Desiree Gonzalez
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 16 years of clinical experience supporting adults, couples, families, and adolescents through addiction, trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, and significant life transitions. I specialize in substance use and recovery, including alcohol and drug use, relapse prevention, codependency, family recovery, and the effects of addiction on relationships. My trauma-informed approach recognizes how past experiences, family dynamics, mental health, and current stressors can influence the ways we cope, connect, and move through life.
My work is rooted in a holistic, trauma-informed approach that recognizes the complex connection between mental health, addiction, and family dynamics.
My work is collaborative, compassionate, and practical. I draw from evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Relapse Prevention. Together, we will identify your strengths, understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop realistic strategies for meaningful and sustainable change. Whether you are working toward recovery, healing from trauma, navigating relationship difficulties, or seeking greater emotional balance, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and respected. Treatment is personalized to your needs, with an emphasis on helping you build resilience, strengthen relationships, and create a healthier, more fulfilling life.
First session
Your first session is a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can begin to feel heard and supported. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy—whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, relationship stress, or a major life transition—and clarify what you’d like to change or better understand. I’ll ask about your personal history, strengths, and support systems so we can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. You’re always in control of the pace, and there’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready for. By the end of our first meeting, you’ll have a clearer sense of how therapy works, what our work together may look like, and practical next steps toward healing and lasting change.
Strengths
I bring warmth, authenticity, and more than 16 years of clinical experience to my sessions. I work to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can speak honestly and feel genuinely heard, while also offering thoughtful feedback and gentle challenges when they can help you move forward. One of my strengths is helping clients recognize the connections between past experiences, current emotions, relationship patterns, and coping behaviors. I balance deeper emotional exploration with practical strategies drawn from trauma-informed care, CBT, attachment-based therapy, family systems therapy, and addiction treatment. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and direct. Whether you are working to break an unhealthy pattern, strengthen a relationship, establish boundaries, or heal from painful experiences, I will help you build insight and develop tools you can use beyond the therapy room. Clients often share that they feel deeply understood and more confident in their ability to navigate challenges and create lasting change.
Ideal clients
I love working with those who are motivated to explore the underlying dynamics of their mental health and relational challenges, as well as those seeking to cultivate healthier connections and a deeper understanding of themselves and their loved ones.
Treatment methods
Trauma Informed Care
About Me I am a Licensed Therapist with over 16 years of clinical experience helping individuals, couples, and families overcome challenges related to substance use disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based, and client-centered therapy that empowers clients to heal, grow, and thrive. Therapeutic Approach My approach is holistic and integrative, combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Relapse Prevention, and Trauma-Informed Care to support emotional wellness and sustainable recovery. I address the interconnection between mental health, addiction, trauma, and family systems, helping clients build insight, resilience, and healthier relationships. I also draw from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Attachment-Focused Therapy to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and inner healing. Specializations ✅ Substance Use Disorders & Addiction Recovery – Expertise in CBT, motivational enhancement, relapse prevention, and dual-diagnosis treatment to support long-term sobriety. ✅ Trauma & PTSD Recovery – Skilled in trauma-informed, somatic, and mindfulness-based interventions to help clients process and release past pain safely. ✅ Family & Relationship Therapy – Experienced in family systems and communication-focused therapy to improve connection, understanding, and relational health. ✅ Anxiety, Depression & Life Transitions – Supportive strategies to manage stress, build coping skills, and restore balance. Therapeutic Style ✔ Client-Centered: I provide a warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and supported. ✔ Integrative: I tailor treatment plans to each client’s unique needs, blending therapeutic techniques for maximum effectiveness. ✔ Collaborative: I partner with clients to develop personalized strategies that foster empowerment, resilience, and lasting change. ✔ Strengths-Based: I help clients identify and build on existing strengths to achieve meaningful personal growth. Professional Experience With extensive experience in private practice, outpatient programs, hospital settings, and community mental health, I bring a comprehensive understanding of behavioral health across diverse populations. My work focuses on helping clients manage substance use, heal from trauma, improve communication, and reconnect with their sense of purpose and well-being.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 47138