(she/her)
Often rebooked
Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Los Angeles and Fresno California. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and have been practicing for the past 8 years. I work with adults and older adults navigating anxiety, depression, gender dysphoria, life transitions, and identity-related stressors. Much of my clinical experience has centered on supporting underserved communities of color within correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and community mental health settings. I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ individuals, including queer and trans people of color, and have experience facilitating LGBTQ+ support groups as well as collaborating within gender-affirming care teams. My approach is grounded in cultural humility, authenticity, and creating a space where clients feel seen, affirmed, and empowered in their healing journey. I strive to provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences, strengthen coping skills, and reconnect with their sense of self and community.
In our first session together, we’ll begin with brief introductions, review your intake questionnaire, discuss your expectations for therapy, and explore the specific challenges bringing you into treatment. This initial session is also an opportunity for us to begin building rapport and determine whether we feel like a good therapeutic fit for one another. You’ll have space to ask any questions you may have about the therapy process, my approach, or what to expect moving forward. Together, we’ll begin identifying your goals for therapy and explore where you would like your life to be in the next month, six months, and year. From there, we can start developing personalized strategies and supportive tools to help you move toward those goals. We will also discuss scheduling, availability, and what ongoing treatment may look like moving forward.
What stands out most about my therapeutic approach is my commitment to creating an affirming, culturally responsive, and nonjudgmental space for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly queer and trans people of color. Much of my professional experience has involved working within underserved communities and collaborating with gender-affirming care teams, which has deepened my understanding of the unique challenges many clients face related to identity, discrimination, trauma, and systemic barriers. I strive to build authentic therapeutic relationships where clients feel safe, seen, and empowered to show up fully as themselves. My approach combines compassion, cultural humility, and practical skill-building to help clients navigate anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity exploration, and healing from past experiences. Clients often appreciate my ability to balance validation and emotional support with directness, collaboration, and goal-oriented care tailored to their individual needs.
I am best positioned to serve adults and older adults from diverse backgrounds who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity-related stressors, life transitions, and challenges related to self-esteem or emotional regulation. I am especially passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, including queer, trans, and gender-expansive people, particularly queer and trans people of color who may be navigating discrimination, family conflict, societal pressures, or identity exploration.
Gender-affirming therapy
I also incorporate Gender-Affirming Therapy into my work with transgender, nonbinary, gender-expansive, and questioning individuals. This approach centers on creating a safe, affirming, and supportive space where clients can openly explore their gender identity and expression without fear of judgment or pathologization. I recognize the impact that discrimination, stigma, family dynamics, and systemic barriers can have on mental health, and I strive to support clients in navigating these experiences while building self-confidence, authenticity, and resilience. My work may include exploring identity development, coping with dysphoria, strengthening support systems, and collaborating with gender-affirming care teams when appropriate. Above all, I aim to help clients feel seen, validated, and empowered in their journey toward living more fully as themselves.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Another approach I commonly use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through CBT, we work together to identify unhelpful thought patterns, self-critical beliefs, and behaviors that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, stress, or low self-esteem. I support clients in developing healthier coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, and building practical tools they can apply in their daily lives. CBT is often a collaborative and goal-oriented approach that empowers clients to challenge negative thinking patterns, increase self-awareness, and create meaningful, lasting changes over time.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
One of the primary approaches I use in therapy is Person-Centered Therapy, which focuses on creating a supportive, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I believe that each person is the expert of their own life, and my role is to help guide and support clients in identifying their strengths, values, and goals. Through authenticity, compassion, active listening, and collaboration, I work to build a strong therapeutic relationship that fosters self-awareness, personal growth, and healing. This approach can be especially empowering for individuals navigating identity exploration, life transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, and experiences of marginalization or discrimination.
6 ratings with written reviews
January 21, 2026
I really appreciate Dee's conscientiousness and ability to empathize with her clients. This was only my first session, but I can see how absolutely sincere and compassionate she is. She is both tactful and supportive. I really look forward to working with her! Thank you so much, Dee!
October 31, 2025
Dee was an amazing experience, as someone who has never really liked therapy, She was able to make me feel comfortable and give me something to look forward too. Dee was able to connect with me in subjects having to do with LGBTQ+ and Latino culture. She was warm and welcoming and had some funny jokes. I was able to resonate my experiences with her and she was extremely bright. I look forward to continuing my sessions with her.
July 21, 2025
Dee is amazing. She has made me feel heard and supported in every session, and I truly feel like I've accomplished a great deal of inner work with her guidance. Thank you, Dee!