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Sheila Khaleghian, Psy.D.

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United States
Beverly Hills, CA
Sheila Khaleghian, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Los Angeles, Ca

Individuals, Family, and Couple Psychotherapy

Work Experience & Specialization

Relationship Issues
S*xual Dysfunctions
Addiction and Substance Abuse
S*xuality (LGBTQ)
Anxiety and Depression
Parenting without Conflict
Family Conflict
Life Transitions
Issues of Adolescence

Fluent in English and Farsi

03/27/2026

Most people think therapy is just “talking.” Clinically, it’s much more than that—it’s structured change.

Therapy works by helping you identify patterns, regulate your nervous system, and build new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating. Over time, those small shifts compound into meaningful change across your life—relationships, work, physical health, and overall well-being.

Research consistently shows that therapy can:

• Improve emotional regulation and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms

• Strengthen relationship satisfaction and communication

• Enhance decision-making and cognitive flexibility

• Reduce stress-related physical symptoms (sleep, digestion, immune function)

• Increase overall life satisfaction and resilience

What about timing?
Most people begin to notice subtle shifts within 4–6 sessions (increased awareness, small behavior changes). More measurable symptom improvement often occurs around 8–12 sessions. Deeper, more sustained change—especially around attachment patterns, trauma, or long-standing behaviors—typically unfolds over several months of consistent work.

Important disclaimer:
Therapy doesn’t always feel good at first. In fact, it can feel harder before it gets better. As you start confronting avoided emotions, patterns, or truths, distress can temporarily increase. That’s not a sign it’s not working—it’s often a sign you’re finally engaging with what needs attention.

A helpful question to reflect on: Are you avoiding discomfort… or working through it?

Because real change isn’t about feeling better immediately—
it’s about becoming better equipped to handle what you feel.

03/26/2026

Most people think a healthy relationship is about finding the “right” person. Clinically, it’s much more about two people who are willing to evolve.

A strong partnership isn’t built on perfection—it’s built on accountability. It’s two people who can look inward and say, “I’ll grow, not just for me, but for us.”

Research in relationship psychology shows that couples who engage in self-reflection, emotional regulation, and repair after conflict have significantly higher relationship satisfaction and longevity. Growth—not comfort—is what sustains connection over time.

Pay attention to this:
Are both of you willing to take responsibility when things get hard?
Or does one person carry the emotional weight?

Because mutual effort isn’t just important—it’s the foundation.

03/25/2026

Mental health care is no longer something people only turn to in crisis—it’s becoming a consistent investment in overall well-being.

A recent study in Health Affairs found that U.S. spending on mental health and substance use treatment increased from $40.9 billion to $139.6 billion between 2000 and 2021—driven largely by a 253% increase in the number of people receiving care, not just higher costs.

This shift matters.

More people accessing care means:

• Earlier intervention instead of waiting for crisis

• Greater normalization of therapy and psychiatric support

• Expanded reach across anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders

• Movement toward prevention, not just symptom management

In other words, we’re seeing a structural shift in how mental health is approached—from reactive care → to proactive, integrated wellness.

And clinically, that’s where real long-term outcomes improve:
when treatment happens earlier, more consistently, and across a broader population.

The future of mental health isn’t just access— it’s timing, consistency, and integration into everyday health care.

—
Source: Health Affairs (2026), “US National Spending on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment”

03/22/2026

Most people think cheating is about attraction or opportunity.
Clinically, it’s often about disconnection and unmet needs.

Research in relationship psychology shows that emotional neglect, poor communication, and avoidance patterns significantly increase the likelihood of infidelity—not just dissatisfaction.

People don’t just cheat because something is “better.”
They cheat when something feels missing, unspoken, or unresolved.That doesn’t excuse the behavior—but it helps us understand it.

If you want to protect your relationship, pay attention to this:

• Are needs being expressed clearly?
• Is emotional disconnection being repaired—or ignored?
• Do you feel safe being fully known?

Because the strongest relationships aren’t the ones without rupture—they’re the ones that know how to repair it.

03/20/2026

Most people think love is about presence. But clinically, what matters more is how someone responds when you’re in pain.

Attachment research shows that secure partners don’t just enjoy you—they attune to you. They notice distress, move towards it, and try to repair it.

Decades of research in attachment science (e.g., John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth) show that responsiveness to distress is a core predictor of secure bonding.

Studies in couples research (e.g., John Gottman) also demonstrate that emotional responsiveness during moments of vulnerability strongly predicts long-term relationship stability and satisfaction.

If someone fears hurting you, that’s emotional investment.
If they only fear losing access to you, that’s dependency.

That difference is subtle—but it defines the entire relationship.

Pay attention to this:

When you’re struggling, do they get closer… or more distant?

Do they try to understand your experience, or shift the focus back to themselves?

Do you feel safer expressing pain, or do you find yourself minimizing it to keep the connection?

That answer tells you whether you’re being loved for who you are or what you provide.

03/16/2026

Talking about s*x with your partner can feel uncomfortable for many couples, yet research consistently shows that s*xual communication is one of the strongest predictors of relationship satisfaction, s*xual satisfaction, and intimacy. Studies and meta-analyses in relationship science have found that couples who are able to discuss intimacy openly tend to experience stronger emotional bonds, better s*xual functioning, and greater long-term relationship stability.

The key isn’t just talking about s*x — it’s how the conversation begins.

Relationship research shows that the first moments of a difficult conversation can shape how the entire interaction unfolds. Conversations that start with blame, criticism, or emotional intensity are more likely to trigger defensiveness. In contrast, discussions that begin with appreciation, curiosity, and emotional safety are more likely to lead to productive dialogue and deeper connection.

When couples approach intimacy conversations with openness rather than accusation, they create space for honesty, vulnerability, and growth.

Some evidence-informed ways to start these conversations include:
• Choosing a neutral moment rather than bringing it up during or immediately after s*x
• Asking if your partner is open to talking first
• Starting with appreciation for the relationship
• Speaking from your own experience rather than blaming
• Staying curious about your partner’s perspective

These small shifts in communication can transform a potentially uncomfortable conversation into an opportunity for greater closeness, trust, and emotional intimacy.

Healthy relationships aren’t defined by avoiding difficult topics — they’re strengthened by the ability to talk about them with care, curiosity, and respect.

02/25/2026

Couples therapy is an opportunity to slow down, come together, and move beyond surface-level conflict into deeper understanding. When partners create space to explore patterns, unmet needs, communication styles, and emotional triggers, they begin to shift from “me vs. you” into a collaborative team mindset. Therapy provides a structured environment where couples can safely unpack challenges, strengthen connection, and build shared strategies that support long-term relationship satisfaction.

Dr. Khaleghian utilizes a strength-based couples therapy approach, meaning treatment does not focus solely on problems, but intentionally highlights the existing resilience, care, commitment, and positive dynamics already present in the relationship. By identifying what is working — moments of effective communication, emotional attunement, shared values, and mutual support — couples are able to leverage these strengths to navigate conflict more effectively, deepen intimacy, and foster sustainable growth.

Couples therapy and premarital therapy can benefit virtually anyone in a relationship. Whether partners are navigating conflict, preparing for marriage, strengthening communication, rebuilding trust, or simply wanting to invest proactively in their bond, therapy offers preventative and growth-oriented benefits. Relationships evolve over time, and having a supportive space to reflect, learn skills, and align goals can significantly enhance relational health, emotional safety, and overall well-being.

02/24/2026

Not everything from our past needs to be labeled as trauma — but our relational patterns often tell a story about what hasn’t been fully processed, understood, or healed.

In romantic relationships, unresolved emotional experiences can show up as fear of vulnerability, difficulty trusting, conflict cycles, emotional withdrawal, or feeling unseen by your partner. These patterns aren’t character flaws — they’re adaptive responses that once made sense.

Healthy relationships don’t eliminate triggers — they create space to understand them.

Couples therapy and relationship work can help partners:• Recognize repeating dynamics• Strengthen emotional safety and communication• Move from reactivity to curiosity• Build secure attachment and deeper intimacy• Heal individually while growing together

Your relationship isn’t just about compatibility — it’s also about awareness, repair, and shared growth.

If you notice familiar patterns surfacing in your partnership, it may be an invitation toward healing rather than a sign something is “wrong.”

02/19/2026

Does s*x affect athletic performance? It’s a question that resurfaces every Olympic cycle — often surrounded by myth, superstition, and outdated coaching beliefs.

Current evidence suggests that s*xual activity itself does not significantly impair strength, aerobic capacity, reaction time, or maximal performance output. Physiologically, the energy expenditure is relatively low, and hormone fluctuations following consensual s*xual activity are typically transient and not performance-limiting.

What does matter are the contextual variables around it. Late nights, poor sleep, emotional dysregulation, dehydration, or distraction can negatively impact readiness — but these factors are independent of s*x itself. When intimacy occurs within a balanced routine that preserves recovery, hydration, and mental focus, there is little evidence of detrimental effects.

In fact, some athletes report perceived benefits including reduced pre-competition anxiety, improved mood, enhanced relaxation, and feelings of connection — all of which can support optimal nervous system regulation and performance consistency.

The takeaway: performance is influenced less by the behavior and more by timing, sleep integrity, psychological state, and individualized routines. High performance is rarely about blanket restriction — it’s about self-awareness, regulation, and intentional preparation.

02/17/2026

Recalculating isn’t failure — it’s growth in motion.

The GPS doesn’t shame you for taking a wrong turn. It simply adjusts the route. That’s resilience. That’s emotional intelligence. That’s mental strength.

In life, career, relationships, recovery, entrepreneurship, fitness, or personal development — detours are data. They’re feedback. They’re information guiding you toward alignment.

You don’t need to label it a mistake.
You need to recalibrate.

Growth mindset means understanding that setbacks are strategy refinements. Resilience is built in the pivot. Confidence is built in the correction. And success is built in the willingness to keep moving.

If you’re in a season of “recalculating,” trust that you are still progressing.

Mental health is not about perfection.
It’s about adaptability.

02/12/2026

Why alcohol harms your brain isn’t just a lifestyle issue — it’s a neurological one.

Alcohol directly impacts the hippocampus (memory formation), the prefrontal cortex (decision-making and impulse control), and long-term mood regulation systems. Research consistently shows that even moderate to heavy alcohol use is associated with:

• Impaired memory consolidation
• Increased anxiety over time
• Higher rates of depression
• Poorer executive functioning
• Disrupted stress response

While alcohol can create temporary relief or a short-lived “buzz,” longitudinal studies show it often worsens anxiety, mood disorders, and overall psychological resilience in the long run.

Mental health and substance use are deeply intertwined. If you’re working on healing anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship stress, alcohol use matters more than most people realize.

Alcohol’s psychological impact isn’t “just in your head.” It changes your brain.

If you’re noticing patterns in your drinking — increased stress, sleep disruption, irritability, or difficulty regulating emotions — that’s clinically significant. Awareness is the first step.

02/07/2026

Moving in together can shift the dynamic of a relationship faster than most couples anticipate. Research on cohabitation shows that nearly half of couples experience a noticeable drop in intimacy within the first year of living together. Not because love disappears — but because novelty fades and everyday stress begins to replace intentional connection.

Shared bills. New routines. Unspoken expectations.
These subtle shifts can quietly take center stage.

Psychologists emphasize that couples who move in with clear communication, defined boundaries, shared goals, and intentional rituals for emotional and physical closeness are significantly more likely to sustain long-term desire and relationship satisfaction.

Intimacy doesn’t simply disappear — it erodes when it’s no longer protected.

If you’re navigating cohabitation, relationship transitions, or looking to strengthen emotional intimacy, proactive communication and intentional connection matter more than most people realize.

Sources: National Marriage Project (University of Virginia); Journal of Social and Personal Relationships; Institute for Family Studies

Address

Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 7pm
Tuesday	8am - 7pm
Wednesday	9am - 7pm
Thursday	8am - 7pm
Friday	8am - 7pm
Saturday	11am - 3pm

Website

http://www.drKtherapy.com/

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About Me

Dr. Khaleghian is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing in the Los Angeles area for the past 10 years. She is dedicated to the well-being of her patients and is committed to helping them achieve their goals.

Her education, training, and ongoing professional experience has prepared her for providing services to adults, adolescents, couples, and families.

Dr. Khaleghian treats people struggling with: Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Relationship and Family Conflict, Divorce, S*xual Dysfunctions, Life Transitions, Stress, and Parenting.