(she/her)
Hi, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my master's from California State Dominquez Hills and have been practicing for 15 years. I help adults and adolescents who are experiencing life challenges become more productive in their personal lives and in their community. My specialties are in the areas of relationship challenges and clinical issues such as anxiety, depression, mood, anger, impulsivity, and self-esteem. Moreover, I have experience with families dealing with child abuse, family custody challenges, substance abuse counseling (men/women), psychotherapy (men/women/adolescents), and group services. My clinical training and therapeutic skills have helped individuals navigate life's experiences through their ups and downs. I am confident in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Coping Skills Development with a client-centered and solution-focused approach. I focus closely on what I can offer to help, taking one step at a time, keeping the communication active, and empowering individuals to concentrate on self-care. Most of all, to build individuals' motivation to enhance their everyday living.
First, it's important to create a welcoming environment where you feel safe and comfortable and have ownership of your therapy session. Then, I will get to know you by actively listening to your reported needs and desired goals. This phase is called rapport building. Next, I will (empower you) work closely with you to set attainable goals and, lastly, discuss therapy expectations.
My greatest strengths as a provider often include: empathy, active listening, strong communication skills, patience, non-judgmental attitude, the ability to build rapport, good observation skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of human behavior; all contributing to creating a safe space for clients to share their experiences and work towards healing.
I am best positioned to support individuals who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional regulation challenges, particularly those who feel overwhelmed by their thoughts, emotions, or life circumstances. Many of the clients I work with experience racing thoughts, mood instability, low self-esteem, and difficulty managing stress in relationships or daily responsibilities. I work well with clients who may feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, avoidance, or unhealthy relationship dynamics, including those impacted by childhood or adult trauma, attachment concerns, or family-related stressors. I also support individuals who are working through parenting stress, co-parenting challenges, and life transitions, and who want to build stability and confidence in their roles and decisions. My approach is especially helpful for clients who are ready to gain insight into their emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and improve communication and boundaries. I provide a supportive and structured environment where clients can learn to manage anxiety, regulate emotions, process past experiences, and build a stronger sense of self-worth. I am best aligned with clients who are motivated for change, even if they are unsure where to begin, and who are open to learning practical tools to improve their mental health, relationships, and overall functioning.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As a 15 years experienced psychotherapist, I utilize and implement cognitive behavioral therapy as a tool and method to help individuals identify ways to decrease negative thinking, learn to recognize distorted thinking and false beliefs, identify self-help strategies, develop ways to improve mood and behavior and to help individuals to identify ways to learn to deal with overwhelming problems by breaking them into smaller parts viewing situations more clearly and responding to challenging situations more effectively. Overall, the primary goal of implementing cognitive behavioral therapy is to help individuals identify self-help methods and skills to improve their daily functioning. Areas of expertise • Self- Esteem/ Self-management • Relationship problems • Mindfulness • Problem Solving • Stress management • Mood regulation • Cognitive restructuring
11 ratings with written reviews
April 18, 2026
Great initial session. Looking forward to my next visit.
March 23, 2026
I've never had a therapist before where I have felt completely heard. I was able to reference things that have happened and from the very first appointment, she nailed the problem. All of her suspicions about potential triggers/problems were all things other therapists had mentioned previously, but so far, she has been able to put them together for a personalized treatment plan that actually feels like it will help.
January 21, 2026
Looking forward to my next session I really enjoyed speaking with Latanya today.