Alex Shink
June 26, 2023

Silva Depanian, LMFT, MA.

1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?

Sessions With Silva focuses on helping individuals who are struggling with chronic pain management, anger management, and codependent relationships. I particularly enjoy working with those who are starting their chronic pain and illness journey so that they can maintain a high quality of life. I also love working with young adults, men and women wanting to learn new skills in managing their expression of anger and aggression, as well as setting boundaries within their codependent relationships.

2. Tell us about yourself. 

I absolutely love helping clients rediscover their sense of fulfillment and joy. Having dealt with my own chronic pain and illness issues for over ten years now, I'm passionate about advocating for chronic pain management and providing a sense of self balance for those who grapple with it. Anger and codependency can also be deeply present within those working through their own journey. Helping them navigate it and inch towards healthy emotional experience and expression is incredibly fulfilling.

3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.

I'm grateful to have witnessed a multitude of clients achieving growth and life fulfillment, but one does stick out. This client had come to therapy having just begun their chronic illness journey, having lost hope in future prospects and overall feeling defeated. Over the course of our work, this client was able to successfully shift perceptions regarding their future and create realistic expectations of themselves, thereby markedly improving their mood, illness experience, and quality of life.

4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?

Unless you've cultivated a therapist community, being in a private practice can be very isolating. A community provides support, motivation, and helpful alternative perspectives to overcome obstacles you may be facing.

5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\

Here are my three tips: 

  1. Be persistent
  2. Be flexible
  3. Be authentic


These characteristics will help you pursue your passion, navigate boundaries with yourself and others, maintain a healthy and nurturing community, and stay true to your goals regardless of the obstacles that will cross your path.

6. Where can people find you?

READ MORE

Share by: