Natasha Saifabad Therapy

ABOUT ME

My Story

I came into this world surrounded by stories,
thanks to my mom’s incredible knack for storytelling, and with the sturdy structure of my dad’s engineering mind. Being the youngest, with my older sister by my side, there was this natural pull to contribute something meaningful to the world. But, you know, life had this way of making me think I had to squeeze into this perfect mold to be loved – a story that kept telling me to stay small and quiet.


So, I got pretty good at mastering the art of being small over the years.
At the age of 11, I confronted the challenging reality that my father grappled with mental health issues. This exposure cast a shadow of anxiety over me, intensifying my feelings of being misunderstood and different from my peers. In this experience, I found comfort through my own therapeutic journey and a robust support system. 

Slowly, I began to unravel the deeply ingrained belief that I was fundamentally different and misunderstood. Step by step, I allowed my true, authentic self to emerge. I discovered the beauty in embracing my humanity-the messy and imperfect parts. No longer confined to a neat and tidy package, I became a real person.

I started showing up-for the world and for myself. In this unfolding process, I not only discovered how to facilitate my own healing but also developed a passion for guiding others along their journey. Armed with warmth, curiosity, and empathy, I acquired therapeutic tools during my undergraduate years at University of California, Irvine and graduate studies at San Diego State University.

Now, I am dedicated to supporting your growth. Through one-on-one sessions, we will discover a transformative journey using EMDR and compassionate talk therapy. As a trained EMDR therapist, I am enthusiastic about using this scientifically researched tool to help you overcome emotional challenges and promote healing. Let’s work together to bring out your vibrant and confident self.

Education and Training

I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with my Bachelor in Psychology and Social Behaviors. My undergraduate education helped me foster a core value of inclusivity and deep respect for people of diverse abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, national origins, gender identities and sexual orientations. After finding joy in supporting others and experiencing personal growth through my own therapy journey, I decided to pursue a counseling graduate degree. I earned my Master of Science in Counseling degree from San Diego State University.

Currently I serve as the Clinical Director at Buckeye Recovery Network, a role that I take great pride in. With a background spanning various clinical environments,  including residential substance abuse and outpatient/partial hospitalization community mental health facilities, I’ve acquired valuable experience. My dedication to helping adults from diverse backgrounds who have experienced complex trauma led me to pursue EMDR training through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) in 2023. I am committed to ongoing education and training, consistently expanding my knowledge and clinical skills through workshops, consultations, and collaboration with colleagues. This commitment allows me to offer personalized and tailored therapeutic approaches for each of my clients.