Tamala Takahashi

 

​​Couples Counseling with Tamala

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Hi, I’m Tamala!

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I’ve been married to my husband for 27 years, and together we’ve navigated the joys and challenges of life, including raising three adult children. These personal experiences as a partner and parent deeply inform my work as a therapist, helping me bring empathy, compassion, and real-world understanding to couples therapy.
 

After a fulfilling first career in nonprofit consulting, I decided to focus on helping couples heal and grow in their relationships. Today, I specialize in guiding couples to reconnect, improve communication, and build healthier, more fulfilling partnerships.
 

Relationships can be beautiful and rewarding, but they also take intentional effort—and I’m here to support you in that journey with tools and strategies tailored to your unique relationship.
 

Helping Couples Reconnect
 

Couples therapy is a space where you and your partner can work together to strengthen your bond, resolve conflicts, and develop a deeper understanding of each other. Many of the couples I work with come to therapy feeling stuck in patterns of miscommunication, frustration, or emotional disconnection. My role is to help you navigate those challenges and build the relationship you envision.

Here are some areas we focus on in therapy:
 

• Improving communication: Learning how to share your thoughts and feelings openly while responding to your partner with empathy.
   

• Resolving conflicts: Identifying patterns of disagreement and working toward constructive solutions that respect both partners’ needs.
   

• Rebuilding trust: Addressing past hurts and creating a foundation of mutual respect and security.
   

• Enhancing emotional intimacy: Strengthening your connection by fostering understanding and closeness.
   

• Navigating life transitions: Supporting your relationship through changes such as parenting, empty nesting, or career shifts.
   

My Therapeutic Philosophy
 

I believe relationships are shaped by a blend of individual experiences, emotional histories, and learned behaviors. Every couple brings their own unique dynamic into therapy, influenced by past relationships, societal expectations, and family patterns. My approach is to honor these complexities while creating a stable, supportive space for couples to work through challenges.
 

Many couples face mixed messages in today’s world: the pressure to have a "perfect" relationship, the influence of social media, and the struggle to balance independence with interdependence. These factors can create confusion and tension in relationships. My goal is to help couples cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters to them.
 

I also recognize that each partner in a relationship comes with their own strengths, vulnerabilities, and ways of processing the world. Therapy is a space where we can explore those differences, build self-awareness, and learn how to navigate them with compassion and patience.
 

Ultimately, I see therapy as a collaborative process. I work with couples to identify their goals, challenge unhelpful patterns, and develop practical tools for long-term success. Through acceptance, kindness, and a focus on meaningful growth, I help couples rediscover connection and create a relationship that feels strong and supportive.
 

You’re Not Alone
 

Relationships can feel overwhelming at times, especially when it seems like the same arguments or challenges keep coming up. Maybe you feel like your partner doesn’t understand you, or you’re unsure how to break out of old patterns. It’s easy to feel stuck or isolated, but you don’t have to navigate this alone.
 

Therapy provides a space where both partners can feel heard, validated, and supported. Whether you’re working through communication challenges, healing from past hurts, or rebuilding your connection, I’m here to guide you through the process.
 

You Can Create a Better Relationship
 

The fact that you’re here shows you care about your relationship, and that’s something to celebrate! Seeking support is a powerful first step, especially if the strategies you’ve been using aren’t working as well anymore.
 

Therapy is an opportunity to learn new tools, strengthen your bond, and create the relationship you’ve been striving for. I’m here to help you find clarity, build confidence, and create a more connected partnership.

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Areas of focus

• Couples Therapy

• Parenting Support

• Adult diagnosed/suspected ADHD/Autism/AuDHD

• ADHD/AuDHD with anxiety and depression

• Women/Non-binary with ADHD/AuDHD

• cPTSD and Trauma

• Adolescent diagnosed/suspected ADHD/Autism/AuDHD

• Parents of adolescent/adult neurodiverse children

• Childhood emotional neglect/emotional abuse 

• Adult neurodiverse relationships with parents and other family members

• Empty nest/menopause transitions

• Multi-cultural relationships/families

• Intersection of neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ 

• Young adult launching (college, early career, living away from parents, adult relationships)

• Self Esteem and Assertiveness

• Social media/video game addiction

• Religious/cult abuse recovery

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Modalities

• Client-centered Therapy

• Trauma Informed Therapy (CTP certified)

• Solution Focused Therapy 

• Strengths-Based Approach

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Somatic Therapy for Trauma

• Tarot Therapy

• Positive Psychology

• Relationship Anarchy approach: 

  • anti-hierarchical practices (everyone in the relationship is equal)

  • anti-normativity (every relationship’s success criteria is unique to them)

  • interdependency (partners can share feelings and needs openly and safely)

  • individual autonomy (each partner is a complete human on their own)

 

​License & Certifications

• ​Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist, AMFT 145570

• Registered Professional Clinical Counselor

• Certified Trauma Professional (CTP)

• Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

• Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc.

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Education

• Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University of Los Angeles

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