Solace Mental Health Therapy, Inc. was founded by Ani Ifiktchian, LCSW, the daughter of Armenian immigrants. Growing up in Los Angeles, Ani quickly recognized the stigma surrounding mental health within many communities, including her own. With a deep passion for change, she set out to create a safe and supportive space what began as a solo private practice soon evolved into a thriving group practice.

 

Ani began her career in healthcare at just 18 years old, managing a private practice where she quickly learned the complexities of the healthcare system and the unique challenges faced by minority communities, particularly the Armenian community. Witnessing firsthand the lack of culturally sensitive care, Ani became committed to providing accessible, top-quality services especially for those unfamiliar with the U.S. healthcare system.

 

After earning her degree in Business Management, Ani realized that her true passion lay in mental health. Drawing from her own experiences with stigma and her journey as a daughter of immigrants, she pursued a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC). During her training, she interned at multiple hospices across Los Angeles, providing emotional support to families coping with end-of-life care, and later served as a mental health therapist for children in underserved communities throughout Southern Los Angeles.

 

While working full-time in a PACE program, a Medi-Cal–funded healthcare model for older adults, Ani launched Solace Mental Health Therapy which rapidly grew from a solo practice into a group practice of 21 licensed and pre-licensed therapists serving clients across California.

 

Ani expanded Solace after recognizing that many therapists in private practice lacked the mentorship and resources necessary to thrive. She has proudly guided numerous therapists who began their journeys at Solace and have since gone on to open their own practices.

 

Looking ahead, Ani envisions Solace not only as a center for healing but also as a consulting and mentorship hub for independent therapists offering guidance, community, and support to help them build their own successful and sustainable practices without burnout

 
By appointment only. In-person or telehealth.