Silvia Lazaro-Estala
Hola, I’m Silvia, a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who especially enjoys working with teens, young adults, and young mothers. I provide virtual therapy in a warm, supportive, and judgment-free space where you can feel comfortable showing up as yourself. I work with clients who may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, family stress, trauma, or major life transitions. I also understand that sometimes you may not know exactly what is wrong... you just know that something feels heavy or that you have not been feeling like yourself. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported while we work together toward meaningful change.
First session
Your first session is really about getting to know each other and helping you feel comfortable. I know starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you have never been in therapy before, so there is no pressure to share everything at once. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, what has been feeling difficult, what you would like to be different, and what you hope to get from our work together. I will also answer your questions and help us begin identifying goals that feel realistic and meaningful to you.
Strengths
I bring warmth, patience, humor, and a genuine, down-to-earth approach to therapy. I know that opening up to a new therapist can feel uncomfortable or even a little awkward, so I do not expect you to walk into the first session knowing exactly what to say. Building trust and creating a strong connection are important parts of my work. My approach is collaborative, practical, and strengths-based. I want therapy to feel useful in your everyday life, not just during the hour we spend together. We may work on understanding emotions, recognizing patterns, building coping skills, improving communication, setting boundaries, strengthening self-confidence, or finding healthier ways to manage stress. I also have several years of experience providing telehealth therapy and work to make virtual sessions feel engaging, personal, and comfortable.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is a teen, young adult, or young mother who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, sad, or unsure of how to manage everything happening in their life. They may be navigating ADHD, relationship or family stress, school or work pressures, identity, parenting, trauma, or a major life transition. You do not have to come to therapy knowing exactly what you want to work on. I enjoy working with clients who are open to having a supportive space to better understand themselves, build confidence, and learn healthier ways to cope with life's challenges.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, or feeling stuck. I help clients learn practical ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts, build healthier coping skills, and respond to difficult situations differently. With teens and young adults, I try to make CBT feel relatable and practical rather than overly clinical. We may use real-life examples, worksheets, conversations, or simple strategies that clients can practice between sessions. My goal is to help clients develop tools they can continue using independently in their everyday lives.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach by creating a space that feels safe, respectful, and collaborative. I understand that past experiences can influence how we think, feel, relate to others, and respond to stress, even when we may not always recognize the connection right away. I work at a pace that feels comfortable for each client and never expect someone to share more than they are ready to. Together, we may focus on building emotional safety, understanding triggers, strengthening coping skills, improving self-compassion, and developing a greater sense of control and confidence. My goal is to help clients feel supported and empowered without defining them by what they have been through.
Location
Virtual sessions