Hourig Kalajian , LMFT

Hourig Kalajian, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), recognizes that taking the first step into therapy can feel confusing and overwhelming. She focuses on easing anxieties by creating a calming, supportive environment where emotions can be acknowledged and explored. Embracing a holistic perspective, she sees people as whole individuals rather than separating mental health from everyday life, and she applies tailored interventions to meet each person’s unique needs and goals. Her practice emphasizes a person-centered approach that adapts to the pace and preferences of the individual, addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal and interracial relationship issues, and related challenges.

She has 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents who face emotional difficulties, delivering services across schools, homes, and community settings and employing play therapy techniques when appropriate. She currently provides school-based therapy to students with emotional disturbances, drawing on her history with youth to inform a compassionate, developmentally attuned practice.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Hourig integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify what matters most to them and take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. ACT can be useful for anxiety, stress, and navigating life transitions by focusing on values-guided behavior rather than avoidance.

She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to create an accepting and empathetic space where clients lead the pace of exploration. This approach supports self-understanding, relationship concerns, caregiver stress, and identity-related struggles by centering the client’s experience.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another tool in her practice, offering practical strategies to identify and adjust unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT can assist with symptoms of depression, panic, social anxiety, and coping with everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Hourig collaborates with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as therapy progresses. Licensed professionals often combine techniques to fit a client’s situation.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility and accessibility, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, manage caregiving responsibilities, or bridge geographic gaps. These options help clients maintain continuity of care and receive support in ways that align with their daily lives.