Mai Gattenyo, AMFT

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor Frankl

Mai Gattenyo, AMFT's style

Why Mai Gattenyo, AMFT chose to be in the helping profession

I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (159934), practicing under the supervision of Lexi Molloy. I became a therapist out of a deep curiosity about human resilience, how our stories shape us, and how we make meaning from challenge. As an Israeli American, I grew up surrounded by stories of my ancestors’ resilience, how they found joy in dark times, leaned into grit through adversity, and continued to build connection and community despite unimaginable circumstances. Those stories continue to live in me and inform the way I show up in this work, grounded in the belief that through connection, change is always possible.

I am passionate about creating a space where clients can reconnect with themselves, strengthen their relationships, and move toward a life that feels authentic and aligned. I approach this work with warmth, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique story and lived experience. Together, we explore patterns, build insight, and gently work through the barriers that may be getting in the way of growth. My hope is that clients leave feeling more connected to who they are, more grounded in their resilience, and more open to the possibility of meaningful change.

Mai Gattenyo, AMFT's approach

My approach to therapy is person-centered, which means I believe you are the expert of your own life. I show up to this work with a blend of humor, empathy, and a collaborative, focused style that helps us stay both grounded and intentional. Together, we look at the deeper patterns at play while also finding practical, action-oriented ways to shift toward greater alignment. I see therapy as a space where insight and movement can exist side by side, allowing for both understanding and meaningful change.

The goal of our work is to help you build a life that feels more authentically you by reconnecting with your strengths, strengthening coping skills, and breaking through self-limiting beliefs. I work with clients navigating transitions, stress, anxiety, and relational challenges, and I meet each person with curiosity and respect for their unique experience. Whatever brings you in, my hope is to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and truly understanding. From there, we can begin to make sense of what you are carrying and move toward something that feels more grounded, connected, and aligned.

What you can expect from sessions with Mai Gattenyo, AMFT

I aim to create an environment that feels psychologically safe, a space where you can show up as your full, authentic self without needing to filter or perform. Sessions are attentive, attuned, and centered around you, with care given to both what is said and what may be harder to put into words. Together, we explore your narratives and the beliefs that may be holding you back, approaching them with curiosity rather than judgment. I gently support you in noticing how these patterns show up in your day to day life and relationships, so they become easier to understand and work with.

As we build awareness, we also focus on creating meaningful shifts. We look at how to reshape the stories you carry into ones that better support who you are and who you want to become. With a balance of pattern awareness and practical, actionable steps, our work is both reflective and forward moving. The goal is to help you build a stronger, more compassionate relationship with yourself, while also deepening your connection with others in a way that feels more aligned and intentional.

Mai Gattenyo, AMFT's experience working with the Jewish community

I grew up in the Jewish Israeli community, where my earliest experiences of connection and belonging began through Tzofim, the Israeli Scouts. Those early roots continued to grow through my involvement with Hillel on campus and my time volunteering in Israel with Project Ten. I later spent six years working in a synagogue, supporting youth leaders and teaching Hebrew, which deepened both my connection to and understanding of the community. These experiences have shaped not only who I am, but also how I show up in this work, bringing both lived and professional insight into the Jewish experience.

I work with clients across all levels of observance, as well as Israelis seeking a space that feels familiar, supportive, and culturally attuned. At the same time, I approach each person with openness and curiosity, regardless of their background or relationship to Judaism. Together, we explore what your culture means to you, how it has shaped your identity and experiences, and where you find strength within it. My goal is to create a space where your cultural story is understood, respected, and integrated into the work in a way that feels meaningful and supportive to you.

Mai Gattenyo, AMFT's Book Recommendation Zone

• Tuesdays with Morrie
  Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir by Mitch Albom documenting his weekly visits to his dying former sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz. Over 14 Tuesdays, they discuss life, death, love, and regret, with Morrie teaching that accepting mortality helps one truly live. It is a story about reconnecting, appreciating life, and embracing humanity
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
  The book offers a candid, humorous, and insightful look into the therapeutic process from both sides of the couch, exploring the universal human experiences of love, loss, meaning, and change
• The Midnight Library
  Examines the "what ifs" of life and the value of the life you have chosen.

Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Existential
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

Concerns

• Anxiety
• Codependency
• Dating
• Depression
• Divorce/Separation
• Emotion regulation
• Life purpose and meaning
• Relationships
• Stress management
• Transitions & Change

1 years in practice

Licenses

• AMFT by BBS 2025. License number 159934

Degrees

• Counseling Psychology by CSULB 2025

Average costs per session

$150 - $175

Payment Methods

• Insurance
• Sliding Scale
• Cash
• Credit Card

Insurances

• Aetna
• Anthem