If things were simple, you wouldn’t be here.
Finding the Path Forward
Whether you are navigating the quiet friction of a disconnected relationship, the weight of unaddressed trauma, or the confusing gap between your external success and your internal reality, the path forward isn't always clear.
Even if you are accustomed to relying on yourself, there are moments when you need to broaden your perspective and lean on support to navigate the truly difficult terrain.
I recognize how frustrating it is to feel stuck—to see the pattern but be unable to break it. Navigating that gap requires more than just a strategy; it requires a partner you can trust implicitly.
Depth, Discretion, and Real Change
My approach is built on a single premise: Insight without action is just observation.
My practice is designed for people who want to get to the bottom of their problems and solve them.
This is not the kind of therapy where you talk for 50 minutes and I ask, "How does that make you feel?"
I've sat on the other side of that couch. I found it maddening. Smart people don't need a room to vent; they need someone who will actually engage with them, challenge their thinking, and tell them what they're not seeing. That's what I do.
We work quickly and with direction. Not because I'm rushing you, but because your time is valuable and vague is useless. We'll get to the root of what's going on, understand why it keeps happening, and build something different. Not just better coping. Real change.
We move beyond simple symptom relief to achieve something permanent: Agency. By understanding the patterns that drive you, you gain the ability to pause, reflect, and make conscious choices rather than just reacting to old triggers. We work to expand your capacity to handle life's complexity, ensuring that you aren't just surviving your reality, but actively leading it.
Services
Not Just Talk Therapy,
Change Therapy
Therapy in Hermosa Beach & Virtual Care for Professionals Across California
Regina Abayev JD, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
#148775
What We Work On:
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We address the disconnect that often exists between external metrics of success and internal stability. The goal is to separate your sense of worth from your productivity, allowing you to maintain high standards without the constant backdrop of self-criticism or fear of failure.
Common areas of focus: Difficulty relaxing, nervous system regulation, fear of failure, relentless self-criticism, and risk aversion.
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Professional demands often compete with relational needs, leading to partnerships that function well logistically but lack emotional depth. We work to identify patterns of disconnection—whether that manifests as communication breakdowns, infidelity, or simply growing apart—to restore safety and genuine intimacy.
Common areas of focus: Emotional distance, power imbalances, communication stalemates, fear of vulnerability, and infidelity recovery.
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We navigate the specific pressures inherent in high-stakes careers, including leadership dynamics, "golden handcuffs," and the fatigue that comes from constant decision-making. Our work focuses on establishing sustainable boundaries and determining whether your current path requires a new strategy or a fundamental pivot.
Common areas of focus: Imposter syndrome, conflict at work, professional stagnation, work-life integration, and loss of purpose.
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Past family history influences every aspect of your present life, parenting approaches, and partner choices. We examine these origins to understand their impact on your present-day reactions. This work allows you to break inherited cycles and respond to challenges with intentionality rather than reflex.
Common areas of focus: Family of origin issues, childhood trauma, navigating toxic family relationships, and identity integration.
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When stress exceeds capacity, coping mechanisms often shift from helpful to harmful. We examine behaviors like overwork, substance use, or emotional avoidance not as character flaws, but as attempts at regulation. We work to replace these with strategies that offer genuine relief and stability.
Common areas of focus: Reliance on substances/alcohol, emotional shutting down, risky behaviors, and compulsive overworking.
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The discovery of a partner’s infidelity or a significant breach of trust creates a unique form of trauma that attacks one's sense of reality. We work to stabilize the immediate disorientation and shock. The focus is on processing the betrayal without getting lost in the chaos, allowing for a clear decision-making process regarding the future of the relationship.
Common areas of focus: Discovery shock, "gaslighting" recovery, loss of reality, decision-making clarity, and rebuilding self-trust.
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Item For high-performers, dependency often hides in plain sight, masked by professional success. We address the reliance on alcohol, substances, or compulsive behaviors (such as workaholism or risky sexual behavior) used to manage stress. The goal is to move beyond "functional" dependency toward genuine regulation and freedom.
Common areas of focus: Alcohol and substance dependency, compulsive sexual behavior, technology addiction, and the cycle of numbing/performing.
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Success often creates structural isolation. Many clients experience a profound sense of loneliness despite having wide social or professional networks. We address the "void" that exists when interactions remain transactional or superficial, working to build relationships that offer genuine resonance and being seen rather than just admired.
Common areas of focus: Existential loneliness, lack of peer support, difficulty being vulnerable, and the "isolation of leadership."
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Life does not always follow a strategic plan. Whether navigating a sudden divorce, a legal challenge, or the illness of a loved one, we provide a grounded space to manage acute instability. We focus on maintaining executive functioning and emotional stability while navigating high-stakes personal challenges.
Common areas of focus: Divorce proceedings, sudden career loss, grief, legal stressors, and mid-life transitions.
How I Help:
My approach combines deep insight with practical strategy. We start by uncovering the root patterns driving your struggles. Then, we build a plan to change them. I focus on giving you tangible tools for stress management, boundaries, and high-stakes communication—helping you move from 'just coping' to a life that is authentic and aligned.
The Goal:
Our work is about building the capacity to enjoy the life you have worked so hard to create. We aim for more than just stress reduction; we aim for a life lived with intention. You can expect to build deeper, more honest relationships, and find the freedom to navigate challenges with a sense of calm and clarity that comes from the inside out.
About Me
My Practice
I'm a therapist. I'm also a former lawyer, a Wall Street veteran, and someone who has built companies, closed deals, and sat in rooms most people never get into.
I say that not to impress you, but because it matters for the work. I know what it's like to perform at a high level while quietly falling apart behind it. I know what "golden handcuffs" actually feel like. I understand the loneliness that comes with a title, and the strange exhaustion of being the person everyone else leans on.
A lot of my clients work in high-profile roles, people with real stakes and real privacy concerns. Discretion isn't a feature here; it's a given. I genuinely love this work, and I'm particularly energized by clients who are used to being the smartest person in the room and want a therapist who can keep up.
I'm also a mom navigating life with two teenagers and a blended family. They keep me humble. Mostly by informing me, regularly, that I am not as funny as I think I am.
If you’re wondering what this looks like in practice, check out the [FAQ: What to Expect].
Professional Background
My background is built on two decades of leadership in law, finance, and tech. I held senior roles at major investment banks, including Goldman Sachs (GS) and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and served as an early executive at several tech companies that reached "unicorn" status.
I helped raise hundreds of millions in funding for early-stage companies, structured multi-billion-dollar capital markets transactions, reimagined the future of financial transactions on blockchain at Figure Technologies, and served as a Co-Founder with a successful exit at FinDox Inc. Having acted in roles ranging from General Counsel to Head of Product, I understand the relentless pace of that world. I bring a deep, real-world perspective to this practice alongside a genuine love for what I do.
Education & Clinical Experience
B.A. (Summa Cum Laude), University of Michigan | J.D., University of Michigan | M.A., Pepperdine University | Ph.D. (In Progress), Clinical Sexology, MSTI
Prior to private practice, I worked at Exodus Recovery Inc., a residential crisis facility supporting clients with substance use and severe mental illness.
I gained deep experience working in this high-intensity rehab environment, seeing firsthand how addiction impacts the entire family system. I use this background to help you navigate the complex work of loving someone in crisis—helping you hold boundaries and maintain your own stability in the storm.
Personal Life
Outside of the office, I have a deep love for the outdoors. As a former endurance cyclist, I still find my best clarity when I’m moving or just getting fresh air.
At home, I am navigating life with two teenagers and a blended family. They keep me grounded—mostly by reminding me that my jokes are nowhere near as funny as I think they are.
Serving couples and professionals in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and the greater South Bay.
My office is located in the heart of Hermosa Beach about a 10-minute walk from Pier Ave. and a 15-minute walk from the beach.
In-person and virtual sessions are offered during the week, as well as evening and weekend availability.
Serving Nearby Cities:
Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Redondo Beach, Torrance, El Segundo, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Playa Vista, Greater Los Angeles
Contact Info:
Hermosa Beach Office
2309 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite #202
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254-2751
Phone Number & Email
(323) 646-6263
info@reginaabayev.com