Nadja Catano

My name is Nadja Schlabitz Catano and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Los Angeles, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in complex trauma, infidelity, and recovery, using Psychodynamic Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and EMDR to help my clients increase their mindfulness, integrate their experiences, and feel better.

My approach

Depending on the individual needs of the clients I work with, I use Psychodynamic Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy ability to to increase the client's self-awareness and ability to self-regulate and make informed choices. I also utilize Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and 8-phase trauma treatment, to assist clients in "digesting" traumatic experiences and move forward.

My focus

I work with people who have had challenging or traumatic childhoods, and are often stuck in dysfunctional relational and problem-solving cycles with minimal support. I work to improve my clients' ways of dealing with unresolved betrayal trauma and childhood abuse, increase their stabilization and self-regulation skills, and make the most of their highly resilient and creative persistence in getting through life.

My communication style

My communication style is calm, straight-forward, personable, and gentle. I work at accepting clients where they are, without judgment.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have always been a good listener and fascinated with people's stories. My work as a volunteer mother-to-mother community breastfeeding counselor has improved my communication skills and awareness of personal biases, individuality, and early mother-baby attachment. My experiences in 12-Step recovery and work with betrayed spouses has increased my learning on boundaries, addictive coping, and dysfunctional perceptions. I enjoy assisting people grow and develop into their full capacity.

My goals for you

My approach to setting goals with clients starts by exploring what works and what doesn't work and why. This begins by building trust through listening to why you are in therapy and what it might look like if things were improving.

My first session with you

During a first session, we would spend most of our time talking about what brought you into therapy, building an initial connection, and getting to know where you would like to go. I usually ask a lot of questions to better understand some of why you have been feeling the way you do and listen to understand what might work best to help you feel better.