LMHC, 12 years of experience
Welcome — I'm Sergio Navigating life’s challenges takes courage, and seeking support is a powerful first step. I’m Sergio, a bilingual counselor (English/Español) with a deep commitment to helping individuals, couples, and families find clarity, healing, and direction. Before opening my private practice, I spent years as a healthcare executive—leading teams, shaping systems, and supporting people through complex transitions. That experience gave me a broad perspective and a deep understanding of how emotional, relational, and systemic factors impact our well-being. I bring that expertise into every session, combining strategic insight with heartfelt compassion. My strength lies in guiding others. Whether you're facing anxiety, grief, relationship struggles, or simply feeling stuck, I offer a steady hand and a safe space to explore what’s next. Together, we’ll uncover your strengths, work through barriers, and build a path toward meaningful change. You deserve support that’s both wise and warm. Let’s begin your journey, I'll hold the lantern, so you can find the path ahead — creando calma en la tormenta y claridad en medio del caos.
Welcome! The first step is an act of courage, and I’m honored to walk alongside you in this process. Here’s what you can expect during our first session together: A Safe and Supportive Space: This is your time. My role is to create a space that feels safe, nonjudgmental, and grounded in respect. Whether you're feeling nervous, uncertain, or hopeful, all emotions are welcome here. Getting to Know You: We’ll begin by exploring what brings you to counseling. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. I may ask questions about your background, current challenges, and goals—but there’s no pressure to have everything figured out. Reviewing Logistics: We’ll go over confidentiality, informed consent, and how sessions work. I’ll explain your rights as a client, how I protect your privacy, and what you can expect from me as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Setting Intentions: Together, we’ll begin identifying what you’d like to work on. Whether it’s anxiety, grief, relationship issues, life transitions, or something else, we’ll start shaping a path forward that feels meaningful and manageable. No Diagnoses on Day One: Unless you’re seeking a formal assessment, our first session is not about labeling or diagnosing. It’s about understanding. We’ll take time to build a foundation before diving deeper. You Set the Pace: There’s no “right” way to begin therapy. You’re in control of how much you share and how quickly we move. My job is to meet you where you are and support you in getting where you want to go. I look forward to meeting you!
You matter to me, and my first commitment is to help you find the path that YOU want to follow. Opening your mind and heart is already hard; with me, you don't have to "come prepared" or be concerned about what today. Empathy, strategy, and love are the foundations of my work as a psychotherapist. l meet people exactly where they are, without judgment, without rushing, and without trying to "fix" them, instead we find the strength needed to move forward in the direction you want to go. I believe healing begins with being seen and heard, and that’s the space I create. What Stands Out About My Approach: - Relational Depth: I don’t just listen—I attune. I notice the unsaid, the subtle shifts, the emotional undercurrents. Clients often tell me they feel understood in ways they haven’t before. - Integrated Tools: I draw from evidence-based modalities like CBT, SFBT, Trauma Informed Care, and mindfulness, but I tailor them to each person’s unique story. Therapy with me isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s a co-created process. - Grounded Warmth: I bring a calm, grounded energy to sessions. I’m not afraid to sit with discomfort, and I help clients build the capacity to do the same. - Cultural Humility: I honor the diverse identities and experiences my clients bring. I’m always learning, always listening, and always open to feedback. As an immigrant that comes from a family with long history of migration, I understand the human cost of migration, the heartaches, the dreams, and the never-ending adjustments we all have to do in a land that adopted us as its own children. What People say about me as a Mental Health Counselor: - Sergio is someone who is "safe", "skilled", and "genuine". - "Sergio can hold both pain and optimistic possibility." - "[Sergio] kindness and warmth reminds me of the TV character Mr. Rogers." - Sergio helps me feel empowered, grateful, and more connected." I strive to be that person. Therapy with me is not just about symptom relief—it’s about finding peace, transformation, insight, and reclaiming your voice.
If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone — I’m Here to Help Life doesn’t always come with a map or a set of instructions. Sometimes we hit a rough patch, feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure who to turn to. These days many of us are facing a silent burnout that is debilitating us. Anxiety, depression, irritability, cynicism, and little or no joy in the things we used to love to do. If that’s where you are right now, I want you to know: you’ve found someone who gets it. I’m Sergio—a bilingual licensed clinical professional counselor with over a decade of experience in counseling, including pastoral care, career and transition counseling, and leadership in behavioral health facilities and healthcare systems. I’ve walked with people through grief, burnout, identity shifts, and life’s toughest crossroads. I’ve led teams, built programs, and helped communities heal. But most importantly, I’ve learned how to listen to what is said and what it's not said verbally. We will laugh when it’s needed, and hold the lantern so you can see the path you would want to follow. Whether you need to talk, be heard, or rediscover your strength, I offer a space that’s safe, grounded, and real. We’ll work together to make sense of what’s happening, explore what’s possible, and move toward a life that feels more like yours. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Let’s talk—en inglés o en español.
This modality offers a short-term psychotherapy that concentrates on finding solutions and building on strengths, rather than dwelling on past problems. It is a goal-oriented and collaborative approach that helps clients build a vision for the future and identify the resources and skills they have to achieve it. The focus is on the present and future, not the history of the problem.
This is an excellent type of psychotherapy that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve how they feel and function. It focuses on the connection between a person's thoughts, feelings, and actions, and is a collaborative process that teaches practical skills to manage current problems and stress. We work together to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier habits and coping strategies.
Some patients benefit from a trauma-informed care approach which helps us to understand and recognize the widespread impact of trauma to build paths for recovery and healing. This modality also emphases the importance of physical and emotional safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment. When using this modality, we ask "what hurts?", "what happened to you?" shifting the focus from symptoms to a client's life experiences, with the goal of avoiding re-traumatization and promoting healing.