Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Pogossian
Angela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I felt a strong pull towards a profession centered on helping others. It wasn’t until my mom was diagnosed with cancer during my early college years that I discovered occupational therapy (OT). It became this really interesting period of my life, where not only did I experience how a major health diagnosis can affect a family and every member involved, but I also learned how OT could support individuals and families through such challenging life chapters. Reflecting on whether I found OT or if it found me, I realized the profession aligned perfectly with my passion and goals for helping individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, and I never looked back! Eventually, I knew I wanted to open a private practice so I could provide the highest standard of personalized and inclusive care, and here we are today where I do just that – helping individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs along their wellness journeys.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One significant hurdle has been wrestling with self-doubt and imposter syndrome – both of which are very real human tendencies I believe to be part of the journey for many others as well. When starting the business, I felt confident in my therapeutic skills, but navigating the entrepreneurial side of things required a completely new learning curve. Even trying to explain to people what it is I do and all the things I can really help them with has been and still is a challenge. It really requires patience and creativity – but I firmly believe that if something is pulling you toward a certain goal, those challenges can be overcome.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
At Skills to Wellness©, I empower individuals to overcome food-related and body image stress for good, providing sustainable, life-changing solutions when everything else has failed. I work with children and adults dealing with various picky or disordered eating patterns, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, and ADHD while also providing ergonomic evaluations and adjustments for employee offices and larger companies. As someone who has overcome 7+ years of disordered eating and devoted so much time and research in this area, I believe that the client is the expert in their own life, and our work together is a true partnership. After all, it’s not easy coping with the mental and physical impact of stress on the body. Gut issues, hormonal imbalances, energy depletion, stigmatization… everyone deserves specialized care supported by evidence and backed by personal experiences so they can get back to doing what matters most in life!
What sets my practice apart? I fill gaps that other providers are not able to. I educate my clients, empower them to tune into their bodies, and offer personalized strategies so they understand how to manage symptoms throughout life. Clients can expect to take an active role in their care journey, equipped with the tools and knowledge needed for lasting change to reconnect and re-identify with what they value most. There is no better reward than seeing: A parent feeling relieved that their child can now eat anything from the menu with peace. A young adult with anorexia able to join their friends for dinner without fear. And an older adult with chronic pain and injury no longer worry about how or if their body will change during recovery – instead, feel stronger and healthier than ever.
Services are currently provided online via telehealth or in-home/in-office within the LA area – both of which allow me to provide convenient and accessible care to clients.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Each client holds a unique place in my heart, and I’m deeply passionate about creating an inclusive environment where each individual can thrive and achieve their goals. It’s so rewarding to see how someone’s ability to properly take care of themselves transforms from the start of care to the finish. If there’s anything else you’d like to know or discuss, please feel free to ask!
Side note – if being a foodie, exploring in the kitchen, and channeling your inner Alexis Rose is your vibe – we’ll definitely connect well! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skillstowellness.com/index.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillstowellness?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/skills-to-wellness-glendale?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/angela-pogossian-glendale-ca/1227307
