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Calm has teamed up with Grow Therapy to connect you with a mental health therapist who accepts your health insurance.

Gerard Artesona

LMFT, 5 years of experience
Holistic
Empowering
Authentic
VirtualAvailable

I received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University) in 2012. In addition to my graduate training, I hold certifications in Psychedelic Integration, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Somatic Therapy, and yoga instruction. Before beginning my private practice, I worked in a range of clinical and community settings, including psychiatric facilities, community mental health programs, group rehabilitation homes, and correctional institutions. My experience includes supporting migrants, minors, and adults; individuals detoxing from drugs and alcohol; and clients participating in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy integration groups. I have had the privilege of working with people of all ages, gender identities, racial backgrounds, and mental health concerns. In my private practice, I currently focus on working with adults navigating the effects of complex trauma, depression, anxiety, major life transitions, existential questions, chronic illness, neurodivergence, and non-ordinary states of consciousness. Many of the therapeutic modalities I use are those that have deeply transformed my own life. I am passionate about sharing the tools and practices that have supported my healing, in service of others’ growth and our collective wellbeing. I also offer sliding scale options for those who need them—please don’t hesitate to reach out if this would make therapy more accessible for you. I DO TAKE KAISER! The option might not appear unless you have received a referral. Please contact four08-402-4385 or kaisersupport at growtherapy dot com for help with this process!

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a sense of safety and trust. I’ll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, what’s been challenging, and what you hope to explore or work toward. There’s no pressure to have it all figured out—many people come in simply knowing that something doesn’t feel right or that they’re ready for change. I’ll also share a bit about how I work, answer any questions you may have, and together we’ll begin to shape what therapy might look like for you. This first meeting is less about diving deep into the hardest material right away, and more about creating a space that feels supportive and grounded. You’re welcome to bring anything that feels important—stories, emotions, questions, or simply yourself as you are that day. My goal is for you to leave the session with a sense of being heard, understood, and hopeful about the work ahead.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I work with clients from diverse communities who seek support with challenges related to racial and ethnic identity, major life transitions, and existential questions. My approach is integrative and holistic, drawing from somatic, mindfulness-based, and transpersonal orientations. I also offer psychedelic integration support that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and rooted in reciprocity and respect for Indigenous wisdom and ways of knowing. At the heart of my work is a belief in our innate capacity for healing and wholeness. I hold space for forgiveness, compassion, and patience—for ourselves and for the unique unfolding of our journeys. Together, we explore how the body, mind, and spirit can reconnect in ways that bring a deeper sense of alignment, presence, and vitality. My experience includes supporting individuals navigating depression, trauma, anxiety, and family-of-origin dynamics. In our work, I aim to help you expand the lens through which you see yourself and the world—to recognize the patterns that have shaped you and rediscover the wisdom and strength that have always been within. And while our sessions may touch on profound and sometimes tender territory, I also believe in the healing power of humor. Moments of laughter and lightness are part of being human—and often, they remind us of our own resilience and capacity for joy.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work with adults who are ready to engage in meaningful, transformative work—whether you’re navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, major life transitions, or questions of identity, purpose, and meaning. I have particular experience supporting clients from BIPOC and multicultural backgrounds, as well as those seeking integration after psychedelic experiences or other non-ordinary states of consciousness. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for change. You don’t need to have all the answers—curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore your inner world are often the most important first steps. For those drawn to deeper reflection, our work can also invite exploration of consciousness, personal growth, and the broader meaning of your experiences. We usually begin by meeting weekly, allowing space to build trust, consistency, and momentum. As you gain insight, confidence, and stability, we can adjust the rhythm of sessions to fit your evolving needs. Therapy with me is both practical and soulful—a place to process challenges, uncover strengths, reconnect with what feels alive, and expand your sense of possibility. Together, we create a space that is compassionate, grounding, and, yes, occasionally lighthearted—because humor and curiosity are powerful allies in the healing journey.

SpecialtiesTop specialties
Depression
Men's Issues
Racism
Other specialties
Anxiety
First Responders/Healthcare Workers
Life Transitions
I identify as
Hispanic / Latinx
Man
Person of Color (POC)
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods

Somatic

Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to healing that recognizes how trauma, stress, and emotional pain are stored not only in the mind but also in the physical body. Rather than relying solely on talk therapy, it invites you to gently reconnect with your internal sensations—such as breath, tension, movement, and posture—to access deeper awareness and release patterns of stress or dysregulation. Through techniques like guided breathing, mindfulness, grounding, and slow tracking of bodily sensations, somatic therapy helps you build emotional resilience, regulate your nervous system, and cultivate a stronger mind–body connection. In sessions, we move at a pace that feels safe and supportive, gradually exploring sensations and responses so you can process difficult experiences without becoming overwhelmed. This work empowers you to gently unwind what feels “stuck” and to reclaim a greater sense of safety, agency, and wholeness in your daily life.

Transpersonal

My original inspiration to study transpersonal psychology was birthed from the depths of some powerfully transformative psychedelic experiences I had while in my undergraduate studies. To some great extent, I am very much still riding the inspiration they bestowed on to me back then. through this metamorphic catharsis I came to understand that spiritual experiences and non-ordinary states of consciousness held great healing potential and are very much indeed a legitimate part of the human experience. Whether its psychedelic integration, dreams, deja vu, precognition, or other sorts of phenomena, I consider it a honor to help you find how to live in balance with these experiences and how they can help make sense within the larger picture of who you are.

Racial trauma treatment

Racial trauma therapy is a healing approach that acknowledges the deep emotional, psychological, and physical impact of racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression, while also recognizing how these wounds can be carried across generations. It provides a safe, validating space to explore personal experiences of racialized stress—such as microaggressions, chronic vigilance, or identity-based pain—alongside the inherited effects of historical and ancestral trauma. This work supports you in understanding how patterns of fear, survival, and resilience may have been passed down through your family and how they continue to shape your sense of safety, identity, and belonging today. Through a blend of talk therapy, somatic practices, cultural affirmation, and grounding techniques, racial trauma therapy helps you process both lived and inherited wounds, regulate your nervous system, and challenge internalized messages. The goal is to foster intergenerational healing by breaking cycles of harm, reconnecting you with ancestral strength, and empowering you to move forward with greater freedom, dignity, and wholeness.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

Person-centered therapy is a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach that places you at the center of your own healing process. Rooted in the belief that every person has an innate capacity for growth, this therapy emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. Rather than directing or interpreting your experience for you, I offer a warm, supportive environment where you feel truly heard, seen, and accepted. In this space, you are encouraged to explore your thoughts, feelings, and challenges at your own pace, developing a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs. Through this collaborative and empowering process, person-centered therapy helps you build self-trust, align with your values, and move toward greater clarity, confidence, and emotional well-being.

, 28 ratings
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.