Relationship & Trauma Therapy - Irena Shwartzman, LMFT

UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH Life can feel overwhelming, especially when relationships and personal challenges start to pile up. I help my clients untangle the complicated parts of life—making the confusing feel clearer and the heavy feel lighter. My goal is to create a supportive space where you feel understood and can move forward with more clarity and direction. HOW MY APPROACH IS DIFFERENT I take a structured, insight-focused approach to therapy that helps you understand what’s happening beneath the surface. We identify patterns, make them visible, and connect them to past experiences—so you can begin making meaningful changes sooner rather than staying stuck in the same cycles. I also use simple visual explanations and psychoeducation to make sense of emotional reactions, communication breakdowns, and recurring dynamics. INTENSIVE THERAPY For clients who want to make meaningful progress sooner, I offer a more focused, intensive approach with longer or more frequent sessions over a shorter period. This helps you stay engaged and build “break-through” momentum while we more quickly identify patterns, process deeper issues, and begin meaningful changes. It is especially helpful for couples navigating infidelity or relationship crises, as well as for individuals working through trauma, anxiety, or high levels of stress. COUPLES THERAPY, RELATIONSHIPS & INFIDELITY As a therapist in Los Altos, Mountain View, and surrounding South Bay communities, I specialize in working with couples navigating infidelity, rebuilding trust, and struggling with communication breakdowns. Whether you’re trying to reconnect, co-parent effectively, or decide what the future looks like for your relationship, I bring a structured, practical approach to help you understand patterns, reduce conflict, and move forward. I also have experience supporting LGBTQ+ couples and families with the unique challenges they may face. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY & TRAUMA In addition to couples work, I help young adults and adults manage challenges such as trauma, anxiety, and relationship-related patterns. As an EMDR-trained therapist, I use evidence-based tools to help process experiences that continue to affect emotional responses and build resilience. ABOUT ME On a personal note, I’ve been married for 25 years and have raised two children. I know firsthand that relationships take effort, communication, and humor—something I bring into sessions when appropriate. When I’m not working with clients, I enjoy traveling and exploring new places. I also offer therapy in English, Hebrew, Russian, and Ukrainian, making support accessible to diverse communities in the Bay Area. GETTING STARTED If you’re ready to better understand what’s happening and begin making meaningful changes, I’d be glad to work with you.