Zamira Pla
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Embodiment Coach
Zamira Pla is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Embodiment Coach based in Los Angeles, CA. With over 10 years of experience, Zamira is a lifelong learner who is passionate about helping others heal and connect with their true selves through creative and holistic therapy. Zamira started her private practice in 2022, offering individual, couples, and spiritual coaching. She creates workshops and retreats about spirituality, working with your shadow, expressive arts, and accessing our creativity. She also received a 2-year professional degree in Expressive Arts Therapy in 2013, became a certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional in 2023, and is certified in human design and enneagram. Zamira received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Florida International University.
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Forum Comments (4)
How do I deal with toxic parents, what do I do?
If you ever feel able to have a conversation with one of your parents, make sure you feel safe and are in a good headspace. If you do, ask them, "hey, do you have some time to talk?" when you're in private.
Next, tell them, "Hey, I've noticed this ___." This way, you haven't blamed anything. What you're saying is that you've noticed something, or you can say I've had an experience. That will help them listen instead of getting defensive.
Tell them what you see from your perspective, with examples. Clarity and awareness are the first step.
Next, tell them, "Hey, I've noticed this ___." This way, you haven't blamed anything. What you're saying is that you've noticed something, or you can say I've had an experience. That will help them listen instead of getting defensive.
Tell them what you see from your perspective, with examples. Clarity and awareness are the first step.
Fighting with a friend
We all have those friends and we're probably being those friends to other people too, right?
If you have a friend that's overly critical, set respectful boundaries. You don't have to be brutally honest — you can just be honest. Tell them how you feel and what you need.
In a friendship or in any relationship, honesty is the most beautiful form of love, because you're actually being yourself with the other person and letting them know, "This is what I really think, this is what I really feel, this is who I really am. I am staying with you to tell you that. That's how much I love you."
You can ask your friend, "Hey, what do you mean when you say these things? I've noticed a pattern that you tend to tell me these things a lot. What does that mean? What are you trying to tell me? What is the message?"
Once you've clarified it, ask them if they can change the way that they deliver that message. There, you can tell them what you need and how you'd prefer they communicate to you.
If you have a friend that's overly critical, set respectful boundaries. You don't have to be brutally honest — you can just be honest. Tell them how you feel and what you need.
In a friendship or in any relationship, honesty is the most beautiful form of love, because you're actually being yourself with the other person and letting them know, "This is what I really think, this is what I really feel, this is who I really am. I am staying with you to tell you that. That's how much I love you."
You can ask your friend, "Hey, what do you mean when you say these things? I've noticed a pattern that you tend to tell me these things a lot. What does that mean? What are you trying to tell me? What is the message?"
Once you've clarified it, ask them if they can change the way that they deliver that message. There, you can tell them what you need and how you'd prefer they communicate to you.
What should I look for when choosing a therapist?
First thing: have a consultation. That's something I practice. I know it sounds very practical, but if a therapist doesn't offer consultations, which are 20 minutes or so, that's a red flag. Most therapists will give you one if you ask.
In that consultation, ask how the therapist works, and see if they speak your language. Do you vibe? That's seriously so important. You have to like talking to them and connect with them.
Therapy is such an important service. It's about the heart, the mind, the body, about your whole entity, your history, your healing. It's important that you get the therapist that you need.
In that consultation, ask how the therapist works, and see if they speak your language. Do you vibe? That's seriously so important. You have to like talking to them and connect with them.
Therapy is such an important service. It's about the heart, the mind, the body, about your whole entity, your history, your healing. It's important that you get the therapist that you need.
Is there any truth to right person, wrong time?
Yeah, there are times when this can happen. You're like, "This person is exactly what I've been looking for, but they're taken."
But remind yourself, if they're taken, they don't have everything you've been looking for because they're not single. The situation is a part of the person — don't change your values to make the wrong right (like dating someone in a relationship).
But remind yourself, if they're taken, they don't have everything you've been looking for because they're not single. The situation is a part of the person — don't change your values to make the wrong right (like dating someone in a relationship).
