Kimia Karimian

My therapeutic approach is integrative, evidence-based, and deeply human. I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while integrating insights from trauma research, attachment theory, and mindfulness. I believe effective therapy should not only reduce distress but also expand one’s capacity to live meaningfully — to reconnect with clarity, safety, and purpose. My role is to help clients move from survival mode toward a life guided by values rather than fear. In our sessions, I balance structure with empathy. I view the therapeutic space as both a laboratory and a refuge — a place to understand patterns and to practice new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating. CBT allows us to map the logic of distress, while ACT encourages acceptance of what cannot be controlled and commitment to what truly matters. Together, these methods help transform painful experiences into opportunities for psychological flexibility and growth. I work collaboratively, tailoring each process to the person’s pace and readiness, because healing cannot be forced — it unfolds when we feel understood and empowered. My trauma-informed work focuses on restoring the nervous system’s sense of safety. Many of my clients come after periods of intense anxiety, panic, emotional exhaustion, or self-doubt. Rather than rushing into painful memories, I help them reconnect with the body and regain control through grounding, emotional regulation, and present-moment awareness. From that place of safety, we can explore deeper wounds with curiosity rather than fear. I emphasize compassion, because trauma is not only what happened to us — it’s also how we learned to survive. Therapy helps us update those survival strategies into choices that fit who we are now. In couples therapy, I guide partners in moving from defensive reactions to genuine understanding. Using an attachment and values-based lens, I help couples uncover the unmet needs and protective strategies that fuel disconnection. Together we rebuild trust, communication, and emotional intimacy by replacing blame with curiosity and rigidity with empathy. Whether working with individuals or couples, my intention remains the same: to create a space where awareness leads to change, where pain becomes information, and where each person can begin to feel at home within themselves and their relationships again.

I have several years of experience working as a psychologist in both clinical and non-profit settings, supporting people through trauma, anxiety, addiction, and emotional challenges. I’ve conducted over 100 psychological assessments and worked with refugees and vulnerable populations, providing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care. My clinical internships in mental health clinics focused on substance abuse, where I gained hands-on experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment planning, and therapeutic communication. These experiences have shaped my holistic and compassionate approach, helping me meet clients exactly where they are—whether they're seeking clarity, healing, or deeper emotional understanding.

I hold a Master’s degree in Psychology from Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where I focused on clinical practice and research-based approaches to mental health. My studies included specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), couples therapy, personality disorders, and recovery from severe mental illness. I also gained experience in psychological assessment, case formulation, and advanced data analysis . This combination of practical skills and scientific knowledge allows me to tailor therapy in a way that is both structured and deeply human.