LCSW, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, my name is Catalina and I am a licensed clinical social worker. I'm currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area but I work with clients all over California. I am originally from Maryland. Since 2018, I've been helping clients manage anxiety, depression, grief, persistent worries, and life transitions. I believe therapy should give you skills you can use outside our sessions, and we will work on creating a 'mental toolbox' of techniques to feel less overwhelmed and more confident. I like to take a holistic approach; recognizing the connection between the mind and body. I practice from an integrative framework, drawing on evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to address negative thought patterns and empower clients to change their behavior.
The first session is primarily about getting to know you and making sure we're a good fit. It's a relaxed, non-judgmental space, and there's no pressure to have everything figured out. We'll discuss in detail what's bringing you to care and identify your main challenges. We will work on identifying your goals and what you want to get out of therapy. Our work is highly collaborative, meaning we'll establish expectations for one another and regularly assess our strategies to ensure they are working for you.
My strength is providing a warm, non-judgmental space with compassion.
I typically work with adults of all ages (18-65) and different backgrounds. I work with those struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, and grief following a major loss or transition. I also have focused experience supporting the Asian American population on issues of identity, self-esteem, and Imposter Syndrome.
I believe therapy should give you skills you can use outside the office, and CBT is perfect for that. My experience involves guiding clients to create a 'mental toolbox' of easy-to-use techniques to feel less overwhelmed and more confident.
Mindfulness is a core part of my practice. I guide clients in integrating techniques adapted from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to foster resilience and a deeper sense of peace.
In my 7 years of practice, I've seen firsthand that grief is overwhelming. I offer both emotional support and practical guidance to help you manage the cognitive and physical toll of loss, such as rebuilding routines and managing overwhelm, so you can slowly start to find balance again.
I often use DBT in my work to help clients accept what they cannot change. DBT is great in building practical tools to help with emotion regulation, interpersonal challenges, distress tolerance, and promoting mindfulness.