Biography
Rita Akhian is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and is supervised by Chrys Gkotsi. Ms. Akhian is committed to helping individuals, couples, families, and children toward healing and growth. A graduate of UC Irvine and Azusa Pacific University, she is passionate about promoting resilience in her clients and helping them make positive steps toward change.
Rita helps clients navigate through challenges such as trauma, depression, anxiety, codependency, abuse, addiction, grief & loss, relationship issues, and additional issues impacting one’s overall well-being. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in authenticity and warmth. She believes in fostering a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can express themselves.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Client-centered approaches are implemented to empower clients to achieve their goals. Additionally, Rita pulls from her training in Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), TF-CBT, and Seeking Safety to better assist her client’s unique needs. She believes that the journey toward transformation begins within and radiates outward - affecting all areas of one’s life and a sense of purpose. As an Armenian therapist, Rita understands the role that culture plays within one’s self and relationships. With her training in Attachment-based and Gottman Methods, Rita integrates strategies and her intuition to help couples build trust, intimacy, communication, and empathy.
Having joined the Avedian Counseling Center and Anger Management 818, Rita facilitates weekly court-ordered anger management classes and offers individual and couples therapy in Glendale and Sherman Oaks. As an Armenian therapist, Rita feels passionate about helping her community and brings cultural competence into her work.
