Grow Therapy Home
Debbie Llera, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy

Debbie Llera

Debbie Llera

(she/her)

LMFT
10 years of experience
Virtual

Hello and Welcome to a positive journey for a successful therapeutic experience! I am a licensed MFT in California. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in healthcare since 1985, and I love my career with passion. I hold a BS in Psychology and an MS in Counseling, Marriage, Child, and Family Therapy. I have been practicing as a therapist for over 10 years. Further, I am a Certified Complex Trauma Professional (CCTP), which includes working extensively with clients who have experienced complex trauma. Along with working with individuals who have experienced traumatic stress, I am honored and privileged to provide psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to clients experiencing treatment resistant-depression. My emphasis includes working with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as the LGBTQIA2S+ population. Within the mental health field, I have worked with severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents in residential treatment, group therapy practices, and presently I own and operate my current private practice. I practice traditional approaches as well as integrative, naturalistic, mindfulness and meditation, and holistic care. I am trained, certified, and passionate providing Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for clients struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. My focus in mental and behavioral health encompasses and emphasizes meeting and connecting with my clients where they are and building a strong, safe, and trusting relationship. I sincerely believe in approaching my clients and their challenges in life with an open mind and gentle heart. I will always persevere to assist my clients with a healthy, natural, and realistic approach as it relates to their intentions and motivation for a successful life.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

During the initial session with my clients, I provide a safe place for them to share the areas of their lives they believe interfere with their ability to enjoy a healthy life. I take them on a gentle journey of self-disclosure. If this journey of self-disclosure takes more time and more sessions... So Be It! I follow their lead and begin with allowing them to find their way in the therapeutic alliance. I assess, evaluate, and approach my clients with unconditional regard and respect. I wish for my clients to always understand that I am available and present for them wherever they land in the journey of their lives.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I love meeting all individuals from all walks of life. I believe the most important aspect of my approach with my clients involves providing a safe space for them and meeting them where they are in their journey of life. I take my time with them, follow their lead when needed, and encourage them to begin the journey of therapy from a positive and safe place.

About Debbie Llera

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Appointments

Free consults, virtual

My treatment methods

Trauma Informed Care

I am most passionate about and have spent a tremendous length of time in my career working from a trauma-informed approach with clients. I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, and all members of family systems experiencing the ongoing and pervasive effects of trauma. Trauma occurs as a physical, emotional, and perceived threat, which occurs during any stage in an individual's life. Through a Trauma-Informed approach, I ask the question, "What happened and when?" This approach provides the client with a clearer understanding of the impact of traumatic stress on many areas of his/her or their lives. When clients do not understand the source of emotional and behavioral dysregulation, lacking the potential to trust, intrusive and irrational thoughts, I assist them with regaining a sense of balance, control, and empowerment through traditional and natural approaches. These approaches include effective coping skills, connection exercises, sensory integration, problem-solving, anger management, and healthy and positive hope and attitudes for a healthy life. I meet clients where they are, with empathy, compassion, and unconditional positive regard.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

During entire career (since 1985), I strive assisting clients with faulty thoughts, emotions, and behaviors find resolution through systematic, step-by-step problem-solving. Clients find balance and successfully improve maladaptive and dysfunctional thinking, interpersonal relationships, and inaccurate perceptions of self and worldviews.

Family Therapy

I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, parents, stepparents, and family systems experiencing issues in effective communication, academic struggles, peer interactions, as well as emotional and behavioral dysregulation. I assist family systems with coping skills, problem-solving, anger management, all the while meeting the family where they are, with empathy, compassion, and unconditional positive regard for all members of the family system.

Gender-affirming therapy

I possess a strong passion and vast experience working with the beauty and complexities with LGBTIQA+ individuals and families. Through a trauma-informed approach, my goal is to gently assist clients with accessing any traumatic experiences affecting identity issues and development into the client's authentic self.

Grief Therapy

Grief occurs in every individual's life. Over a long career in healthcare, I possess a beautiful and strong passion working with and connecting with individuals and bearing witness to the dynamics of their lives. When clients are faced with grief and loss, I am honored and humbled supporting and assisting clients during one of the most poignant chapters of their lives. As a result, grief therapy is an aspect of my practice I cherish and embrace passionately with clients.