About Dr. Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT

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She/Her/Hers

Hi! I’m Dr. Panicha McGuire, and I’m the founder of Living Lotus Therapy. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Play Therapist. I have a passion for helping children, teens, and young adults transform their lives and achieve their goals.  My journey began with my curiosity about human relationships and personalities which led me to obtain my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Behavior at UC Irvine. During my time as an undergraduate, I worked as a Behavior Interventionist using Applied Behavior Analysis with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or are neurodiverse. I felt the need to learn more about family systems and how to help individuals beyond behavioral changes. I completed my Master’s and Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University in order to expand my wealth of knowledge in the field.

Who I Am as a Therapist:

I am a neurodiversity-affirming psychotherapist. My goal for all my clients is that they would have a safe space to experience a powerful transformation in themselves and their relationships.  I believe that having an authentic and collaborative relationship is essential in our work together.  I show my personality through my practice, and I will laugh and cry with you. I use a variety of evidence-based practices to equip you with the skills needed to take on life’s challenges.  At the same time, I will empower you and help you gain insight into the resources you already have.  The greatest gift in this profession is for me to help people develop a fulfilling and meaningful life. 

Who I Am Outside of Therapy:

I was born in Bangkok, Thailand and moved to Los Angeles, CA when I was 5 years old. I went to graduate school in San Diego, CA and now I currently live in Honolulu, HI. I am a military spouse so I had to adapt to many new situations and challenges. This also means I value quality time with my family and am constantly working towards enjoying each moment as it arises. I have two dogs, ObiWan (as in the Jedi!) and Nala (currently working on becoming a therapy dog). In my spare time, I enjoy practicing yoga and playing video games. My spouse and I participate in almost every Comic-Con and Wonder-Con. My ultimate goal in life is to travel and see as much of the world as possible.

The Meaning Behind the Lotus:

I chose the name Living Lotus because the lotus has been used as a symbol of rebirth and transformation across many cultures. A lotus can grow and thrive even in the murkiest of waters. I grew up near Echo Park in Los Angeles, CA and I religiously attended the annual lotus festival. Unfortunately, the lake became more and more polluted as time went on. To my surprise, the lotus stalks always found a way to poke up to the surface each Spring. Although we should really work on cleaning the pollution, the symbolism still remains. Growth and transformation is possible no matter the size of your challenge or mess. Let’s go through this journey together.