Ann Holabird

My name is Ann Holabird and I've been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) for 18 years. Although my practice is based in Pasadena, California, I work with clients all across the state via telehealth.

My approach

As a family systems therapist, I believe that our family of origin plays a major role in shaping our thoughts, beliefs, values, and most importantly, our coping mechanisms. Defined as behaviors, cognitions, and perceptions that we engage when contending with intense stressors, coping skills aren't exclusively developed out of trauma. They can be shaped by something as simple as being the oldest, youngest, middle, first-generation, or only child. Difficulties arise, however, when we leave the original family system and enter new relationships. Our primary coping skills, and the familiar roles we played in our family system, just aren't serving us as well as they had in the past. Together, we can explore these ways of coping and the roles played in our family of origin in order to find new, growth-oriented solutions to life's present stressors.

My focus

Throughout my years as a therapist, I've worked with many populations and addressed many mental health conditions. In working with telehealth, however, I've found that teens through older adults adapt best to the teletherapy format. Similarly, certain presenting problems are more effectively treated via video than others. For example, mood disorders (such as anxiety, grief, and depression), life transitions, couples counseling, and self-esteem issues are particularly responsive to online talk therapy.

My communication style

I strive to always create a value-neutral environment within my sessions. This is especially important to me because I cannot help a client who does not feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues which are often at the root of many presenting problems. We cannot repair or improve behaviors that are not brought into the session. Similarly, I approach the client with the understanding that I do not know them better than they know themselves. Therapy is a collaborative journey that we embark on together.

My journey to mental healthcare

During our first session, I will ask many background questions and will focus a good deal on the family of origin history. This may initially feel unnecessary as most clients will want to go directly to discuss their presenting problem. The reason I do this, though, is because there is so much information in the family background that will inform me as to how and why the presenting problem is affecting you. It actually speeds up the process by providing me with important insight into the person who is joining me on this journey of self-discovery and growth.

My goals for you

I initially started out wanting to be a broadcast journalist. I wanted to tell people's stories in a way that gave them a voice and a means to be heard. After spending a few years in the news industry, however, I became very disillusioned. I sought a more productive way of helping others tell their story. I began working at a residential treatment center for severely emotionally disturbed (SED) children, then moved on to working with rape, incest, and molestation survivors, and later with gang-affiliated youth in South Central Los Angeles. Every client that I have had the pleasure to work with has left an indelible mark on me. I consider being a therapist a great privilege, as well as an important responsibility.

My first session with you

Goal setting will always be a collaborative process. During our initial session, we will discuss goals and together we'll set manageable, attainable targets. As therapy continues, the original set of goals may shift due to new insights that arise out of our sessions. I am open to adjusting goals at any point and often find a new perspective to be a sign of growth.