Licensed to practice in California and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Life Transitions, Self Esteem, Anxiety
(she/her)
New to Grow
I'm Dr. Lisette, a licensed psychologist and the owner of Calathea Wellness. I work with first-gen adults and high-achieving professionals who look successful on paper but feel stretched thin, anxious, or like they're carrying everyone else's expectations. My style is warm and real. I'll be honest with you, I'll never talk down to you, and I bring my whole self to the work so you can bring yours.
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. I’ll invite you to share what has been bringing you to therapy, what you have been experiencing, and what you hope will be different as a result of our work together. You do not need to arrive with everything figured out or know exactly where to begin. I’ll ask questions about your current concerns, relationships, cultural and family background, important life experiences, and the strengths that have helped you get to where you are today. We will also discuss your goals for therapy and begin identifying the patterns, pressures, or beliefs that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling understood, supported, and clearer about how we can move forward together.
I bring warmth, curiosity, cultural humility, and a balance of compassion and honest feedback to my sessions. I will create space for you to feel heard, but I will not simply sit quietly while you struggle with the same patterns. When appropriate, I will gently challenge you, help you notice what may be happening beneath the surface, and support you in trying something different. As the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador, I understand how culture, family loyalty, sacrifice, and expectations can shape the way we view success, rest, relationships, and our own worth. I understand the experience of navigating multiple worlds and feeling grateful for your opportunities while also feeling exhausted, guilty, or unsure of where you belong. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, collaborative, and practical. I will help you connect your current struggles to the experiences that shaped them while also giving you concrete tools you can use outside of therapy.
My ideal client is a first-generation professional or adult from a culturally diverse background who appears successful on the outside but feels anxious, exhausted, or never quite good enough. They may be navigating perfectionism, impostor feelings, burnout, family expectations, cultural identity, relationship stress, or guilt about prioritizing themselves. They are often the dependable one in their family and are used to pushing through difficult emotions rather than asking for support. They may feel caught between honoring where they come from and creating a life that reflects who they are becoming. My ideal client is curious about themselves and ready to better understand the patterns that have helped them survive but may no longer be serving them. They want practical tools, honest reflection, and a supportive space to build healthier boundaries, greater confidence, and a more sustainable definition of success.
I use CBT to help you notice how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we identify patterns that may be increasing anxiety, self-doubt, or stress and practice more balanced ways of thinking and responding.
I use solution-focused therapy to help you clarify what you want to change and identify practical steps toward that goal. We build on your existing strengths, past successes, and the strategies that are already working in your life.
I use narrative therapy to help you separate yourself from the problems you are facing. We explore the stories you have learned about who you should be and create space for a more empowering story that reflects your values, strengths, and preferred identity.
I consider how your culture, family, identity, community, and lived experiences shape the way you understand yourself and the challenges you face. You will not be expected to leave important parts of yourself outside the therapy room or explain why they matter.