Therapy with Larissa Mozes

11/20/2025

Being a therapist means living with a lot of uncertainty. There is no clear blueprint, no universal checklist, no moment where a bell rings and tells you that you got it right. Therapy is abstract, it is human, it is layered. That is part of what makes this work both challenging and meaningful.

I remind myself often that the goal is not right or wrong. The goal is to help someone’s life become a little lighter, a little clearer, a little more possible.

This work is not about perfection, it is about presence. It is about showing up consistently, listening with care, and holding space for someone to explore their inner world without fear of judgment. And if a client can breathe a little easier because I am there with them, then that is what good therapy looks like.

11/11/2025

Not Everyone Loves the Holidays — And That’s Okay.

The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, connection, and celebration. But for many people, this time of year can bring up loneliness, grief, stress, or painful memories. The constant messages about cheer and togetherness can make it feel like there’s something “wrong” if you’re not feeling festive, but there isn’t.

You don’t have to love the holidays to be okay. You don’t have to force smiles or participate in traditions that feel heavy. It’s completely valid to set boundaries, simplify your plans, or take space to care for yourself.

As a therapist, I see how stigma around “holiday happiness” can make people feel even more isolated. So if this season feels difficult, please know you’re not alone.

Take care of yourself the way you need to, not the way others think you should.

10/24/2025

Larissa Mozes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications from the University of Dubuque and her Master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brandman University.

Larissa’s clinical focus includes supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodivergence, and major life transitions. She also has extensive experience working with clients within the LGBTQ+ community and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and gender-identity backgrounds.

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused approaches, Larissa provides a safe and supportive space where clients can heal, grow, and build confidence to become the best version of themselves.

10/15/2025

💛 Therapist moment of reflection 💛

I saw my own therapist today and want to give her a shout-out. She reminded me that we don’t have to be the perfect person and took a moment to acknowledge all the hats I wear. She called me a good therapist, a good mom, a good daughter, and a good wife, and I cried.

Not because those things aren’t true but because we don’t always hear them. So many of us move through life in fight-or-flight mode just trying to stay afloat. Her words reminded me how powerful it is to be seen and affirmed.

As therapists, parents, partners, and friends, we all need that reminder. Let’s make it a practice to see and speak life into the people around us. You never know who needs to hear it today.

09/11/2025

As a trauma therapist, I do a lot to keep my own mindset healthy.
I spend my days listening to people share their hardest and most painful experiences. It is an honor, and it also means I need to be intentional about taking care of myself.

Some of the little things that help me are:
• Pausing for a deep breath between sessions
• Getting outside for fresh air or a short walk
• Checking in with my own feelings through
journaling
• Leaning on friends, family, or my own therapist
• Practicing mindfulness to bring myself back
into the present moment

These rituals remind me that I cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of myself allows me to keep showing up with presence and compassion for the people I work with.

If you also carry a lot, whether in your work or your personal life, I hope you give yourself permission to find practices that refill you too.

08/23/2025

🌈 Today is National Rainbow Baby Day.
A rainbow baby is a child born after loss, a symbol of hope and healing after the storm.

To all the families who have endured heartbreak and found strength through grief, today honors your journey. To the rainbow babies who bring light after loss, you are reminders of resilience and love.

If you are still waiting for your rainbow, please know you are not alone and your story matters too.

💜 Sending love to all parents, little ones, and angels remembered today.

07/08/2025

07/04/2025

July is Bereaved Parents Awareness Month

To every parent who has lost a child, your grief is real, deep, and valid. There are no words that can truly measure the depth of your pain or the strength it takes to carry it each day.

As a therapist, I want to remind you that you do not have to walk through this alone. Grief has no timeline, and healing does not mean forgetting. It means finding ways to live while continuing to honor the love that will never fade.

This month, we hold space for you. We remember your child. We recognize your heartache. And we support your journey, wherever you are on it.

You are not alone. Your story matters. Your love endures.

06/18/2025

Political tension and global uncertainty can leave many of us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even helpless. Constant news updates, division, and unpredictability can activate our nervous systems and make it hard to focus, sleep, or feel safe.

Anxiety in these times isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a natural response to a world that feels unstable.

Here are a few grounding reminders:
• It’s okay to take breaks from the news
• Focus on what’s within your control (like your routines, boundaries, and values)
• Connect with others who share your concerns or offer support
• You’re allowed to care deeply and still protect your peace

You’re not imagining it. This is a hard time. But you don’t have to push through it alone. Be gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can.

05/24/2025

These days, it feels like so many people are carrying heavy loads—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Whether it’s the stress of daily life, personal struggles, or the weight of the world around us, it’s clear: times are really hard right now.

In the midst of it all, mental health matters more than ever. It’s not always easy to talk about, and it often gets pushed aside, but your mental and emotional well-being are just as important as your physical health. Struggling doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.

I’m so grateful to walk alongside people on their healing journeys. Being a therapist during this time has shown me just how resilient, courageous, and deeply human we all are. If you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone. Help is out there, and healing is possible.

Let’s continue to normalize taking care of our mental health—not just during awareness months, but every day.

04/04/2025

April is Autism Awareness Month 💙

I just want to take a moment to share how proud I am to be a mental health therapist working with clients on the autism spectrum.

Supporting neurodivergent individuals as they navigate the world, build emotional skills, and embrace their authentic selves is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Every session reminds me of the strength, insight, and creativity that exists within the autistic community.

I learn just as much from my clients as they do from me—and that mutual growth is one of the most meaningful parts of this work.

This month and every month, I’m committed to creating safe, affirming spaces where every voice is honored, communication is respected in all its forms, and authenticity is celebrated.