I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with almost 10 years of experience working with diverse populations within a variety of settings including hospitals, forensic/correctional facilities, underserved communities, and private practice. My education includes a formal component of Neuropsychological rehab. I specialize in working with adults/elders experiencing adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, relational difficulties or cognitive deficits. As a dynamic/motivated professional, I like to see each day as a new opportunity to challenge and improve myself. Traveling to different countries, cooking and dancing are always part of my journey of personal growth and appreciation.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Initial sessions are the result of important decisions, brave actions, and challenging processes. Starting therapy and meeting your therapist for the first time can be challenging, but it can also be the beginning of a meaningful journey. My priority during first sessions is to help my clients feel welcomed, comfortable, safe, and informed. This first meeting is often about getting to know each other, discussing relevant information about the therapy process and what to expect from it, and going over what clients would like to accomplish in this space.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My ability to work effectively with clients is based on multiple factors, including having a strong academic formation, diverse and relevant work experiences, and a commitment with my professional development and growth. I combine my formal training and clinical skills with values that include compassion, respect, and flexibility to work from a holistic approach that focuses on the positive side of human nature like people’s needs, potential and motivation. As a Bilingual psychologist with experience working with the Hispano/Latino community, I recognize the challenges of acculturation processes and I am committed to promote services based on cultural competence. I work collaboratively with patients on their goals and treatment options, always taking into consideration their personal background, unique experiences, priorities and values.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
My clients include professionals in different stages in their career, women navigating diverse roles (or the combination of them), people struggling to accept or adjust to life changes and unexpected challenges, and with those dealing with generational trauma and taking the first steps to break cycles. They often seek therapy as they recognize feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the "here-and-now" and their values. A good fit for me is a client that is open to work on our alliance and willing to collaborate towards developing the tools needed to make the goal of improving, a reality.
About Vanessa Torres Garcia
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
For more than five years I have used this empirically supported therapeutic approach to help my clients understand and embrace difficult thoughts, emotions, sensations and experiences. The core components of ACT help clients to reduce the distress associated to controlling thoughts/experiences, and to increase their engagement in activities that are meaningful and consistent with their personal values. We will used ACT to help you develop self-awareness into what is keeping you stuck, to help you identify the areas in your life that are important and motivate you, to learn how to change unhelpful behaviors and focus on actions that will get you closer to your values and a meaningful life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a psychological treatment approach with ample scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of its methods for various mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. I utilize CBT with clients that can benefit from empowerment to learn how to recognize and change negative thinking patterns, learn and implement skills to solve problems and manage psychological distress adaptively, develop flexibility in their thinking, and engage in positive behaviors that may lead to enjoyable experiences. The therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is based on collaboration, support, understanding, and empowerment; fostering client's resilience and a healthy sense of confidence their own ability to deal and adapt to the challenges that life can bring.
Psychoeducation
I consider psychoeducation as one of the most valuable components of psychotherapy. I utilize psychoeducation as an intervention to assist clients, families, and caregivers to better understand mental health symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment. Facilitating appropriate knowledge, skills, and resources can help clients to increase awareness of their mental health needs, learn how to manage their symptoms, and empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
My awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity present in Illinois have motivated me to better understand and meet the needs and goals of its communities and individuals. I recognize that cultural humility is an essential and continued process of therapy, incorporate cultural sensitivity in my therapy work to engage I approach my work with clients continued process of growth in humility, openness, interest, and flexibility.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma is not uncommon, but individuals frequently struggle to recognize traumatic experiences and their significant effects and potentially long-lasting impact in their lives. For almost 10 years I have implemented the principles of the Trauma Informed Care approach into my work to collaborate with clients and survivors to create safe and trustworthy spaces of healing and empowerment.