Hi there! My name is Marlene. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I've had the pleasure of working in mental health for over 5 years. I specialize in working with teens and adults struggling with depression and anxiety. I provide trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive care. It is always my goal to have you feel safe and understood during our time together.
During our first session, we'll talk about the things that bring you to therapy, what you hope to get out of this experience, and the expectations you have of me and of therapy in general. We'll also get to know each other. It's important to feel comfortable with your therapist in order to make progress in therapy, so I want to make sure that you think "we're a good fit". At the end of our first session, we'll make a plan of the things we'll be working on moving forward.
The thing I'm most proud of, in regards to my clinical approach, is that I truly care about my clients. It's important for me to go beyond just providing evidenced-based care. This means I strive to make each session feel safe and productive, and that I meet you were you are that week. Whether it means working on coping skills or talking about the movie you watched over the weekend, my goal for each session is that our time together will impact your overall well-being positively.
Marlene Cortes offers therapy covered by Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal in California.
In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address the challenges of depression and anxiety in teens and young adults. I've had four years of training under the guidance and supervision of a seasoned CBT practitioner. This experience has allowed me to witness the transformative power of CBT firsthand, as I've worked collaboratively with my clients to identify and reframe negative thought patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and instill behavioral changes to improve mental well-being.
I am also trained in psychodynamic theory. I use this approach to help clients that are struggling with self-related challenges and unprocessed trauma. Specifically, I work with clients to foster a deeper understanding of the self and illuminate connections between past traumas and present struggles. I also emphasize the exploration of unconscious patterns, early life experiences, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.