New to Grow
As a licensed psychotherapist, I have become quite the encourager for reminding clients that mental health is absolutely a vital piece of the puzzle when considering overall well-being. Mental health and stability are so important, and I commend you for reaching out to take care of your mental health care needs. I have been seeing clients since 2018. I graduated from Antioch University, Los Angeles' LGBT Affirmative specialization and my focus is working with gay Latino men, or men who have sex with men. I am, however, open to working with anyone as therapy is not so much theory-based but relationship-based, so having a strong rapport with the client is always of utmost importance.
I practice therapy from a client-centered and existentialist lens. I employ curiosity about the way clients navigate this incredibly complex world, and I will collaborate with you on meaning-making, purpose, self-awareness, and other goals to help you live more authentically. In our first session, we will explore what brought you to therapy and decide appropriate ways to help you achieve these goals.
I work with clients who struggle with anxious, depressive, and relational issues. But I explore more deeply the client's relationship and existence in this world too. How does one exist in this incredibly complex world? What is my purpose in life? How can I live more authentically? During our initial sessions, we delve deeply into this and create goals on meaning-making and authenticity.
Are you a man who feels he needs to hide behind his masculine identity in order to prove to others that you are strong, and identify as gay, bi, or have sex with other men? Are you ashamed of this? I can help you find more meaning in this incredibly difficult and complex world that we all must learn to navigate. I can help you feel more connected with yourself and help you feel less shame about simply being who you are. I can help guide you towards a more purposeful path. Existing is hard. Society can be so cruel to us. There are so many narratives that we must learn to subscribe to, many times against our will. But the good news is, we don’t have to! As the author of your life, you have the authority to do the dictating. This has always been your story. You have the power to rewrite it to reflect your wants and desires. I can empathize with toxic pressures to conform to society’s dominant narrative of trying to be a “real man,” especially when one is struggling with internalized shame. If you are a female partner of someone struggling with this, I can help you as well and provide a safe space free from judgment. No one has to struggle alone. Please reach out. I welcome it!
Humanistic
I approach therapy from a very curious and philosophical lens. I strive to create a warm, inviting, and caring environment to help you feel at ease so that we can dig deeper through painful and vulnerable moments. And I will be here with you every step of the way for that. I can handle anything you tell me. I favor humanistic therapies such as person-centered, narrative, and existential, as well as positive psychology. I am very curious about how people navigate this incredibly complex world we live in and the relationships that we foster.
Eclectic
A strong and trustworthy therapeutic alliance is key when beginning work with a therapist. My goal is for you to trust me so that I can hold a safe space for you. I see myself not as the expert in this alliance (as that would be you), but as a collaborator on this mental health journey with you. I am here to not only help guide you, but listen, empathize, validate, challenge, and encourage you. I will commit to journey down this path with you to help you reach your mental health care goals. As such, therapy can look different for different people. The therapeutic journey is tailored specifically to every individual client so I can pull from different modalities and theories when it comes to treatment.