Layla Asamarai, PsyD, LP

Pronouns

She/Her

Education

• BA, University of Minnesota 2000

• MA, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology 2004

• PsyD, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology 2006

Services Offered

• Individual Psychotherapy

• Clinical Supervision

Ages I Work With

• 18+

Therapy Approaches I Use

I am trained in EMDR and am both an EMDRIA certified provider as well as an EMDRIA approved consultant in EMDR. I am also trained in Anchors Relational therapy (formerly AIR Network Model), Brainspotting, and TF-CBT. I utilize a relational integrative theoretical orientation that pulls from a number of different orientations such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Islamic Psychology, Systems Psychology, Existential Psychology, Adlerian Psychology, and Stength-based approaches.

Areas of Specialization

While I am experienced in working with clients with many different backgrounds and numerous diagnoses, at this point in my career I am mostly interested in treatment of PTSD and DID.

My Decolonized/Anti-Oppressive Lens

I approach every client from a perspective that is biased in their favor. I believe that people are inherently honorable, capable, and striving to live with dignity—and that the burdens they carry are not reflections of their worth, but of what they’ve had to survive.

My work is grounded in the belief that healing must center freedom and choice. You do not need to explain everything to begin feeling better. You are not required to disclose what you’re not ready to share. I trust that what you choose to reveal, or withhold, comes from wisdom. Healing can still happen in the spaces that remain private.

I assume a position of curiosity, humility, and deep respect. I see you as the expert on your own life, and I walk beside you in a stance of solidarity, not scrutiny. Therapy, in this frame, becomes a space of restoration rather than interrogation. Over the past 20 years, the clients I’ve worked with have taught me more about courage, complexity, and resilience than any training ever could. I remain profoundly grateful, and indebted, to each of them, and it is with that spirit that I continue this work.

What I Hope Clients Feel After Working With Me

More than anything, I hope clients leave with a renewed sense of hope—the hope that healing is possible, that light still exists in this world, and that compassion and peace are real and within reach.

Why I Chose This Work

There is a long story to this, but I'll share the very abbreviated one. I've always been drawn to people and curious about them. When I tried to walk another path, the trail detoured me back to psychology and I feel so grateful for those detours, despite being so upset at the time. I feel honored to be able to do this work.

What I Enjoy Outside of Work

I love cooking, spending time with family and friends, reformer pilates, house plants, spreadsheets, interior design, and reading (or listening to audio books).

My Favorite Quote

"The wound is the place where the light enters you."

—Jalalludin Rumi