A program with a tremendous amount of flexibility. A high level of service above and beyond traditional therapy
Only a limited number of Concierge memberships are available
Schedule a 55 Minute Initial Consultation Session
The Concierge Experience is specifically designed to extend the opportunity for regular psychological treatment and continuity of care to a patient who otherwise cannot partake in regular weekly sessions. This is a patient who is extremely busy, has a hectic daily schedule with a host of professional/personal/social obligations, engages in frequent out-of-town trips, requires excess privacy from the media/press/tabloids, or prefers house calls or off-site sessions (at high-stress or overwhelming settings where additional support and grounding may be needed).
Dr. Selkirk, call me back
About Dr.Selkirk “Allie”
Alaleh “Allie” Katalmohseni Selkirk, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Education, a Doctorate in General Psychology, and a Post-Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She started her career as an elementary school teacher. While raising her small children, Dr. Selkirk became increasingly curious and passionate about human development, leading her to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology. She became a Commissioned Naval Officer and a Navy psychologist for nine years before entering private practice.
Dr. Selkirk has specialized training in trauma treatment, depression treatment, anxiety treatment, and insomnia treatment, as well as extensive experience working with anger, relationship issues, and personality disorders. In addition to multiple Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Dr. Selkirk is meritoriously honored as a lifetime member of America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals, and distinguished by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals and Doctors of Excellence as a Top Psychologist in Beverly Hills, California.
Dr.Selkirk’s Specialities
Depression Therapy
Are You Struggling To Find A Sense Of Meaning And Purpose?
Despite everything that’s going well in your life—from academics or your career to your relationships with family members and friends—do you feel weighed down by a heavy gloom? Do you wonder if true, lasting happiness is beyond your grasp or if it exists at all? Perhaps you can’t understand why you still feel so empty, even after you’ve reached so many goals and achieved so many external markers of success. When other people compliment your character or work, you might feel like an imposter or wonder why you can’t feel connected to your own life. Are you struggling with a deep sense of hopelessness? Do you wish you could find some way to bring true joy and meaning into your life?
Depression Is More Common Than Many Realize
Although depression can feel profoundly isolating, in truth, many people struggle with depression symptoms. For some people, the gloom has been present for as long as they can remember. For others, the sadness and hopelessness come on suddenly, only to disappear after a few days or weeks, like a cloud passing overhead. Although these periods might follow distressing events, such as breakups or career transitions, they can also arise for seemingly no reason at all, making it difficult to trust that happiness can last.
Depression Therapy Can Help You Find A Sense Of Meaning And Possibility
Research indicates that therapy can be highly effective for a wide range of depressive disorders. In a supportive space, you can address what’s wrong, discover ways to find immediate relief, and explore deeper questions that fuel ongoing doubt. In other words, you can find lasting healing at every level, improving the way you navigate the world and how you feel about your place in it.
You may have questions or concerns about depression treatment…
This pain is always here. Therapy will just make me dwell on it.
If your emotions seem dark and heavy, it makes sense that you don’t want to talk about them. But, ignoring despair doesn’t help it go away. While talking about it might seem difficult at first, therapy can lead to lasting relief. You can learn how to recover from depression so that you don’t feel this way forever. No matter what you’re going through, life can feel better.
I’ve struggled with suicidal thoughts before. If I get close to this major depression again, I’m afraid I won’t survive it.
I understand how frightening it can be to feel close to ending your life. But, you have survived, and you are more resilient than you know. As we work together, I will respect your needs and work at a pace that feels comfortable to you. If you feel yourself falling to the bottom of that well again, I will be there with you. I will bring all the knowledge, skills, and tools I have to help you build a ladder that can serve you now and through the future. With help, you can climb out of the depths of depression and find a route to the light.
Do You Feel Unable To Relax And Slow Down?
Do you feel that you always have one more thing to do before you can feel satisfied? Before you stop to appreciate everything you’ve accomplished, you may have already moved on to the next task. Maybe you feel like there are a million things running through your head at once, from your immediate to-do list to your long-term plans. Even when it seems impossible to do it all, you might push through the exhaustion, certain that you can handle everything if you just try hard enough. As you struggle to keep your head above water, does relaxation seem like a distant dream? Do you wish you could find peace and trust that you’ve done enough?
If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms, such as heightened stress and racing thoughts, you may feel simultaneously worn down and revved up. Perhaps part of you fears that your massive to-do list will never end, while another part fears what will happen if it does. You might long for the present moment, but dread what you’ll find if you do sit quietly with yourself. Perhaps you sometimes turn to alcohol or other substances for temporary relief and escape, even though you know the looping worries are waiting right below the surface. As you try to manage this ever-present sense of agitation, you might wonder if it’s even possible to feel content and fulfilled.
Most People Experience Some Level Of Anxiety
When it comes to understanding anxiety, it’s important to note that worry and stress are useful on some level. Imagine a dial that goes from Level 1 to 10. All the way up to Level 4, anxiety can help you perceive and adapt to threats. It prompts you to look both ways before crossing the street and meet deadlines. It helps you navigate life.
However, in our fast-paced, modern society, more people are dealing with anxiety more often and with greater intensity. In the digital age, multi-tasking has become the norm, and it’s increasingly common for people to talk about exhaustion as though it’s a badge of success. If you’re not on the go all the time, it can seem like you’re letting someone down. As you try to balance all of your responsibilities, along with the internalized pressure to excel, your anxiety can creep up to Level 10. It can cease to be useful and start holding you back from the life you want.
Thankfully, there are ways to turn down the dial. By working with an experienced therapist, you can manage anxiety symptoms and feel empowered to accomplish your goals with greater ease.
Anxiety Treatment Can Help You Find Relief
As a therapist who truly understands how anxiety functions, I provide a space where you can feel calm enough to productively address challenges, but not so calm that you feel frustrated and stuck. During sessions, I meet you wherever you are and pose questions that can spark insights, with which you can better understand and manage your racing thoughts. As we work together, you can begin to assess your priorities and focus your energy and ambitions.
My approach to anxiety therapy is very collaborative and solution-focused. Together, we can explore the coping strategies you already have in place and determine which ones are no longer serving you. As we develop new, healthier strategies to mitigate anxious thoughts, you can expect me to listen intently with empathy, actively engaging with your needs and validating concerns as they arise. While therapy is a safe container for you to express your thoughts and feelings honestly, if I sense we are getting off track, I will pause, acknowledge any new concerns, and gently lead us back to your goals. One issue at a time, we can get closer to overcoming the root causes that fuel your distress.
One vital step toward managing anxiety is distinguishing between productive and unproductive thoughts. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, it’s possible to shift your perspective as worries arise, analyze your thoughts more objectively and realistically, and challenge them before they cause distress.
If appropriate, I may also draw on mindfulness techniques, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing, so you can practice grounding in your body and inhabiting the present moment. Depending on your interests, I can also recommend yoga, tai chi, or other exercises that support mind-body awareness and relaxation. After each session, you can walk away better equipped with new, effective tools for reducing agitation and overcoming anxiety, no matter when it arises.
After nine years as an active duty U.S. Navy Psychologist and now a psychologist in private practice, I have seen anxiety in many forms, and I know what it’s like to navigate high-stress situations and environments. I also know that anxiety can drain your energy and make even the greatest success feel like just another check on the to-do list. With help, it is possible to go through life with less effort and exhaustion. You can start trusting in yourself and accomplishing your goals with greater ease.
You may have questions or concerns about anxiety therapy…
I don’t see how sitting and talking could help.
Therapy is not just about talking through your feelings. This is a block of time totally dedicated to you and your needs, and I want our work together to feel productive. Think of this space as an arena for you to brainstorm, work through challenges, and effectively problem-solve. With my training and expertise, I can help you find ways to get things done without expending so much energy. I’m here to reflect your experience back to you and offer the support and strategies you need to thrive.
What if talking about feeling anxious just makes me feel more anxious?
Therapy is a neutral, supportive space for you to let difficult emotions arise. If you begin to feel heightened anxiety or panic, I will be right there with you, helping you figure out what you need to feel calm. You can practice soothing techniques right away, without the pressure to “just deal with” distress. And, you can gain confidence in your ability to relieve stress.
I don’t have time for anxiety treatment.
If you have a million things to do, it’s easy to feel like therapy is a waste of time. You might also worry that therapy will take away your drive or will change you into someone you’re not. In truth, therapy won’t transform you into someone who doesn’t have ambition or things to do. It will help you clarify what you want and pursue your goals with greater self-compassion and resilience.
I encourage you to tap into the impulse that brought you to this page. That urge for relief is going to bring you to this moment again and again. It’s okay to listen to your instincts and invest time in your own needs. I am here to help.
Become A More Balanced, Empowered You
Please click “Contact Me” so we can find out if I can be of assistance to you. You can ask any questions you may have about anxiety treatment and my practice in Beverly Hills, CA.
Dr. Selkirk, call me back
Dr.Selkirk’s Specialities
Does Your World Feel Unpredictable And Unsafe?
Have you had a frightening experience that changed your view of yourself, other people, and the world? Perhaps a particular episode, series of events, or ongoing exposure to abuse, oppression, and/or violence has made it difficult for you to trust anyone. You may be struggling with signs of trauma, such as difficulties sleeping; frequent and distressing nightmares; night sweats; flashbacks; avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the traumatic experience; feeling anxious and super alert all the time; and negative physical sensations that you don’t fully understand. Or, perhaps you specifically remember what happened but don’t know why it’s still haunting you. Sometimes, it may seem as though the danger is right in front of you, and the world is closing in. Do you ache for the person the used to be before you encountered cruelty and pain, and wish you could find that old self again? Do you long to move confidently through the world with a sense of peace and safety?
Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect all types of people, from all walks of life—veterans, professionals, executives, housewives, immigrants, and more. Your life may feel divided into two parts—the naïve, innocent “before” and the fearful, wounded “after.” Perhaps your life looks desirable on the outside, but to you, it feels like you’re carrying a shameful secret that eats you up on the inside and keeps you from moving forward with a rightful sense of security. If talking about trauma is taboo in your culture or community, you may withdraw socially, blame yourself for what happened, or mistakenly think that you’re weak for not being able to “get over it.” Most of all, you might feel isolated and alone. And, no matter how hard you try to suppress unwanted feelings and sensations, they might just keep bubbling to the surface.
Trauma Is Very Common—And It’s Not Your Fault!
Here in Beverly Hills, it can seem as though everyone has it together. We fear that here, more than anywhere else, emotional struggles can be construed as a sign of weakness. But, what we see on the outside never shows the full story. No matter how isolated and alone you may have been feeling since that absolutely horrible thing happened to you, in truth, you are not alone!
Traumatic events and experiences take many forms. For example, you may be an immigrant who witnessed war and violence in your home country, only to face racism and bigotry here in the United States. Or, perhaps you’re a veteran who experienced and witnessed not only combat violence, but also harassment and abuse within your unit, further disrupting your sense of safety and order. It’s also possible to experience trauma following a single distressing incident, such as a bombing, a car accident, a natural disaster, or an assault. Or, perhaps you have suffered from childhood abuse or neglect, domestic abuse, and/or gender-based oppression. If few people around you have acknowledged those behaviors as harmful, you may have come to believe that that’s just the way things are, that it’s acceptable, or that somehow you caused it or “asked for it.” These examples of ongoing exposure to mental and physical violence can make it difficult to harbor a sense of confidence in yourself or cultivate trusting relationships with others and the world you live in. Your world starts to shrink.
Regardless of your particular trauma, you didn’t ask for or deserve this. Although we can’t change the past or return to life as it was before, with self-compassion, you can create a brighter, fuller vision of the life that lies ahead. With help, it is possible to process the traumatic experience, make sense of what happened, and reduce its power over you.
Let’s Talk so we can find out if I can be of assistance to you.
Trauma Therapy Can Help You Heal
The human brain is like a room full of filing cabinets. A traumatic memory is like a crumpled piece of paper that doesn’t fit in a file like all other past events (or episodic memories) do. Instead, it keeps popping out again and again and prevents us from closing that filing cabinet. Therapy aims to help you smooth out that piece of paper so you can file it away like any other event that happened in the past and move on with your life. It will still remain a horrible, terrible thing that happened in the past, but it will no longer interfere with your normal daily functioning. Most importantly, you can open or close it at your will, rather than the other way around.
Research has shown that trauma therapy can be highly effective for most people who commit to the process. I am a nonjudgmental, engaged, and experienced trauma specialist dedicated to helping you heal and reclaim your life. As we work together, you can reduce the intensity and frequency of nightmares and panic, better understand what happened, and feel empowered to move forward.
Because every person’s experience of trauma is different, I adapt my approach to your individual needs as they change from session to session. First and foremost, I work to establish a sense of safety and trust in the therapy room. I am here to offer the help you need, without judgment, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. Instead, I will collaborate with you as a team, helping you establish the coping skills you need to reduce your emotional distress, gain an understanding of what it all means in the bigger context of who you are and what you want in life, and reclaim your power and autonomy.
During sessions, I will always be 100 percent present with you, listening and attuning to your needs. As appropriate, I may be warm and soft, providing a safe holding space where you can be vulnerable and open when you need to. I may offer observations that help you identify stuck-points. I may also recommend strategies to help you through the stuck-points. Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve us, I may encourage you to look at your present experience from a different perspective. I sometimes recommend ways for you to engage with the world, which may require you to utilize some of your existing skills and resources or learn new helpful skills and discover new resources. Throughout our work together, I will check in to determine what’s working and what you’d like to change or try.
In my nine years of work as an active duty U.S. Navy Psychologist and now a Psychologist in private practice, I have helped people process and recover from a wide range of traumas. No matter what particular trauma you have endured, please know that healing after trauma is possible. You are not alone.
You may have questions or concerns about overcoming PTSD and trauma…
You can’t erase the memory of what happened, so what’s the point of therapy?
Although no one can erase the past, you can reduce its influence over you now. And, while your memories may feel extremely painful, they don’t have to remain that way. With help, the memories can become just that—memories of something bad that happened long ago. Your past trauma can stop defining your present and future, and you can emerge as a stronger, more resilient you.
Talking about what happened won’t make it better.
The bad thing that happened to you will never be good. I don’t intend to make you feel like your experience of trauma was positive. However, I can help you figure out why this negative experience holds such a strong grip on you and impedes your growth and happiness. As you come to better understand your experience and put it in its rightful context, you can see that it no longer shapes your view of yourself, other people, or the world. It is possible to process what happened and put it where it belongs—in the past.
I’m too embarrassed to go to trauma therapy. Why can’t I just get over this on my own?
Many people fear their struggle with trauma means something is wrong with them, especially if others around them went through something similar but seem to have “gotten over it” just fine. No two people experience the same event the same way, just as no two people experience trauma the same way. There is nothing wrong with seeking help, and therapy can help you let go of the belief that you are weak or unworthy of help. You can begin to believe that you are deserving of safety, warmth, and kindness. You deserve to reclaim your life!
There Is A Way Forward
I urge and encourage you to start the process of healing after trauma. I will be with you every step of the way and together we can free you from this pain.
Let’s Talk so we can find out if I can be of assistance to you.
Do You Feel Like No One Understands You?
Although you have friends, family members, and/or a partner, do you feel as though you lack deep, intimate connections? Do you feel unable to be your true self in your interpersonal relationships? Perhaps it seems like no one listens or tries to understand your point of view. Even though your heart is in the right place, you may feel persistently in conflict with someone. Does it seem like people are always ganging up on you or twisting your words to make you look like “the bad guy”? Maybe you struggle to trust people because, at some point, they all turn on you or leave. Are you frustrated with shallow interpersonal relationships and confused about what keeps going wrong? Do you wish you could find a true connection with someone who really sees, hears, and accept you for who you are?
As you struggle to build healthy relationships with the people in your life, you likely feel increasingly defeated, angry, and exhausted. You may dedicate a great deal of energy toward cultivating the right relationships, career, lifestyle, and appearance. But, even when you’re drained by ongoing efforts to belong, you may feel unrecognized, unappreciated, and deeply alone. At the same time, attempts to have honest, meaningful conversations may inevitably lead you to feel hurt, judged, and abandoned. Perhaps you don’t understand why you can’t find where you belong.
Many People Struggle To Build Meaningful Interpersonal Relationships
No one is born knowing how to build relationships. In Beverly Hills especially, it’s common to have what looks like a thriving social life on the outside but feel isolated and lonely inside. Like many others, you might feel uncomfortable spending time alone, but also feel dissatisfied with friends, family members, and other loved ones. No matter what you try, there’s always something missing.
In truth, before you can form the deep, healthy relationships you crave, you must form an honest, loving relationship with yourself. In a safe, nonjudgmental space that’s entirely devoted to you, you can feel validated in your experience, better understand your emotions, and develop the tools needed to express your best self to the world.
Interpersonal Relationship Therapy Can Help You Find Meaning and Lasting Connection
I understand how painful feeling isolated and misunderstood can be. As a licensed clinical psychologist, my first priority is creating a space where you feel heard and accepted. Each session is centered on your needs, fears, hurts, and hopes. As we explore your interpersonal issues and desires, I will be fully present with you. If you’re ready to be honest, open, and curious, I’m here to help you discover and nurture your authentic self.
During interpersonal relationship therapy sessions, you can express your thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment or rejection. I can help you understand that your feelings are never wrong. Your experiences of anger and sadness are real and valid. Together, we can investigate these emotions and explore how they arise. Then, in a neutral, accepting space, you can examine how interpretations of experiences may stem from negative beliefs about relationships or yourself. For example, if you believe that everyone will abandon you, you may sense rejection when it’s not really there. As we trace your emotions to their roots, we can experiment with shifting perspectives and then examine how your emotions change. As you become able to see with fresh eyes, you can begin to move through the world with a new sense of openness and trust.
With respect and care, I can also help you understand your role in relationship conflict and how others might experience you. For example, when you sense rejection, do you lash out and say hurtful things? By examining how you react to others, especially when you feel hurt, you can gain clarity around your behavior, take note of what isn’t working, and make positive changes. With the right support and guidance, it’s possible to align your inner self with your outer actions, better regulate distressing emotions, navigate communication in relationships, and foster lasting connection.
Since 2011, I have been helping people form healthier relationships with themselves and others. As you learn about respecting and setting boundaries in relationships, you can feel a greater sense of connectedness and joy and become more empowered to make positive changes. It is possible to feel more fulfilled, even in moments of solitude. With help, you can cultivate greater resilience and find peace.
You may have questions or concerns about therapy for interpersonal relationships…
If people in my life can’t see or hear the real me, how can you?
I can only know as much as you let me. But, if you are willing to be real and open with me, you can trust that I will do the same with you. If you are ready to reveal your authentic self, I am ready to help you feel seen and heard.
If I sense we’re not making progress, we can address that and explore what might be getting in the way. If you move through life heavily guarded, you will likely bring those defenses into session. But, therapy is a safe place for you to start allowing those walls to come down and feel comfortable being honest and vulnerable.
Everyone already thinks I’m the crazy one. If I go to interpersonal relationship therapy, I’ll just prove them right.
Unfortunately, in our culture, there is a stigma around mental health. However, engaging in therapy does not mean you are broken or inadequate. It simply means you want to make improvements. We all want to strengthen our relationships and be happy. In that regard, seeking relationship help is like going to the dentist for a maintenance cleaning. It’s simply part of what you do to take care of yourself, and there’s no shame in that.
You’ll judge and blame me like everyone else.
You’ll judge and blame me like everyone else.In order for therapy to be effective, we must first build a genuine relationship. Judgment and blame have no place in our work together. It’s an honor and a privilege to sit with you and deeply investigate your true self.
I understand what it’s like to feel accomplished—that you’ve met every external marker of success—but still feel empty and misunderstood. That’s a lonely place to be. But, you don’t have to remain stuck. The real you deserves encouragement and acceptance.
You Deserve Support
If you’re ready to make changes, I’m ready to help.
A program designed for very busy people
Acute Concierge Service
The Acute Concierge Package is designed to extend the privileges of the Concierge Membership to the individual undergoing an intensely stressful event and requiring increased mental health support during this transitional period. Examples may include, but are not limited to, upcoming surgery, medical exams or treatments, recently discharged from residential treatment facility, academic exams, Personal or family stress such as upcoming marriage, divorce, birth, death, adoption, fertility treatment, or significant work projects such as filming or upcoming court trial.