are at, explore their needs and goals, and establish a treatment plan that targets what they want to accomplish from their sessions. I feel most accomplished in my career when I witness my clients’ evolution through their therapy sessions, where they feel they have achieved their goals in therapy and outside of therapy.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice to therapists starting out in private practice is that networking is key, not only with other fellow therapists but also with other medical professionals such as primary care physicians, psychiatrists, etc. Make your presence known and let other medical professionals be aware of the services and resources you provide because camaraderie is essential in this industry. Establishing relations with primary care physicians is important because majority of the clients we see initially discuss their symptoms and concerns with their primary care doctor. And by establishing strong relationships with the primary care doctors, they can better vet their patients’ mental health needs and recommend therapists that specialize in those areas of concern. Over the years, medical professionals have begun to realize the importance of mental health intervention and seeking therapy services. For many clients, the recommendation from their primary care physician is the catalyst for the start of their therapy journey. Therefore, the relationships we as therapists establish with the medical professionals can set the trajectory of how and when a patient with mental health needs decides to take that first step towards receiving the proper treatment. My fellow colleagues, many of whom I call my closest friends, are also in the private practice field and they provide not only consultation services but also are an important referral source.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drlilit.com
