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MARIYA MILAN

Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist 
 
AMFT #123031
Supervised by JS Very (Giovanni Trimble), LMFT 107074

What to expect from our Psychotherapy sessions

I want to be your sparkle homie (a.k.a. therapist).

 

What does it mean to be a sparkle homie? To me, a sparkle homie is a person that “gets you” where you are at. As a therapist (and sparkle homie), I seek to affirm, understand, and truly see folks. I utilize holistic, play, and nerd/geek-friendly therapies to be a partner in folks’ journey towards wholeness.

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When working with all folks, no matter their age, I seek to utilize the “language of play” to access and honor an individual’s varied and unique competencies. The “language of play”, in my more modernized usage of the phrase, is the integration of gaming in all forms into the therapy process. 

 

Through the integration of geek, nerd, and gaming culture into the therapy process, I seek to understand clients on the basis of their personal passions. I want to know what a person’s game, anime, or comic of choice says about them and the hopes and strengths that they possess. 

 

In addition to being fully immersed in nerd/geek culture, I have lived much of my life as a “bigger gal” and know what it is like to not be seen because people see too much of you. Because of this, it is my honor to offer a space that can hold all people. 

 

As a Black and proudly plus-sized person, my therapy is fat-friendly and body glorifying. All bodies, existences, and spirits are welcome to explore their selfhood without judgment or shame.

 

It is my goal to be a client’s partner in their efforts to remain sparkly. I believe that within everyone exists the strength, ability, and aptitude to attain (or maintain) a preferred future. 

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Mariya is currently booked and not accepting new clients. If you would like to book a free vibe check with another compassionate, accepting, and validating providers, visit our sister org, Chosen Family Sanctuary

or click the booking link below.

mariya gamer.jpeg

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

About Me

I am a Southern California native that has worked as a tutor, educator, and therapist. Much of my work has been as a partner to teens as they navigate the personal and socio-cultural changes inherent in high school, college, and early adulthood.

My Experience

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I have experience working in a low cost/no-fee clinic (Pepperdine University Community Counseling Center) as well as a school (Blind Children’s Learning Center).
• I am an ardent LGBTQ+ ally and volunteered at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach (doing HIV/AIDS outreach)
during my time as an undergraduate student. 

Areas of Focus

I seek to craft a therapy experience that is individualized to each client. To this end, I draw from a variety of modalities and areas of focus in my practice. 

  • Nerd/Geek Conscious Therapy 

  • Narrative Therapy 

  • Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT)

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Play Therapy (for all ages)

  • Game Therapy

  • LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy

  • Body Positive/Fat-Friendly Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Therapy with Children and Teens

My Education

  • Concordia University Irvine, B.A. Psychology With Minors in Creative Writing & Sociology (2015)

  • Pepperdine University, M.A. Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (2021)

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