Vanessa Prado

LCSW, 10 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

Does this sound like you? On the outside, you appear capable, driven, and responsible—the person who consistently meets every expectation. But internally, you may feel emotionally drained, disconnected, or weighed down by past experiences. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or a major life transition, these challenges can leave you feeling stuck and questioning your sense of balance. I work with teens and adults who are ready to look beneath the surface. Together, we work to better understand your experiences, heal from the past, and develop practical ways to cope so you can feel more grounded and aligned with the life you want to create. Struggling to "fix the issue" on your own isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you’re human. I believe therapy should feel real, collaborative, and deeply grounded. In our sessions, you will find a steady, down-to-earth space where we work side by side to help you move forward with renewed confidence.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our work together, we’ll start by clarifying where you are now and where you want to be—whether that’s a month or six months from today. We’ll map out your goals and identify the practical tools you need to reach them, ensuring you leave each session with a clearer perspective and 'right now' actions you can actually use. This process is entirely collaborative—we’ll continuously check in on what’s working, adjust our approach as needed, and keep the focus on moving you forward.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring over a decade of experience to our sessions, utilizing primary modalities like CBT and EMDR to provide a clear path for healing and change. By combining these proven strategies with a down-to-earth, collaborative approach, I help you tackle the 'why' behind your struggles while giving you the practical 'how' for moving forward. Whether we are re-wiring long-standing beliefs or processing past trauma, our work is always focused on helping you feel more aligned and in control

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work with motivated older teens and adults who are ready to invest in their personal growth and emotional well-being. My clients may experience anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, high-functioning anxiety, or challenges related to life transitions and work-life balance. I provide a supportive, collaborative space focused on building insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping clients feel more grounded, confident, and empowered in daily life.

Specialties

Top specialties
Other specialties

Grief

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we work on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, increasing self-awareness, and developing practical strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and everyday challenges. My approach to CBT is collaborative, supportive, and goal-oriented. I aim to create a space where you feel comfortable exploring your experiences while also building skills you can use in your daily life. This may include learning effective coping strategies, practicing new ways of thinking, and gaining confidence in navigating difficult situations. My goal is to help you feel more in control, supported, and equipped with tools that create lasting, positive change.

EMDR

I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and often use this approach to support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma. These challenges are often connected to past experiences that continue to impact how you think, feel, and respond in the present. EMDR helps your brain process those experiences so they feel less overwhelming and no longer hold the same emotional intensity. In our work together, we move at a pace that feels safe and manageable. We start by building coping skills to help you feel grounded and supported, especially if you’re dealing with anxiety or strong emotional reactions. As we move into reprocessing, I guide you through structured exercises that help shift how distressing memories are stored, which can reduce symptoms like constant worry, low mood, triggers, or negative self-beliefs. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on helping you feel more in control of your thoughts and emotions. Many clients find that EMDR not only brings relief from anxiety and depression, but also helps them feel more confident, present, and connected to themselves as they heal from past experiences.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.