Inspiring Conversations with Larissa House of Therapy with Larissa House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larissa House.

Hi Larissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about helping people nurture the best version of themselves and create clarity from chaos. I’ve always been that friend who siblings, cousins, classmates, and friends would go to for encouragement, problem solving, support, and celebration. My career started as a social worker working with diverse populations ranging from teen parents to veterans and their families, and I’ve been a licensed clinical social worker for the last 11 years focusing on mental health and psychotherapy.

Now, I’m a couples and EMDR trauma therapist running my own virtual private practice. Every day, I’m so grateful that I get to support people as they release past traumas and create healthier relationships with themselves and the people around them.

This year marks the 7th year that my husband, kids, and I have been intentional about living internationally and exploring the world as a family. Although LA feels like home and is still where we return to every Christmas because that’s where my family is, over the last 7 years, we’ve lived in Central and South America, Europe, North Africa, and different parts of the US (including LA!).

I come from a family of immigrants, and connecting my kids to the world that is bigger and beyond themselves has always been a priority for me. I feel the connection that we humans have with each other and see life as a journey. That journey to nurture the best version of ourselves as individuals and communities as we strive for balance, clarity, resilience, connection, and alignment is woven through both my life and therapy practice.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing a small business while raising young children and developing myself as an evolving human while feeling a sense of responsibility to be the best version of myself, not just for myself but also for my family and my clients, has often made me feel pulled in many directions. Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything? I’m sure you can relate!

My own experience with weaving through the many things I’m passionate about, giving my all, developing awareness of how energy flows within and around me, and committing to self-compassion when I can’t do everything all the time to the level that I wish I could have helped me better support my clients as they also juggle the many valuable people and projects they are investing in. My clients are entrepreneurs, high-performing professionals, creatives, healers, and caregivers who are juggling so many major roles or identities that are pulling (sometimes demanding!) their attention at any given time. My own journey has helped me nurture a stronger sense of empathy for our shared experiences as well as curiosity for each individual’s journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of Therapy with Larissa House. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
During one of my therapy sessions today, a client told me “I wish I could go back in time and tell myself 5 years ago that I wouldn’t always feel that way” as they reflected on how they now navigate and experience present triggers feeling more resilient, empowered, and peaceful and contrasted it to the emotions, thoughts, and reactions they used to feel stuck in. That is exactly the transformation that makes me excited to do my work each day and that I’m committed to helping all of my clients experience on both individual and relational levels.

My speciality areas are EMDR trauma therapy, couples therapy, and supporting moms and parents around fertility, pregnancy, birth trauma, postpartum, and parenting (especially in the context of also juggling a professional career and individual identity).

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy is an amazing psychotherapy that helps people reprocess trauma and break free from patterns and memories that they feel stuck in by releasing trauma that has been stored in the mind and body so that they can feel empowered, peaceful, and whole in the present.

In addition to traditional talk therapy, I use EMDR to help clients reprocess both specific traumatic events as well as negative beliefs that might not seem like they have a clear origin but seem to be woven into how someone views themself, such as not feeling good enough or worthy of love or like the rug is going to get pulled out from under them at any moment. I’m EMDR certified and have been practicing EMDR therapy for several years.

I’m also passionate about helping people create healthy relationships through couples or relationship therapy. I believe that healthy relationships are made, not born and that we have to both release some of our beliefs about what a “good” relationship is that interfere with us experiencing positive relationships as well as learn new tools to communicate, connect, and repair, and I’m here for all of it!

I’ve done training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and integrate tools for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and clear communication in couples work to help individuals show up in their partnerships in the best ways possible and for partners to create a relationship that is more joy than drain and feels like a safe haven in an uncertain world.

I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming and love supporting AAPI, BIPOC, and people from marginalized populations release trauma, create healthy relationships, feel empowered, and thrive even in systems that didn’t have their wellbeing in mind when those systems were established.

I want your readers to know that I’m here to collaborate with them on their mental health journeys, and I’m truly excited for them to witness the transformation in their own lives and relationships as they take the next step in their healing and growth.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Community and belonging are immensely valuable. As I’ve traveled and flowed through different locations and phases of life, I’ve learned that community and belonging may look different at times depending on our energy levels, environment, or needs at the time, but the concept is the same. Having people who truly see us, are curious about us, challenge us to grow, and appreciate who we are and what we bring to the relationship can give us the strength to get through the pain and uncertainty of life and make celebrating the wins sweeter, as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therapywithlarissahouse.com/

Image Credits
Javi Morán Toro