Galina Zlotnikova

I am a marriage and family therapist licensed in California. I specialize in working with people who've experienced emotional and physical abuse, trauma, and also with with people living with chronic and invisible illness and their caregivers.

I specialize in trauma because both research and clinical experience reveal that trauma—particularly early childhood trauma—often is at the root cause of many challenges people face throughout their lives. These challenges can include relational, family, and social conflicts, as well as depression, anxiety, addiction, and both mental and physical illnesses.

My interest in working with chronic illness comes from both personal and professional experience. Drawing from my own journey with illness and trauma, I spent many years studying mind-body therapies to better understand the underlying causes of these conditions. My goal has always been to identify the most effective and practical treatments—approaches that are gentle and manageable for individuals already coping with health challenges.

I recognize that for trauma survivors, symptoms often become a substitute for memories. In my practice, I create a warm, compassionate environment where every client is met with curiosity and care. I strive to understand you from your unique perspective and support you in reconnecting with parts of yourself that feel hurt, neglected, anxious, or overwhelmed. Regardless of your past experiences or present struggles, my hope is to help you build the resilience and self-compassion necessary to lead a meaningful, healthy, and fulfilling life.