I had the chance to share with VoyageLA about my path into psychotherapy and coaching, and what continues to sustain me in this work.
The piece touches on what feels most true about how I approach healing and growth — both for my clients and myself.
You can read the full interview here:
https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-laudan-kermani-gish-of-lkg-psychotherapy-coaching
I recently read this Elle article about the rise of Ozempic use among people with eating disorders, and it resonated deeply with what I see in my practice. Many of my clients use GLP-1 medications because they quiet the relentless “food noise” — the constant mental chatter about food, calories, and control. That kind of relief can feel like a welcome pause after years of struggle.
But the quiet doesn’t last forever. When the medication is reduced or stopped, hunger and food thoughts often return — sometimes with more intensity. Without addressing the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns, clients risk being pulled back into old cycles. In my view, these medications can be helpful tools, but they’re not a cure. Long-term recovery still depends on doing the deeper work beneath the symptoms.
Relief from “food noise” — GLP-1s like Ozempic can reduce obsessive thoughts about eating, calories, restriction, or bingeing.
Limited data — There’s little research on the safety or efficacy of these drugs in people with anorexia or bulimia.
Potential risks — Appetite suppression, nausea, and GI side effects can worsen restrictive behaviors or trigger purging.
Gaps in screening — Many people obtain these medications online without adequate evaluation for eating disorder risk.
Rebound effect — Appetite and food thoughts frequently return when the drug is stopped.
Thin line between healthy and disordered use — Some individuals slide into under-eating or malnutrition while on GLP-1s.
Ozempic and similar medications can provide real relief — but relief isn’t recovery. Therapy, self-reflection, and support systems remain essential for addressing the root causes of disordered eating. These medications can serve as a bridge, not a destination.
I recently came across an article in SELF about Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), a concept first introduced in 1997. As someone who has known for years that I am highly sensitive, I found myself nodding along. With this awareness has come greater compassion and understanding—for myself and for others.
Being highly sensitive means your nervous system is finely tuned: you’re more aware of sensory input (lighting, sounds, ambiance), more emotionally attuned to others, and more likely to ponder life’s big questions. But here’s the thing - it’s not just “feeling a lot.” Sensitivity can also affect mental health, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety or rumination if you don’t take gentle care of yourself.
You notice what others might miss — harsh light, background noise, or mood shifts don’t pass you by.
You think deeply — weighing the “what-ifs,” planning carefully, and finding meaning in small details.
You feel others’ emotions intensely — empathy runs strong, sometimes leaving you emotionally exposed.
You often try to keep the peace — harmony matters, but people-pleasing can come at your own expense.
Being highly sensitive is not a diagnosis - it’s a trait, simply how your brain and senses process the world.
Sensitivity comes with superpowers: creativity, compassion, and joy in small moments.
It’s okay to set boundaries, rest, and choose environments that truly nourish you.
If sensitivity ever feels more like a burden than a gift, therapy and support can help.
Around 1 in 5 people identify as highly sensitive. If you do too, know this: there’s beauty in seeing the world in high definition. Your sensitivity matters - and so do you. 💛
I am so inspired by the new Body Appreciation Program from Girl Scouts of the USA and Flamingo - a beautiful invitation for girls, from kindergarten through high school, to focus less on how they look and more on what their bodies can do.
Through thoughtful, playful activities, girls will discover the joy of movement, creativity, and connection—while nurturing confidence, self-care, and compassion. These early lessons plant seeds of self-trust that can grow for a lifetime.
Developed with care, grounded in expert input, and supported by over $1 million from Flamingo, this initiative is a powerful step toward raising a generation who know, without question, that they are enough.
🤍
When we think about eating disorders, we often picture teenagers or young adults. However, emerging research, shared in this Self.com article, reveals a concerning trend that many of my psychotherapy peers and I have noticed: the significant connection between perimenopause and eating disorders.
Why Perimenopause Increases Risk
Perimenopause, typically beginning in a woman's 40s, brings dramatic hormonal fluctuations that create vulnerability for eating disorders. Research shows up to 29% of midlife women experience eating disorder symptoms.
The hormonal changes affect mood regulation, metabolism, body composition, and sleep patterns—all of which can trigger disordered eating behaviors as women struggle to maintain control over their changing bodies.
Common Patterns
Binge Eating: Hormonal fluctuations and stress trigger episodes of uncontrolled eating followed by shame.
Restrictive Eating: Severe calorie restriction to combat weight gain, often worsening symptoms.
Exercise Compulsion: Excessive exercise to maintain appearance, sometimes leading to injury.
Orthorexia: Obsessive focus on "healthy" eating that becomes rigid and isolating.
Warning Signs
Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, or body shape
Dramatic changes in eating patterns
Social withdrawal around meals
Using menopause to justify extreme dietary restrictions
Mood swings tied to eating or weight
When to Seek Help
Consider professional support if you:
Obsess about food or body changes
Use extreme measures to control weight
Find eating patterns interfere with daily life
Notice mood significantly affected by eating
Hope and Healing
With proper support, it's possible to navigate perimenopause while developing a healthier relationship with food and your body. Eating disorders during this stage are real, valid, and treatable.
A recent New York Times article introduced a term that I’ve been witnessing quietly play out in my therapy practice: money dysmorphia — the feeling that you’re financially unstable, even when you're objectively doing okay.
It’s not just a Gen Z thing. I’ve seen this with clients across all ages — young adults just starting out, professionals in their prime earning years, even those nearing retirement. Regardless of income level or life stage, many people are grappling with a distorted sense of financial adequacy.
Social media only intensifies this. It encourages constant comparison to curated lives — the upgrades, the getaways, the soft-launch side hustles. Even if we know it’s filtered, it still leaves us questioning: Am I doing enough? Do I have enough?
In therapy, money is never just about math. It’s tied to our sense of safety, success, identity, and belonging. And when our perception of money gets warped, it can lead to anxiety, guilt, and shame — even when the numbers say we’re okay.
The antidote? Awareness. Boundaries. Compassion.
Compassion for yourself when the comparisons creep in.
Compassion when fear shows up in the form of overspending, underspending, or perfectionism.
And permission to define enough on your own terms — not someone else’s algorithm.
My incredibly talented and thoughtful colleague, Maria Evans, created a list of resources offering sliding scale and pro bono services for people impacted by the LA fires.
Check it out here.
I am honored to be invited by The Advocacy Group Project to speak at an upcoming parent support group. I’ll be focusing on the importance of boundaries and how they serve as a foundation for compassion and empathy. This is a theme I've noticed with many of my clients, and I believe it will be especially relevant during the upcoming holiday season.
When: Tuesdays 6pm PST/ 9pm EST - 7:30pm PST/ 10:30pm EST
Where: Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88038432494
I am thrilled about the current research investigating the potential use of weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, for treating Binge Eating Disorder (BED). A recent article in the New York Times references one of the limited studies conducted in this field, indicating that further investigation is warranted. More treatment options are needed for those struggling with BED, and I am by no means endorsing these medications as a quick fix. However, I believe that with more research, we could uncover new ways to prescribe these medications at different doses tailored specifically for individuals with BED. This represents a promising development in the search for additional effective treatment options.
Loneliness is a deeply painful feeling, associated with shame and disconnection, and increasingly linked to poor mental and physical health according to recent research. The World Health Organization has even established a Commission on Social Connection to address this issue as a global public health priority.
Two recent articles, linked below, cite a research study by insurance provider Cigna on loneliness. The study found that 52% of Americans reported feeling alone sometimes or always, with the percentage rising to 65% among parents.
NY Times - Why Is the Loneliness Epidemic So Hard to Cure?
WSJ - Parenting Is Hazardous to Your Health, the Surgeon General Warns
I recently recommended a transitional object, often referred to as a 'lovey,' to one of my clients to assist with sleep. Initially, the reaction was as anticipated—laughter. However, curiosity soon followed. After giving it a try, my client shared their experience with me one week later—it was a success! I always appreciate it when articles resonate with the interventions I use with clients, so I wanted to share this New York Times article.
Great advice from the author of Secrets from the Eating Lab. The article is a quick and helpful read for anyone who is struggling with body image as we reintegrate towards a new normal.
Link here
Recently our community lost a bright, young soul to an accidental overdose. I am honored to participate on a panel about a subject for which I am deeply passionate. Prevention and early intervention of substance use and co-occuring disorders is essential, especially in our youth. I am truly happy to be moving this conversation forward with parents.
This period of isolation and physical distancing has brought on a number of different challenges for everyone. One of these challenges is the feeling of helplessness during a time of uncertainty. This NY Times article provides a simple and attainable way to boost your spirits - by lending a helping hand.
“Much of the scientific research on resilience - which is our ability to bounce back from adversity - has shown that having a sense of purpose, and giving support to others, has a significant impact on our well-being.”
Give it a try!
My clients often hear me talk about resilience and early childhood relationships; how both play a critical role in how we live and interpret our lives. This NY Times article is an easy to read reminder about both.
“The most significant determinant of resilience…is the quality of our close personal relationships, especially with parents and primary caregivers” - Eilene Zimmerman
“How loved you felt as a child is a great predictor of how you manage all kinds of difficult situations later in life” - Bessel van Der Kolk.
Having experienced a less than loving childhood does not mean you are doomed for the rest of your life. With awareness (and yes, therapy), comes the opportunity to heal and repair the relationship one has with themselves and the opportunity to build resilience.
This is incredibly important and very dear to my heart - While almost 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, the shame and stigma endured by the women who suffer from early pregnancy loss, and their partners who are just as much part of the process, often goes unnoticed. A new, groundbreaking research study from Imperial College in London and KU Leuven in Belgium has now found that nearly 1 in 6 of these amazing women suffer from PTSD. I hope the research continues to grow, and I hope the research starts to include partners.
For all the amazing women and partners out there - I cannot stress the importance of getting support from a friend, loved one, or perinatal therapist (like me!). Shame breeds on secrecy - you are not alone.
Direct links of the research story - BBC & Today Show
Niksen - the art of doing nothing
Cheers to the state of New York for being the first state to make mental health education mandatory!!! This feature on The Today Show shares the importance of teaching coping skills in the classroom.
Thought-provoking article in Sunday's The New York Times, introducing the new generation of Sober Curious and Mindful Drinkers
Direct link to article here
Oftentimes, clients who are recovering from eatings disorders worry about how they will be able to respond to friends or family members who are dieting themselves. This NY Times article provides reassurance that it is possible to maintain recovery while being exposed to what could have been triggers in the past.
