Mariya Milan, AMFT

Mariya Milan, AMFT 123031

I am a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with the state of California. I am a Southern California native that has worked as a tutor, educator, and therapist. Much of my work has been as a partner to teens as they navigate the personal and socio-cultural changes inherent in high school, college, and early adulthood.

When working with all folks, no matter their age, I seek to utilize the “language of play” to access and honor an individual’s varied and unique competencies. The “language of play”, in my more modernized usage of the phrase, is the integration of gaming in all forms into the therapy process. 

Through the integration of geek, nerd, and gaming culture into the therapy process, I seek to understand clients on the basis of their personal passions. I want to know what a person’s game, anime, or comic of choice says about them and the hopes and strengths that they possess. 

In addition to being fully immersed in nerd/geek culture, I have lived much of my life as a “bigger gal” and know what it is like to not be seen because people see too much of you. Because of this, it is my honor to offer a space that can hold all people. 

As a black and proudly plus-sized person, my therapy is fat-friendly and body glorifying. All bodies, existences, and spirits are welcome to explore their selfhood without judgment or shame.

It is my goal to be a client’s partner in their efforts to remain sparkly. I believe that within everyone exists the strength, ability, and aptitude to attain (or maintain) a preferred future. 

Areas of Focus

I seek to craft a therapy experience that is individualized to each client. To this end, I draw from a variety of modalities and areas of focus in my practice. 

• Nerd/Geek Conscious Therapy 

• Narrative Therapy 

• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT)

• Person-Centered Therapy

• Play Therapy (for all ages)

• Game Therapy

• LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy

• Body Positive/Fat-Friendly Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Therapy with Children and Teens

My Education

Concordia University Irvine, B.A. Psychology With Minors in Creative Writing & Sociology (2015)

Pepperdine University, M.A. Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (2021)

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Supervised by JS Very (Giovanni Trimble), LMFT 107074

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