Licensed to practice in California. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 3 more.
Clients say this provider is
Hi there, I’m Raquel, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. So many of us are taught to push through hard feelings and keep going, even when we’re running on empty. I’m here to offer you a gentle place to pause, take a breath, and just be human. In our sessions, we’ll thoughtfully unpack what’s creating stress or emotional fatigue, untangling old habits and replacing them with practical ways to care for yourself. I believe deeply in your ability to heal, grow, and thrive. Together, we’ll build a foundation of grounded clarity and self-trust so you can navigate life feeling rooted, capable, and truly at peace.
In our first session, we’ll take time to slow things down and really get to know what’s been going on for you. Whether you’re coming in with a clear goal or just a sense that something doesn’t feel quite right, you don’t have to have it all figured out. This space is about meeting you where you are, without judgment. We’ll go at a pace that feels comfortable, talk through what’s been weighing on you, and start to gently make sense of what you’re experiencing. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, supported, and with a little more clarity and steadiness about what the next steps could look like.
I bring a grounded, human presence to every session. My biggest strength is offering a gentle sanctuary where you feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are—messy, tired, uncertain, or anywhere in between. I lead with warmth, intuitive care, and active listening, making sure you feel deeply seen before we dive into problem-solving. Together, we quietly unpack the habits and stress cycles that are holding you back, turning quiet insights into practical tools you can actually use. I adapt our pace to match where you’re at each week, ensuring that our therapeutic relationship feels like a steady, supportive anchor in your life rather than another item on your to-do list.
I work best with individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out, especially if you find yourself overthinking, being hard on yourself, or struggling to make sense of your patterns. My ideal clients are curious about understanding themselves more deeply and are open to exploring both the “why” behind their challenges and practical ways to navigate them. Together, we focus on building self-awareness, coping skills, and confidence so you can move forward with greater clarity, ease, and self-trust. I also enjoy supporting clients in discovering their strengths and resilience, helping them see how the tools and insights we explore in therapy can be applied in their everyday lives.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you gently unpack the connection between what you think, how you feel, and how you react. Unhelpful thought patterns can easily get us stuck, but you don't have to navigate them alone. Together, we’ll identify those hidden loops and build compassionate, healthy strategies to reframe your mindset. My approach is warm, deeply collaborative, and grounded in practical tools you can start using in your daily life right away.
I integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you feel more grounded, resilient, and in control when life feels overwhelming. Together, we’ll gently build practical skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I’m here to walk alongside you in finding that delicate balance between accepting where you are and creating meaningful change, giving you a warm, supportive space to practice these tools and step into your daily life with true confidence.
I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help you gently release the heavy emotional weight of past experiences. Traumatic or distressing memories can often leave us feeling stuck in 'fight, flight, or freeze,' but your brain has a natural capacity to heal. Through compassionate, guided bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements or tactile taps—we’ll reprocess painful events at a pace that feels grounded and safe. My priority is to provide a gentle, supportive sanctuary as you transform old wounds into resilience and a lasting sense of internal peace.
I integrate psychoeducation to help gently unpack what you’re experiencing and bring clarity to thoughts and feelings that can often feel confusing or overwhelming. Understanding how your mind and nervous system respond to stress is a deeply empowering part of healing. Together, we’ll explore practical insights into your mental health, discuss treatment pathways transparently, and build a personalized toolkit. I view our work as a warm, collaborative partnership where knowledge becomes a bridge to self-compassion, confidence, and lasting growth.
A strength-based approach is all about changing the lens through which you view your life. Rather than focusing solely on problems or limitations, we unpack the skills, values, and past triumphs that make up your unique foundation. Together, we’ll look at what is working well and translate those strengths into practical strategies to navigate current challenges, helping you step forward with renewed confidence and self-belief.