In-Person in Valley Village, CA 91607
Online in California, Florida
Relationships can bring our deepest joy, but they can also surface painful patterns. If you and your partner find yourselves caught in the same arguments, struggling to truly hear one another, or feeling emotionally distant, you’re not alone. Many couples reach a point where communication breaks down and the connection they once felt begins to feel strained or uncertain. Sometimes earlier life experiences, family patterns, or stressors quietly shape the way we relate, making it harder to stay close even when the love is still there.
With more than two decades of experience working with couples, I help partners slow down the cycle of conflict and understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in relational and attachment-based work. I support couples in developing healthier communication, repairing emotional wounds, and building a stronger foundation of trust and intimacy. I’m also particularly attuned to the needs of highly sensitive people and those who want a thoughtful, depth-oriented approach to relationship growth.
Whether you’re preparing for a deeper commitment, working to repair trust after a rupture, or trying to rediscover connection after years together, therapy can offer a meaningful path forward. I also support individuals navigating dating, heartbreak, or relationship transitions. Together we’ll work toward clearer communication, emotional safety, and a relationship that feels more conscious, supportive, and alive.
If you’d like to explore whether this work might be a good fit, feel free to reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Buddhist, Christian, Hispanic / Latino, LGBTQ+, Military / Veterans, Native American, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Christian Counseling Blends psychological practices with Christian values and scripture. It provides faith-based support for life challenges and spiritual growth.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Contemplative Psychotherapy Combines mindfulness and meditation practices with modern psychology. It encourages awareness and compassion as part of the healing process.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Hypnotherapy Uses guided relaxation and focus to access the subconscious mind. It is often used for habits, anxiety, and pain management.
- Imago Relationship Therapy Helps couples understand how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. It teaches communication techniques to deepen connection.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Jungian Therapy Draws on Carl Jung’s ideas about archetypes, dreams, and the collective unconscious. It helps people explore deeper layers of meaning.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Schema Therapy Identifies deep-rooted negative patterns formed in childhood. It combines CBT, attachment theory, and experiential methods for change.
- Transpersonal Therapy Integrates spirituality and higher states of consciousness with psychology. It encourages growth beyond the individual self.
Approach Description: I work from an attachment-based, trauma-informed lens, primarily using the work of Gottman and Emotionally Focused Therapy as a foundation. I integrate somatic tracking, parts work, and structured communication exercises to help couples notice reactivity, regulate their nervous systems, and repair ruptures safely. My focus is on the move away from debating content and toward helping partners understand what’s happening beneath the surface, so they can move from blame or escalation into connection, curiosity, and meaningful repair. I use Non-Violent Communication in my work to assist in this process.
Education & Credentials
Layla Ashley Psychotherapy LMFT
- Female
- License # 40157
- Licensed in CA
- Practicing Since 2003
Education: My background in Psychology is complemented by degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies, which shape my passion for guiding people as they explore life purpose, meaning, and their spiritual journey.
Finances
Fees
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I understand that therapy can be a meaningful investment, and I offer a limited number of reduced-fee or sliding-scale appointments based on availability and financial need. If cost is a concern, you are welcome to reach out to discuss current options.
- Accepts Insurance
- Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Health Net
Layla Ashley Psychotherapy Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Valley Village, CA 91607
- Available Online for residents of California, Florida
- Online Therapy Details: I am accepting new clients & available by Telehealth (phone or video).
My practice centers on couples who want to feel heard, understood, and genuinely connected. I support partners in navigating recurring conflicts, relational anxiety, and patterns that feel “stuck.” I combine evidence‑based frameworks with mind-body awareness to help couples notice the subtle dynamics driving their reactions, regulate emotions, and repair ruptures. My approach is practical yet deeply relational, and sessions focus on creating clarity, empathy, and sustainable change within the relationship.