Member Highlight — Sipan Nazaryan, Student/Prelicensed

Celia Grail, LMFT

A Therapist with a Passion for Helping Clients Through Life's Challenges.

Celia Grail, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), always had a feeling that she would become a therapist, despite initially resisting the idea of following in her mother's footsteps as a social worker. Having worked in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, it was after the birth of her son that Celia decided to pursue a career in therapy. She enrolled in an MFT program at Antioch, believing that her diverse life experiences would translate well into the clinical setting.

Today, Celia specializes in working with the Latino community, thanks to her proficiency in Spanish. In addition to her private practice, she works part-time for the Program for Torture Victims in Los Angeles, conducting forensic psych evaluations for people who have experienced torture in their home countries. Celia also treats adults with adjustment disorders, valuing the flexibility and variety that her career offers.

One unique aspect of Celia's therapy practice is her 18-year-old cat, which often sits beside her during online sessions, providing a calming presence for clients. As for her therapeutic approach, Celia employs a combination of solution-focused, narrative, and psychodynamic modalities, having also dabbled in psychoanalytical techniques.

In her career, Celia has faced challenges like setting and maintaining boundaries with clients, given her desire to befriend them. However, she recognizes the importance of these boundaries for fostering a therapeutic relationship, a lesson she has learned through her continuing education.

For those considering a career in psychotherapy, Celia's advice is to pursue areas in which they feel comfortable and enjoy working. This approach, she believes, will ultimately lead to long-term success and fulfillment.
Having recently joined the San Fernando Valley CAMFT chapter, Celia has already experienced the benefits of professional networking and involvement in organizations for her professional growth. She appreciates the supportive and helpful nature of the monthly meetings and enjoys connecting with fellow therapists, which is especially important in a field that can sometimes feel isolating.

Celia often encounters misconceptions about therapy, including clients believing that all therapists have the same credentials or are medical doctors. She emphasizes to her clients that they are at the center of their own universe, and her role as a therapist is to facilitate their self-exploration and personal growth.

In her downtime, Celia engages in self-care activities such as walking her dog and spending time with her family, acknowledging the need for more time dedicated to self-care.

Celia Grail's journey as a psychotherapist is a testament to her passion for helping clients navigate life's challenges. Her unique background, combined with her dedication to professional growth and her empathetic approach, makes her a valuable resource for those in need of therapeutic support.

Sipan Nazaryan, is a therapist trainee at Child & Teen Counseling in Woodland Hills, working under the supervision of Kent Toussaint. Sipan is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. He may be contacted at 818.452.3216 or Sipan@ChildTeenCounseling.org.