Karine Echighian, LMFT

Couples & Individual Therapist in Woodland Hills | California

Individual and Couples Therapist

I became a therapist because I really wanted to help people. Too often we feel alone in this world and begin to feel lost. My hope and goal for becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist is to be a resource for individuals looking to learn to connect, while helping them become stronger versions of themselves. This world has failed to teach us how to discover who we are, how we feel and how to show up for ourselves and those around us. I believe the more we learn to connect to ourselves and to those closest to us, the stronger we will be to make this world a happier place for us to live.

I am lucky enough to work with adults and couples - in person, online, or through a hybrid approach. Both professionally and personally, I am often described as being direct, quirky, and most importantly, real. I value honesty in the therapeutic space: I’ll always be upfront with you, and I expect the same in return. I’m okay with being wrong, but I’ll also let you know if I sense you're not being fully honest with yourself. My role is to offer insights and perspectives to help you navigate feeling stuck - You get to decide your path! I realize I only get a glimpse of your life story. I'm here to help you make sense of that glimpse!

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Karine Echighian, LMFT
Couples & Individual Therapist in Woodland Hills | California

What clients say about me?

Karine is a warm, supportive, and insightful Marriage and Family Therapist who helps clients navigate their personal and relational challenges with deep understanding and practical tools. She is known for her ability to ask thought-provoking questions, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and provide frameworks that encourage introspection and growth. Clients appreciate her structured yet adaptable approach, creating space for open expression while offering clear guidance. With a strong focus on emotional awareness, coping strategies, and confidence-building, Karine fosters a safe and empowering environment where individuals and families feel truly heard, supported, and equipped to handle life’s difficulties.

What should I know about Karine?

What is your theoretical orientation?

I work from an elective perspective. I tailor sessions to what you need. However, I would say my practice focuses more on a reflective approach to therapy, more than a tool-based approach. This approach focuses more on understanding why you do what you do by helping you learn to identify what you are feeling, what you need and how to get those needs met. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) approach most closely summarizes my approach to therapy. We will use this approach to create the basis of understanding behaviors while incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems and Mindfulness to correct undesirable thoughts and behaviors. This approach does not tell you what to do to stop the behaviors or feelings but rather understand them and empowers you to change them.

What type of education and training do you have?

I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and went on to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Lutheran University (CLU). Once licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I went back to school and completed a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA); fulfilling a personal goal.

Although, most of my road to licensure and to date, has been mostly working in private practice; much of my training includes working in community centers and clinics treating individuals with dual diagnosis including substance abuse. These settings trained me in working with individuals, couples, families and providing group psychotherapy.

However, I chose to remain in private practice because it allows me to customize treatment to each individual and allows me the flexibility to treat patients that is most effective for them.

Do you have any specializations or certifications?

Given the prevalence of anxiety in our society, I chose to become a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP). Through this training and certification, I gained access to the latest and most effective methods for treating anxiety. Having worked with numerous individuals struggling with various forms of anxiety and led a group for Social Anxiety and Withdrawal, I found this additional training invaluable in enhancing my ability to help those in need.

In my practice, I focus mostly on helping individuals get to know themselves better and help them understand why they do what they do. These individuals struggle with a vast variety of diagnoses which are not limited to anxiety.

I am also in the process of becoming a certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS) and earning a Complex Trauma Certification (CCTP/CCTP-II). My goal is to help individuals heal at their core.

My Commitment to You

People can leave a therapist’s office feeling as lost as when they walked in. In our session, we focus on better understanding your needs better to help you feel connected to yourself.