Meet Lilit Melik-Bakhshyan

We recently connected with Lilit Melik-Bakhshyan and have shared our conversation below.

Lilit, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My confidence and self-esteem have been shaped by a variety of factors rather than a single defining experience. A significant contributor has been my understanding of who I am and the unique gifts I have to offer the world. I strongly believe that each of us has a purpose, and that I am here to create something that only I can offer. By being self-aware and recognizing my strengths, flaws, quirks, and limitations, I am able to fully embrace my identity. Another important factor is my work ethic and consistency. For more than 10 years, I have had a healthy lifestyle including working out regularly 4-5 times a week and challenging myself to exceed my limits. Setting goals for myself and pushing my own limits has made me stronger. I have found that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, and watching myself surpass the goals I have set for myself has instilled a deep sense of confidence within me. I often advise my clients to keep the promises they make to themselves, because once they become accountable to themselves, they realize the power they possess and the obstacles they can overcome. Consistently working towards my goals week after week, year after year, and staying true to my word has been an incredible experience. Additionally, I try to hold onto the spirited, sassy character I had as a child and learn from her. As children, we are true to our essence and connect with our energy and being. As adults, we sometimes develop limiting beliefs that hold us back. By remembering who I was before I was influenced by the world around me, I am able to maintain my confidence and stay true to my authentic self.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have my own private practice with a current focus on tele-therapy (although this may change). Tele-therapy has proven to be an effective approach for my clients, offering time efficiency and the convenience of receiving therapy from the comfort of their own homes. I consider myself an artist of the mind and soul, with my recent painting series featuring females with blooming flowers in place of their heads serving as a representation of my therapeutic work. Through therapy, my clients can bloom and blossom into the person they were always meant to be, with my guidance. I work closely with my clients to help them understand their behavior patterns by exploring their past experiences and focusing on how they can improve their present circumstances. My ultimate goal is to help my clients achieve freedom and become their ideal selves. I highly value the interactive fit between myself and my clients, and welcome discussions in order to ensure the best possible therapeutic experience. Drawing on my background working at a psychiatric hospital, I strive to understand my clients’ troubles and explore the patterns of behavior that may be hindering their growth. I provide a safe and welcoming environment in which we can work collaboratively to make meaningful changes and develop new patterns to help my clients feel better and live peaceful lives. Finally, I firmly believe that a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle is essential to achieving a fulfilling quality of life. I encourage my clients to incorporate movement and an active lifestyle into their daily routines, offering psychotherapy as a tool to help them work through their difficulties, reveal their inner strengths, and guide their lives towards fulfillment.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Consistency is vital for me, especially when things fall apart and nothing makes sense. It is crucial to focus on what needs to be done without getting distracted by when or how. What we do every day matters, and it’s essential to show up, day after day, regardless of the lack of progress or outcome. When practicing consistency, it’s crucial to remember why you started and remind yourself where you want to go. Success is tied to daily habits, so it’s vital to be mindful of your daily habits.

Resilience is another skill that I value highly. I have learned to make friends with change, embrace it, and welcome feedback and redirection from others. A supervisor once told me “You are like a sponge, you take redirection and feedback and make the proper changes.” The ability to learn something new and adapt to change with flexibility is a valuable trait that has served me well. If faced with changes, it’s essential to ask yourself what discomfort you are experiencing and why you are hesitant to be flexible. Understanding your attachment to rigidity and discomfort with change is key. Self-awareness and journaling can help you develop this skill. Practice being the “alien” by forgetting everything you know and learned, being curious, and seeing things from different perspectives. It’s essential to see the world or people from a beginner’s mindset instead of an “expert” mindset, as this approach allows for a more open and understanding perspective.

Understanding is a skill that I have developed since a young age. When presented with information about someone, I feel compelled to see things from their perspective, as they may not be present to defend themselves. As a psychotherapist, this skill is especially helpful in understanding my clients’ perspectives and stories without judgment or attachment.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
If you’re someone who values the mind-body connection and embraces authentic self-expression, I’d love to collaborate with you. I’m drawn to healers who value authenticity, self-improvement, and holistic health. I’d love to work with you if you’re involved in practices such as meditation, psychotherapy, yoga, holistic health and who are passionate about sharing their knowledge through workshops and podcasts. I have some ideas in mind, and I’m ready to work with individuals who are devoted to their calling. If this sounds like you, please feel free to email me at therapybylilit@gmail.com and include “Collaboration from Article” in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you

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