Dr. Shirley Pakdaman, Psychologist

04/13/2023

Sometimes things are going great and an upcoming session might seem like a waste of time (and money!). Not so! Read on for ways to engage in therapy to better yourself even when times are good.

At a loss for words? We got you. We asked experts what to talk about in therapy when things are going great.

06/09/2022

I'm very pleased to share that I am now a certified Integrative Mental Health Professional! This approach appreciates how mental health issues are biopsychosocial and need to be treated as such. It's been an amazing journey to deeply explore food as medicine, supplementation, movement and exercise, lifestyle practices and complimentary mind/body treatments as powerful adjuncts to psychotherapy to further enhance mental wellbeing for my clients!

08/10/2021

Again and again, studies have shown that talking with strangers can make us happier, more connected to our communities, mentally sharper, healthier, less lonely, and more trustful and optimistic. Yet, many of us are wary of those interactions, especially after the coronavirus pandemic limited our social lives so severely. We should never underestimate the power of even the smallest positive connections.

So many of us have been raised to see strangers as dangerous and scary. What would happen if we instead saw them as potential sources of comfort and belonging?

06/17/2021

Dear Millennials,
Let go of your regrets. Embrace your wisdom. Make the moves you know are right.

The realization that we're getting older isn't an easy pill to swallow. As a millennial therapist, the biggest theme I've seen emerge among adults in their 30s is the struggle to move forward from their biggest regrets in life. But it's time to stop overthinking—and here's how.

07/17/2020

Race-based traumatic stress is real. Black lives (and minds) absolutely do matter. Acknowledging and labeling this stress and breaking the pattern of not caring for self, whether that is because of cultural beliefs that caring for others is more important, or that self-care is indulgent, is the first step in healing and thriving and fighting the lie that black lives are not as precious as any other life.

Before writing this piece, I took an informal survey of several friends and colleagues who identify as Black or African-American. Given the most recent racial injustice, the high visibility of viral videos and social media saturation of any and all things race-related, the psychologist in me had two...

05/14/2020

Disappointment and uncertainty are inevitable. But we don’t have to turn them into suffering! The Atlantic's new "How To Build A Life" column outlined negative cognitive errors we make, like confusing disappointment with regret, that exacerbate feelings of frustration and exhaustion. Learn some therapist techniques to try on yourself here!

Disappointment and uncertainty are inevitable. But we don’t have to turn them into suffering.

05/12/2020

Renowned psychotherapist and author Esther Perel spoke with the New Yorker about relationships under quarantine, addressing topics like the importance of alone time and tools for effective conflict resolution.

The therapist, author, and podcast host offers wisdom on navigating romantic relationships under quarantine.

05/11/2020

The New York Times published a guide to creating screen-life balance when our lives depend on digital communication, offering recommendations like monitoring moods before, during, and after screen use and recognizing stress-scrolling.

Being thoughtful about our use of screens can help us emerge from this crisis empowered and in control, and with more self-awareness.

05/08/2020

Skin hunger can manifest through a range of symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. For people living alone right now, exploring qualities of touch by massaging a shoulder or playing with textures on skin can offer some benefits.

It’s called “skin hunger,” and you’re not alone if you’re experiencing it right now.

05/07/2020

Many teens and young adults are grappling with the loss of milestones like prom and graduation. NPR outlined ways that parents can support children in processing these losses including how to see these losses as part of a greater good.

Stuck at home, with graduations and celebrations canceled, young people are feeling disconnected. Here's how to help them through.

05/02/2020

Los Angeles County Department of mental health is offering free access to the Headspace app for all LA county residents through the end of the year!

LA, we’re all going through the current crisis together. Headspace has partnered with the LA County Department of Mental Health to provide support and resources during this challenging time.