My name is Claudia Pineda. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have had a passion for helping people from a young age and have known I wanted to be a therapist for most of my life. I attended CSU Stanislaus where I obtained my Bachelors in Sociology and my Masters in Social Work. I have 9 years of experience as an LCSW providing psychotherapy, conducting assessments, formulating diagnosis and creating treatment plans. However, I have 3 years of experience in this field pre-licensure. I have worked closely with children, adolescents, adults and families. I worked for a non profit organization for 2 years helping at risk youth and their families. I also worked for a number of years in a BHRS county department assessing and providing patients with psychotherapy. I have experience in completing crisis evaluations in hospitals and jail settings, so I can easily identify those warning signs and refer to appropriate care.
I will always create a safe space for my patients. It’s really important for me, that my patients feel comfortable in our sessions. Our first session will consist of getting to know each other. I will particularly want to know what led you to therapy and your main concerns.
I have received feedback from previous patients who have indicated that they felt I created a safe space for them, was open minded, compassionate and empathetic. I always go above and beyond for my patients and make sure to make the appropriate referrals when necessary.
I use this modality frequently for patients with depression and anxiety. CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are closely related and affect our well-being. It assists in recognizing negative or inaccurate thinking patterns so people can respond to challenging situations more effectively.
SFT is a collaborative approach that focuses on identifying and achieving goals.