Angel Gavilanes
LCSW, 6 years of experience
About me
Award winning Therapist — Therapist of the Year by St. Vincent Hospital - an acknowledgement demonstrating my commitment to the quality care I provide. I offer therapy for burnout, anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma. I also work with individuals who simply want personal growth, clarity, and more control over their lives. As someone who’s sat on the other side of the therapy room, I bring not only clinical training, but real, lived experience. I know how hard it can be to ask for help, find good help, and how important it is to feel truly heard. You are the expert on your life. I am here for you — to be your guide and support.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, I will ensure you feel safe and heard. I would like to clarify realistic expectations of each other. For example, I would like to know what you expect therapy to be like and what you want to get out of it. I will describe how I can help with your growth or problem. I will review some of your history with you and seek clarity to begin to get to know who you are and how life has been for you. Next, we will begin to understand what you want to improve, what you want out of life and start to discuss how to achieve it.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My clients often tell me they finally feel seen, understood, and safe. They appreciate coping skills that I offer them that work. I build strong, real relationships that create space for lasting growth. I use science-based approaches like: •CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) •DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) •CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma) •Person-Centered Therapy (customized just for you).
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with those of you who are ready to get help with your struggles of managing emotions, stress or those who have experienced an event so stressful or hurtful, that you cannot get it out of your mind or cannot stop the painful feelings. I also work well and enjoy working with individuals who simply want to grow by being better people, better communicators, better problem solvers, and who want to be better friends and better family members.
Specialties
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Serves ages
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
You will learn how your thoughts, feelings and actions are connected and how they have shaped your life. You will see new ways to view yourself and your life with new perspectives. This doesnt mean your current views are not valid and they still matter. You will understand how to use negative thoughts and turn them into balanced and productive ones. You will learn how to enhance old habits and unhealthy patterns of behavior to develop new, healthy, productive ones which will cause positive outcomes.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
You will learn effective DBT skills to manage your emotions, improve relaxation skills and improve your relationships. I give assignments for you to practice the skills in between sessions to apply them in your life. You will learn to understand your emotions and feelings. You will learn to ease the discomfort of those feelings. You will develop communication and problem solving skills. By practicing this in sessions and life, it is then that you will make progress happen with your mood and relationships.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe you are the expert in your life. Within you is your greatness. What does this look like? It means you will start to identify real evidence of your strengths. And together we will build on them thereby increasing your confidence.