- Stress and anxiety
- Communication help
- Social anxiety focus
About Isabella
Isabella Sarkissian-Ourkhan is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 18 years of clinical experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, depression, and life transitions. Her work also covers communication problems, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose, self-love, and social anxiety and phobia.
In sessions she invites straightforward conversation about what is worrying the client. She listens to the immediate problem and asks practical questions about how it shows up in daily life. Sessions focus on clear steps someone can try between appointments, alongside time to talk through feelings and setbacks.
Isabella uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to a person's situation. She guides people through ways to reduce persistent worry, practice new communication habits, and rebuild confidence after setbacks. The emphasis is on small changes that are possible to practice outside of sessions.
Her style is collaborative and direct. She helps people set realistic goals and checks progress regularly. When feelings like shame, isolation, or fear about social situations come up, she helps people notice patterns and test new behaviors in manageable steps.
People considering a first appointment are encouraged to think about specific situations that cause the most distress, such as speaking up in groups or avoiding social events. Bringing concrete examples helps make the first session focused and useful.
Evidence-informed approaches and remote care
Isabella works with evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills and behavior change. One common approach helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice alternative responses; this is useful for persistent worry and social anxiety because it targets the thoughts that fuel avoidance. Another approach focuses on building communication skills by rehearsing and refining small behaviors, which can reduce conflict and improve confidence in conversations.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. She will discuss what feels most useful based on a person's goals, preferences, and the situations that cause the most distress. That collaboration helps decide which techniques to try first and how to measure progress over time.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as the biography does not list formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when a quick catch-up is helpful. People often find scheduling more manageable and less draining than arranging in-person visits, which can help sustain steady progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, low self-esteem, depression, life changes, and social anxiety and phobia.
What is her approach in sessions?
Her approach uses evidence-based techniques and practical steps. Sessions combine talking through feelings with concrete actions to try between meetings.
How long has she practiced?
She has 18 years of professional experience working with clients on emotional and relational concerns.
What credentials and location are on record?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with her from another country?
She is not accepting international clients; sessions are provided within California practice parameters.
How are fees arranged?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.