Zaryn Avaren, LCSW
Return to yourself.
Meaningful change begins with a safe, steady space where we can meet ourselves with curiosity.
Meaningful change begins with a safe, steady space where we can meet ourselves with curiosity.
Dedicated to creating a warm, explorative space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and met exactly where you are.
I'm a licensed therapist in California who believes that meaningful change begins when we slow down and meet ourselves with curiosity instead of judgment. My path to this work wasn't linear; I spent fifteen years in a different career before making my own midlife transition to mental health a decade ago. That experience taught me firsthand the courage it takes to reinvent yourself.
My clinical foundation was forged in community mental health, where I had the privilege of working with a beautifully diverse cross-section of people — including LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent folks, elders, and other marginalized communities. This rich background has shaped me into a practitioner who values inclusivity, honors identity, and meets every client exactly where they are in their healing journey.
I bring a unique blend of deep clinical versatility and real-world life experience. My years of training and practice lend me a rich, comprehensive foundation, allowing me to feel at home working with unique identities and complex emotional layers. In the room, my greatest strength is my ability to provide a deeply grounded, steady space where we can slow things down and look at painful patterns without judgment. I bring genuine empathy for the messy process of change, combined with an adaptable, evidence-based approach that focuses heavily on cultivating your self-compassion and unique strengths.
Our first session is about getting to know each other. I'll ask about what's bringing you in, a bit about your background, and what you're hoping to get out of our work together. My clients say they feel seen and understood, accepted and treated like they matter. Reaching out takes courage — whatever you are carrying, you do not have to untangle it alone. If my approach resonates, I invite you to reach out for a brief, no-pressure consultation.
Every approach is tailored to you. We choose together what fits — nothing is one-size-fits-all.
We may use ACT to help you stop fighting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, shifting the focus from trying to eliminate stress to altering your relationship with it. Together, we'll practice tools to slow things down, unhook from harsh self-judgments, and anchor ourselves more firmly in the present moment. Your core values become our compass — blending evidence-based strategies with your natural strengths to help you take committed action toward a rich, meaningful life.
We may use Trauma-Focused CBT to create a safe, gradual pace and space where we can untangle the lasting impacts of painful or overwhelming events. We'll work to understand how your past experiences may be driving automatic, unhelpful thoughts and emotional distress today. By learning gentle coping tools to manage physical and emotional stress, we'll process these memories at your pace — transforming your relationship with the past so you can move forward with renewed safety and self-compassion.
We'll look beneath the surface to explore how your past experiences, early relationships, and unseen patterns might be quietly shaping how you feel and react today. We'll bring gentle curiosity to recurring emotional loops or old defense mechanisms that once protected you but now keep you feeling stuck. By untangling these deeper roots in a safe, collaborative space, we foster the self-awareness and insight that lets you break free from old cycles and make conscious, grounded choices.
We may use EMDR to help your brain naturally process and file away distressing memories that still feel vivid or painful today. Using gentle bilateral stimulation — such as guided eye movements or rhythmic tapping — we can take the emotional "sting" out of past trauma without you having to talk through every painful detail. This structured, evidence-based approach clears the blocks left behind by difficult experiences, so you can release old loops of shame or anxiety and feel truly grounded.
Start with a free consultation. From there, most clients use insurance — I'm in-network with many major plans — or you're welcome to pay directly.
Reach out — I'm happy to help you understand your options. Beyond insurance, I also accept credit & debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and Zelle or Venmo. If cost is a barrier, please mention it during your consultation.
Have a question before scheduling? Send a message and I'll reply within one business day.