Otto Berdiel
I'm a bilingual therapist (English/Spanish) with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents and adults. I believe that each person's story is unique, and that understanding ourselves often begins with having a space where we can speak freely and feel genuinely heard.
Sometimes, what we keep repeating in our lives is precisely what we haven't yet found the words to understand
My approach is thoughtful, compassionate, and grounded in curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we'll explore your experiences, relationships, and recurring patterns, paying attention to what matters to you, including things that may be difficult to put into words. Therapy isn't about telling you who to be, but creating space to discover new ways of understanding yourself and navigating life.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. There's no pressure to tell your entire story, share something you're not ready to discuss, or have a clear explanation of what you're experiencing. I'll invite you to speak about whatever feels important, whether that's a particular concern, something that happened recently, or a feeling you've been carrying for some time. I'll also ask questions to better understand your circumstances, history, and what you're hoping to find through therapy. We'll discuss your goals, address any questions about the process, and begin considering how we might work together. My hope is that you'll leave feeling comfortable, respected, and perhaps with a new question or perspective worth exploring. You don't need to leave with everything resolved. Sometimes, simply beginning to put something into words can be meaningful.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to listen deeply, with genuine curiosity and without rushing to conclusions. With over 20 years of clinical experience, I've learned that what makes therapy meaningful isn't simply having the right answers, but asking thoughtful questions and paying attention to what may be overlooked, including the things we sometimes struggle to express. My approach balances warmth and compassion with a willingness to gently challenge assumptions, explore contradictions, and invite new perspectives. I don't believe in imposing solutions or telling people how they should live. Instead, I work collaboratively to understand what makes each person's experience unique, including the patterns, relationships, and expectations that may be shaping their lives. My multicultural background, bilingual practice, and experience working with people from diverse circumstances have taught me to appreciate the many ways our personal histories, cultures, and relationships influence who we are. I offer a space where you can speak freely, feel genuinely heard, and explore difficult questions at your own pace, while also being challenged when those conversations can open the door to meaningful change.
Ideal clients
I work with adolescents and adults who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, emotional struggles, life transitions, or a sense of feeling stuck. Some come to therapy with a clear concern, while others simply feel that something in their lives isn't quite right, even if they can't explain why. My ideal client doesn't need to have everything figured out or even know what they want from therapy. They may be questioning their relationships, struggling with expectations from others, repeating patterns they don't fully understand, or trying to make sense of difficult experiences. I particularly enjoy working with people who are open to exploring their experiences beyond the surface, even when that process brings unexpected questions. Whether you're navigating cultural or family expectations, questions of identity, past experiences, or everyday challenges, what matters most is your willingness to begin a conversation. You don't need to arrive with the right words or answers. We can discover them along the way.
Origin story
I've always been drawn to understanding people, their stories, and the complexities of being human. My interest in philosophy, literature, and social change eventually led me to a realization: while we often focus on changing the world around us, some of the most meaningful transformations begin within ourselves. We all carry beliefs, expectations, and patterns that shape our lives, often without realizing it. Discovering that we can question these influences and find our own way of living is what inspired me to become a therapist. I've always been a curious and attentive listener, genuinely interested in what makes each person unique. When I began practicing, clients often shared that our sessions felt different from their previous experiences in therapy, particularly because they felt truly heard, sometimes in ways they hadn't experienced before. Those moments reaffirmed that I had found my calling. For me, therapy is both a deeply personal journey and a way of contributing to meaningful change. It offers a space where we can question what we've taken for granted, explore the expectations we've inherited, discover something unexpected about ourselves, and begin to live in ways that feel more genuinely our own.
Ongoing work together
As we continue meeting, our conversations will build on what emerges in each session. Rather than following a predetermined script, we'll pay attention to the experiences, thoughts, emotions, and questions that become important along the way. Sometimes we'll focus on present challenges; other times, we may discover connections to earlier experiences or patterns that have influenced your relationships and decisions. Therapy isn't always a straight line, and progress doesn't look the same for everyone. You might begin noticing situations differently, recognizing patterns that previously went unnoticed, feeling more comfortable expressing your needs, or responding to familiar challenges in new ways. We'll regularly reflect on what you're experiencing, what's changing, and whether our work continues to address what matters to you. When appropriate, we can also identify practical ways to navigate immediate difficulties. My goal isn't to define what a better life should look like for you, but to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and find greater freedom in the choices you make.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I use psychodynamic therapy to help you explore how your experiences, relationships, and personal history may influence the way you feel, think, and relate to others today. Sometimes we find ourselves repeating patterns, struggling with emotions, or making choices we don't fully understand. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we'll also explore what might be happening beneath the surface. I'll pay attention to your words, the connections that emerge in our conversations, and even the things that may be difficult to express. This isn't about searching for someone to blame or assuming that everything comes from your past. It's about discovering how your experiences have shaped you, questioning what may no longer serve you, and opening up new possibilities for how you understand yourself and approach life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients navigate intense emotions, manage difficult situations, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Rather than applying the same techniques to everyone, I explore how emotional responses make sense within each person's unique experiences and circumstances. When appropriate, we may work on recognizing emotional patterns, tolerating distress, communicating needs, and finding ways to respond differently to challenging situations. My approach balances acceptance and change, helping you develop practical skills while also exploring the deeper questions and experiences that may be contributing to your struggles.
Narrative
I use Narrative Therapy to help clients explore the stories they have developed about themselves and how those stories influence their relationships, choices, and sense of identity. Sometimes, the way we understand ourselves is shaped by family expectations, cultural influences, past experiences, or labels we've come to accept as truths. Through our conversations, we'll explore where these stories come from, whose voices and expectations they may reflect, and whether they truly represent who you are and what you want. Rather than defining you by a diagnosis, problem, or past experience, I invite you to question familiar narratives, recognize overlooked possibilities, and discover new ways of understanding yourself. My goal isn't to replace your story with one I believe is better, but to create space for you to find your own words, meanings, and possibilities for change.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I incorporate Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help adolescents and adults understand how difficult or overwhelming experiences may continue to affect their emotions, relationships, and everyday lives. Trauma can influence how we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to situations, sometimes in ways we don't immediately recognize. My approach emphasizes emotional safety, trust, and respect for each person's pace. Depending on your needs, we may explore connections between past experiences and present challenges, develop ways to manage distressing emotions, and examine beliefs about yourself or the world that may have emerged from difficult experiences. I believe healing isn't about forcing someone to revisit painful memories or following a predetermined timeline. It's about creating opportunities to make sense of what you've experienced, recognize how it may be affecting your life today, and gradually discover new possibilities for moving forward.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) when specific challenges call for a more focused and practical approach. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, overwhelming thoughts, or difficulties navigating certain situations, CBT can help us explore how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we may identify patterns of thinking that contribute to distress, question assumptions that feel difficult to challenge, and explore alternative ways of responding to everyday situations. When helpful, we can also develop practical strategies to address immediate concerns. I don't believe every difficulty requires the same approach, and I don't use structured techniques simply for the sake of following a method. Instead, I integrate CBT when it can be useful to your particular circumstances, while remaining attentive to your personal history, relationships, and the deeper questions that may emerge throughout our work.
Location
Virtual sessions