- Stress and anxiety
- Guilt and shame
- Communication problems
About Isabella
Isabella Sarkissian-Ourkhan is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 18 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are carrying stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, depression, and the challenges of life change. She also focuses on issues such as communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation, life purpose, self-love, and social anxiety.
Her approach is straightforward and conversational. Sessions are a place to name what feels heavy and to talk through decisions and reactions. Isabella listens for the patterns that keep people stuck and helps identify small, practical steps to try between sessions.
She encourages clear, direct conversations about what led to a person’s guilt or shame, and what maintains it now. Conversations can include looking at beliefs, past events, and current behaviors that keep someone feeling stuck or isolated. She works with clients to build clearer communication skills and to strengthen confidence in everyday situations.
Isabella draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide sessions while keeping discussion focused and concrete. She supports people who want help sorting out relationship concerns, mood changes, or the fallout from difficult decisions. The goal in sessions is to create manageable ways to move forward rather than to rush or force a particular outcome.
To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial meeting. The first appointment is used to clarify concerns, set priorities, and agree on practical next steps.
How evidence-based techniques are used in online sessions
Isabella uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to keep sessions focused and practical. One approach involves identifying and testing unhelpful beliefs that feed guilt and shame; this helps people notice patterns and try different responses. Another approach emphasizes communication skills training to improve how someone speaks up, sets boundaries, or repairs misunderstandings in relationships.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Isabella will help clients and therapists decide what methods fit best based on the client’s goals, the issues being addressed, and personal preferences. That decision is revisited as needs change so the plan stays useful and realistic.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm current online session options before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into a busy life - they can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a workday, or make it easier to keep appointments when routines shift. Licensed professionals can adapt materials and exercises for a virtual setting so work continues between meetings.
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 address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes, plus related issues like guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of shame or guilt?
She talks through the events and beliefs that keep those feelings active and looks for practical steps to reduce their hold on daily life.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 18 years of professional work experience in clinical practice.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.