How Dr. Violet works:
I founded my private practice, Harmony Psychotherapy, with the core principle that through therapy, we can achieve harmony by aligning our goals with our actions.
I decided to specialize in child and family therapy because decades of research have shown that the parent-child dyad and the family environment—which includes all primary caregivers—are at the foundation of children’s well-being and healthy development.
Even the best parent-child relationships face challenges over time. In sessions, parents and kids can learn ways of connecting to continue to nurture that important & meaningful relationship for their future years together.
In treating children, my approach is holistic, meaning I work closely with the parents because:
From birth, children learn and rely on parents and the other caregivers in their lives to protect and care for them.
Parents help children build and refine their knowledge and skills, charting their health and well-being trajectory during childhood and beyond. The experience of parenting also impacts parents themselves. For instance, parenting can enrich and focus on parents’ lives; generate stress or calm; and create any number of emotions, including feelings of happiness, sadness, fulfillment, and anger.
The impact of parents may never be greater than during the earliest years of life, when a child’s brain is rapidly developing and when nearly all of their experiences are created and shaped by parents and the family environment.
Meet Dr. Violet
Since childhood, I have naturally been interested in listening and talking to people. I remember that in 7th grade, classmates or friends came to talk to me from time to time to share what they had on their minds. They’d talk about their feelings and what their struggles were. Although I didn’t know it then, years later, this led me to pursue a career in psychology, specializing in the field of child and family psychotherapy.
Growing up on 3 different continents ignited a profound interest in human development. I became fascinated with how people’s mindsets and perspectives can have a deep and lasting impact on their life. This realization empowers one to make this very impact one towards progress & growth. Psychotherapy provides opportunity to make this impact healing, and to experience repair after rupture.
Living in different countries and growing up in multi-cultural communities widened my perspective on human behavior and emotions. As a teen, I realized that we all have needs for love, support, and connection regardless of our roots or the languages we speak.
My professional development gave me clinical experience working with a diverse client population.
EDUCATION:
2007 -- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Emphasis: Individual, Family, Child.
Alliant International University, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, CA (APA-approved)
1999 -- M.A. Psychology, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education & Psychology, Culver City, CA
1993 -- B.A. Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Mesrkhani is tri-lingual and can offer therapy services also in Armenian and German.
TEACHING & OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Consultant/Instructor of ‘Tobacco Use Prevention & Education’ (TUPE) Classes:
October 2005 – Present
Glendale Unified School District, Glendale, CA
Educate middle school, high school students and their parents about the dangers of tobacco use & methods of cessation; designed curriculum and organized lecture materials to incorporate not only fundamentals, such as the concepts of physical and psychological addiction but also more in-depth study of practical tools students can use to quit or improve their physical and emotional functioning.
NTT Assistant Professor: Fall 2016 Occidental College, Dept. of Psychology
Teaching Introduction to Psychology Course (Psychology 101)
Lecturer: Spring 2014 & Fall 2016
California State University, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology
Adjunct Faculty, Teaching Intro to Clinical & Counseling Psychology (upper-division class).
Co-translator: 1999
Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA
Co-Translator of a book entitled “Jungian Psychotherapy and Contemporary Infant Research: Basic Patterns of Emotional Exchange” by Mario Jacoby (1999), from German into English. (Publisher: Routledge, London).
PUBLICATIONS
Mintzer, L., Stuber, M., Seacord, D., Castañeda, M., Mesrkhani, V., Glover, D., (2005). Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Adolescent Organ Transplant Recipients. Pediatrics, 115(6):1640-4.
Young, G., Mintzer, L, Castañeda, M., Seacord, D. Mesrkhani, V., Stuber, M. (2003). Posttraumatic response to pediatric organ transplantation in mothers. Pediatrics
Young, G., Mintzer, L., Seacord, D., Castañeda, M., Mesrkhani, V., Stuber, M. (2003). Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Parents of Transplant Recipients: Incidence, Severity, and Related Factors. Pediatrics, 111,(6): 725-731. www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/111/6/e725
Stuber, M., Mesrkhani, V. (2001). “What do we tell the children?” Understanding Childhood Grief. Western Journal of Medicine, 174, 187-191.
www.ewjm.com/cgi/content/full/174/3/187
PUBLICATIONS
Mintzer, L., Stuber, M., Seacord, D., Castañeda, M., Mesrkhani, V., Glover, D., (2005). Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Adolescent Organ Transplant Recipients. Pediatrics, 115(6):1640-4.
Young, G., Mintzer, L, Castañeda, M., Seacord, D. Mesrkhani, V., Stuber, M. (2003). Posttraumatic response to pediatric organ transplantation in mothers. Pediatrics
Young, G., Mintzer, L., Seacord, D., Castañeda, M., Mesrkhani, V., Stuber, M. (2003). Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Parents of Transplant Recipients: Incidence, Severity, and Related Factors. Pediatrics, 111,(6): 725-731. www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/111/6/e725
Stuber, M., Mesrkhani, V. (2001). “What do we tell the children?” Understanding Childhood Grief. Western Journal of Medicine, 174, 187-191.
www.ewjm.com/cgi/content/full/174/3/187
SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP): Evidenced-based Practice Training: Dyadic attachment-based treatment for young children exposed to interpersonal violence: The primary goal of CPP is to support and strengthen the relationship between a child and his or her parent (or caregiver) as a vehicle for restoring the child's sense of safety, attachment, and appropriate effect and improving the child's cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. Integrates a focus on how trauma has affected the parent-child relationship and the family’s connection to their culture and cultural beliefs, spirituality, intergenerational trauma transmission, historical trauma, immigration experiences, parenting practices, and traditional cultural values. February, August 2011, organized by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Presenter: Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D., Griselda Oliver Bucio, LMFT
MAP: Managing and Adapting Practice: A New Evidenced-Based Approach to Psychotherapy for Childhood Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and Behavior Problems. June 13-17-2011 (40 hours) at Didi Hirsch MHS, Culver City, CA.
Trainers: Alyssa Ward, Ph.D. & Michelle Levy, Ph.D.
Bringing Grief out of the Closet: Presented by Laura Schneider, LCSW 1-2012
Crisis Intervention: (6 hrs) August 2011, Didi Hirsch MHS, Glendale, CA.
Trainer: Nancy Kirshberg, LCSW.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Children & Adolescents: A components-based model of psychotherapy that addresses the unique needs of children with PTSD symptoms, depression, behavior problems and other difficulties related to traumatic life experiences.
July 11-13, 2011 (16 hrs)at Didi Hirsch MHS, Culver City,
Trainer: Lisette Rivas-Hermina, LMFT.
Positive Parenting Program (Triple P): Accredited Provider of Level 4 Standard Triple P. 12-2011. Triple P draws on social learning, cognitive-behavioral and developmental theory, as well as research into risk and protective factors associated with the development of social and behavioral problems in children.
Seeking Safety: An Evidence-Based Practice for Trauma & Substance Abuse,
April 2010, organized by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Pasadena, CA
Integrated Screening, Assessment, & Brief Intervention for Co-occurring Disorders, February 2008, organized by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health & UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program
You’re Not “Just Playing”: The Power of Play in the Treatment of Children & Adolescents, November 2007, sponsored by Verdugo Mental Health – Children’s Services and FrontPoint Child & Family Therapy, Glendale, CA
The Neurobiology of Addiction: Simplified and Updated, May 2004, organized by Los Angeles County Department of Mental, Los Angeles, CA
March 2020: CALAPT Northern California Regional Play Therapy Conference with Eliana Gil, Ph.D., RPT-S, ATR: The Use of Art, Play, & Other Expressive Therapies for Assessment of Children
Presented by: Eliana Gil, Ph.D., RPT-S, ATR
August 2020: Ethical Decision-Making in Play Therapy: Models and Applications
Presenter: Jeff Ashby, PhD, RPT-S
September 2020: “Using Play Therapy to Address Topics in Adoption”
Presented by Edythe “Edye” Swidler, LMFT
November 2020: “Trauma and the Brain & Body: Conceptualizing Play Therapy From the Bottom Up”
Presented by Dr. Renee Turner PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S
November 2020: You’re Never Too Old to Play: Play Therapy with Adults
Presented by Dr. Lisa Shadburn, PsyD, RPT-S
November 2020: Creativity & Expressive Arts in Play Therapy During Challenging Times (At Home, In Nature and Over a Screen)
Presented by Jamie Lynn Langley, LCSW, RPT-S
February 2021: Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Prevention: Restoring Hope to Youth in Play Therapy
Presented by Leslie Baker, MFT, NCC, RPT-S and Mary Ruth Cross, MFT, NCC, RPT-S
March 2021: CALAPT SoCal Play Therapy Conference 2021
TraumaPlay®: Holding Hard Stories and Healing the Hurt with Presenter:
Paris Goodyear-Brown, LCSW, RPT-S, is the creator of TraumaPlay®, a flexibly sequential play therapy model for treating trauma.
April 2021: Digital Play Therapy
Presented by: Dr. Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S
June 2021: Playing Perfectly: A Play Therapist’s Guide for Working with OCD in Play Therapy
Working with Aggression and Intensity in the Playroom
Presented by: Lisa Dion, LCP, RPT-S
August 2021: Managing Big Behaviors and Feelings through Art
Presented by: Erica Curtis LMFT, ATR-BC
May 2022: Child-Parent Relationship Therapy: Introduction to a Play Therapy Approach with Parents
Ultimate Partnership in Play Therapy: Processes and Concepts to Make Your Parent Consultations More Effective
Presented by: Dee C. Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, CCPT/CPRT Trainer
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & AWARDS:
Board of Directors Member: California Association of Play Therapy serving in the position of Continuing Education Manager, 1/2020 – Present, https://calplaytherapy.org/
Armenian-American Mental Health Association Member
California Psychological Association Member
Member of Safe & Drug-free schools advisory committee at GUSD: 2010 – Present
Member of Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition:
www.cv-alliance.org, 2012 -- Present
Character & Ethics Award: Nov. 2015 Awarded by the Hoover High School TUPE Program at Glendale Unified School District and Certificates of Recognition signed by Congressman Adam Schiff, CA Senator Carol Liu, CA Assemblymember Mike Gatto, L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, City of Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian
Advisory Board Member of Haik Project (formerly known as Armenian Child Wellness Foundation): 2-2013 – Present: Haik Project is a community non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families by advocating natural childbirth and free parenting of birth and childhood traumas. www.haikproject.org, 3/2013 - Present
Advisor of the Strategic Planning Committee at Homenetmen Western U.S.A. The region, Glendale Ararat Chapter, to develop and oversee the Chapter’s long-term strategic plan with a focus on realizing the chapter’s mission and core values through quality athletic, scouting, and educational programs. www.ararat.org, 2019.
Treasurer of General Athletic Executive Committee at Homenetmen Western U.S.A. The region, Glendale Ararat Chapter. Athletic & Scouting is a non-profit organization that oversees youth and adult athletic and scouting programs. www.ararat.org, 1/2018 – 11/2018
Chairperson of GUSD Healthy Start Collaborative: 9/2010 – 6/2012: conducting monthly Healthy Start meetings: Glendale Healthy Start’s mission is to improve the lives of children and families by providing school support programs and improving family health and social functioning and offering assistance with basic needs.
