(he/him)
New to Grow
Hello, my name is Gabriel Perfecto, LMFT - I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Jose State University and my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco. Throughout my career, I've worked in community mental health clinics serving those with severe mental illness and a criminal justice history. I've worked with Santa Clara County's Mobile Crisis Response Team to assist community individuals who may be experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Additionally, I've conducted therapy to children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and couples within the private practice space. I enjoy utilizing a wide range of clinical modalities which include a person-centered approach and combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, and Gottman Method for couples.
Whether this is a first time experience for therapy or even a return to therapy, it is important to me to really understand you and what concerns you may hold about therapy. I find a huge importance on developing our therapeutic relationship very early on as this paves the road to a deeper understanding of yourself and what brought you to therapy. You can expect me to ask questions about your current thoughts and worries about therapy along with your own expectations. Ultimately, I am here to collaborate with you to determine what is best in achieving your goals.
I am a fairly relaxed therapist that will not use the book and throw various therapeutic jargon at you. I'm a human, just like you, so I believe the best way to assist you in therapy is with an authentic human connection. This is where I believe a person-centered approach grants the genuine connection between Client and Therapist. Through our therapeutic alliance, we will develop a better understanding of what concerns may be holding you back from reaching your full potential.
I enjoy working with young adults to full adulthood that may hold a number of concerns regarding life transition, mood related issues (anxiety, depression, etc.), substance use history, communication within relationships, conflict resolution, parenting, men's issues, or development of newer habits. I believe the most impact within therapy comes from a strong therapeutic alliance between Client and Therapist. This Client-Centered approach allows for a deeper understanding for the individual along with a better formulation of what changes may assist the Client in feeling better overall.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize CBT to assist Client's in discovering various thought patterns that may impact their day-to-day livelihood. With these patterns in check, I collaborate with the Client to recognize unhelpful behaviors that may interfere with progression and offer reframes that may better suit the Client.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing as a process to assist Client's determining their desire for change. I apply this with Client's who have experienced substance abuse or even those who are thinking about making changes in their lives.
Trauma Informed Care
My approach to Clients is with an understanding of how prior traumas, big or small, may have an impact to their daily lives. With this basis of knowledge, I explore with Clients what may continue to trouble them whether they are consciously or subconsciously aware.
Couples Counseling
I work with couples in various stages of their relationships and often reference the Gottman Method in my couples work through development of better communication skills, building empathy towards their partner, and establishing a re-connection through identification of their relationship foundation.