Pavlo OConnor

I work primarily with gay and queer men, and the people who love them, navigating identity, self-worth, relationships, and life transitions. Many of my clients are high-functioning and outwardly capable, yet inside feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Serving as a steady anchor for these individuals is deeply meaningful to me, and I consider it a profound privilege to help you lay a safe, empowering foundation for your mental health. Before becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I worked internationally in the corporate world, giving me firsthand experience with stress, burnout, and career transitions. Having grown up in Ukraine and lived in several countries before settling in Los Angeles, I also understand what it feels like to rebuild a sense of identity and belonging. With five years of focused clinical experience, I offer telehealth sessions in English, Ukrainian, and Russian for adults and couples. Whether you are questioning a high-control religious upbringing whose shadow still lingers, renegotiating partnerships that do not fit a traditional template, or navigating life between cultures, I am here to provide a space where you can find what is actually yours.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine conversation built on trust, curiosity, and collaboration. True emotional growth flourishes when we balance robust, evidence-based practices with a deeply authentic human connection. My style is warm but direct; I will reflect your experience back and challenge you when it helps, ensuring you feel both validated and pushed forward. I integrate parts-focused work through Internal Family Systems alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches to help you understand the sides of yourself that are in conflict. For deconstruction and identity work, I bring a trauma-informed and culturally aware lens grounded in lived experience, not just training. Together, we will outline tangible goals to ensure our therapeutic work translates into meaningful progress in your daily life. My role is not to tell you how to live, but to help you build practical tools, reduce your distress, and reconnect with the curiosity and meaning that bring you joy.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. Rather than rushing to solve problems or arrive at a diagnosis, I’ll spend time learning about your story, your current concerns, and the experiences that have shaped your life. I’ll ask questions about different areas of your life, not because I’m looking for something to be “wrong,” but because I want to understand you as a whole person.

I approach this conversation with curiosity, not judgment. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable sharing at your own pace. Together, we’ll begin identifying what brings you to therapy, what you hope will be different, and what strengths you already have that we can build upon.

By the end of our first session, you can expect to have a clearer sense of how I work, an opportunity to ask any questions you have, and a collaborative plan for where we’ll focus our work together. Building trust is an important part of therapy, and our first meeting is the beginning of that process.