Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based in California. I received my Masters in Counseling from California State University, Sacramento and have been practicing for 6 years. I have spent all of my professional career supporting children, teens, and young adults in a therapeutic and school setting and I am passionate about creating a safe space in which clients feel heard, seen, and understood.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session together we will take some time getting to know each other. I recognize that it can be really hard to share personal things with someone who you hardly know so this process is really important to me. I will also collect some basic information regarding why you are coming to therapy and what you are hoping to gain from the process. This will help me to understand how to best support you. I will also frequently check in each session to make sure we are both on the same page with how your experience is going and I will make adjustments according to that feedback.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Perhaps my greatest strength as a therapist is my ability to "read the room" and understand a client's unspoken body language. I believe this has served my clients well in that I have able to develop strong and authentic connections with clients.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I absolutely love working with children, teens, and young adults to help them identify their own goals and help them to remove obstacles that stand in the way of them fully enjoying life. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but it’s an exciting opportunity for growth and self-discovery. It’s a safe space where you can talk about what’s on your mind, explore your feelings, and work through challenges at your own pace. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. I am here to support you and help you find the tools to navigate life’s ups and downs. It's completely normal to have mixed feelings about starting—just know that you’re taking a brave step toward understanding yourself better.
About Emily Belgarde
Emily Belgarde offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As a cognitive behavioral therapist, my primary goal is to lead clients to a better understanding of how they think, feel, and behave. One of the primary reasons clients seek out therapy is to be able to better understand how to navigate life's challenges more effectively. I work with clients to help identify negative thought patterns emerging in their life, how to challenge those thoughts and seek truth, with the ultimate goal of improving overall mood and ability to cope. In our sessions, we’ll discuss what’s been going on in your life and how you’ve been feeling, as well as what might be contributing to these feelings. I will work with you to develop healthy coping skills and break negative cycles to improve your overall well being. These might include relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, mindfulness, and behavioral activation. I’ll teach you practical skills to manage stress, solve problems, and handle difficult situations. We’ll set specific goals for what you want to achieve in therapy. This helps us stay focused and measure your progress.
Psychodynamic
Many of us have deeper, often unconscious forces, that influence how we think, feel, and behave. Through the process of psychodynamic therapy we will delve into your past experiences, especially early childhood experiences, to learn how this has shaped who you are and how you relate to others. Through this process of exploration we will gain insight into current problems and how to navigate and resolve them. This process involves past exploration, identifying unconscious patterns, examining relationships in your life, and identifying defense mechanisms. In psychodynamic therapy, the more you are an active participant in the process the more you will benefit. I will be here to guide and support you every step of the way.