Sahar Motakef, Psy.D.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist
Licensed Psychologist: PSY 33883
Dr. Sahar Motakef is a licensed psychologist at CBT Los Angeles, providing both individual and couples therapy. She specializes in evidence-based therapy for a range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, phobias, perinatal mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her training background in medical settings has informed her experience in behavioral health/health psychology such as in the adaptation of lifestyle changes benefiting physical and mental health and working with clients to extinguish unhelpful habits, including in the treatment of sleep disorders. Similarly, Dr. Motakef provides therapy treatment for individuals with ADHD, focusing on improving time-management and organizational habits as well as overcoming the challenges of procrastination/avoidant styles that impact functioning and contribute to an individual's symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem. Dr. Motakef’s work also focuses on addressing issues unique to identity development, acculturation, spirituality, life stages, and family-of-origin and romantic relationships. Her expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance-based therapy (ACT) is founded in a positive, strengths-based approach to foster a balance of self-compassion and personal accountability to assist clients in recognizing their innate value and true potential, while facilitating a sense of personal empowerment in their lives.
Dr. Motakef received her Bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine majoring in Psychology/Cognitive Sciences and Political Science, and minoring in Literary Journalism. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy, as well as a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has completed doctoral training pratica at the Neuropsychiatric Center at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, the Pepperdine Community Counseling Clinic in West Los Angeles, University of Southern California’s Engemann Health Center, and an APA-accredited internship at Loma Linda Medical Center. Following her graduate training, Dr. Motakef completed a postdoctoral fellowship with advanced training in cognitive behavioral therapy at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles. Dr. Motakef also holds a certificate in Perinatal Mental Health and is a member of Postpartum Support International, the American Psychological Association, and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She has emphasized culturally diverse training practices, the provision of competent care for members of the LGBTQ community, feminist perspectives, and social advocacy throughout her career.