Ana Hernandez
Hi. My name is Ana Hernandez. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with three years of experience helping clients navigate life's most difficult moments. I help people who feel stuck in cycles of anxiety and depression find their way back to steadiness. Whether you're dealing with racing thoughts that won't quiet down, a low mood that has settled in and won't lift, or the exhaustion of trying to hold it all together, you don't have to figure it out alone. My approach is rooted in Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy to meet each person where they are. I believe that everyone carries a story about who they are, and they are capable of -sometimes that story gets stuck; it gets weighed down by pain, anxiety, trauma, marital conflicts, and life transitions. Together, we'll gently unpack the story, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and rebuild the relationships and inner narrative that help you thrive. Whether you are an adult navigating stress, anxiety, or life transitions, or a couple navigating lack of connection and trust, or a family struggling, my approach is collaborative, warm, and tailored to you: Narrative Therapy- helping you separate yourself from your problems to rewrite your story with agency and hope. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- practical tools to identify and reshape thought patterns that hold you back. Interpersonal Therapy- strengthening relationships and communication that support your well-being. My goal is simple: to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and equipped with real tools for lasting change.
First session
Our first session is about connection. I'll meet you where you are, listening with empathy and genuine curiosity. Whatever pain or experiences you bring into the room will be met with sensitivity and care- because that foundation of trust is where real healing begins. Therapy with me isn't about being told what's wrong- it's about understanding the patterns keeping you or your relationship stuck, and building tools you can actually use. Nuestra primera sesión se centra en la conexión. Me adaptaré a tu situación actual, escuchando con empatía y una curiosidad genuina. Cualquier experiencia que traigas a la sesión será recibido con sensibilidad y cuidado, ya que esa base de confianza es donde comienza la verdadera sanación. La terapia conmigo no consiste en que te digan qué es lo que está mal, sino en comprender los patrones que te mantienen estancado —a ti o a tu relación— y en desarrollar herramientas que realmente puedas utilizar.
Strengths
I bring both clinical expertise and deep personal understanding of what means to carry pain that feels invisible to others. This shapes how I hold space for my clients-with patience, cultural humility, and genuine curiosity, I won't rush you. I'll sit quietly until your heart is ready to share. Together, we'll build therapeutic goals that reflect what matters most to you, and I'll walk alongside you in celebrating every milestone-big or small.
Ideal clients
My ideal client would be someone who is a young adult or an adult who may be struggling with life transitions, anxiety, or depression. Someone who is open to exploration and trusts the therapeutic relationship. Someone willing to explore past experiences, sit in uncomfortable spaces, and commit to homework. I also really enjoy working with couples and families. I help people who feel stuck in cycles of anxiety and depression find their way back to steadiness. Whether you're dealing with racing thoughts that won't quiet down, a low mood that's settled in and won't lift, or the exhaustion of trying to hold it all together, you don't have to figure it out alone. I also work with couples. I help partners break out of the same fights on repeat, rebuild trust after it's been shaken, and rediscover how to talk to each other again. Mi cliente ideal es cualquier individuo ques esta atravesando dificultades relacionadas con transiciones vitales, ansiedad o depresión; alguien abierto a la exploración . Busco personas dispuestas a explorar experiencias pasadas, a tolerar situaciones incómodas y a comprometerse con las tareas asignadas para casa. También disfruto trabajar con parejas y familias. Ayudo a quienes se sienten atrapados en ciclos de ansiedad y depresión a recuperar la estabilidad. Ya sea que lidies con pensamientos acelerados que no cesan, un estado de ánimo bajo y persistente, o el agotamiento de intentar mantener todo bajo control, no tienes por qué afrontarlo a solas. Ayudo a los miembros de la pareja a romper la dinámica de discusiones repetitivas, a reconstruir la confianza y a redescubrir cómo comunicarse entre sí.
Origin story
My path to becoming a therapist began with my own experience of sexual abuse- and the silence that so often surrounds it, especially within families and cultures like mine. That silence taught me how vital it is to be truly seen, heard, and understood. From an early age, I found myself drawn to sitting with others in their pain- offering a steady presence, empathy, and a listening ear to those going through a hard time. I became the person my friends and family turned to when they needed to talk. Over time, I realized this wasn't just something I was good at- it was my calling. This instinct became a passion- one I've carried into my work as a therapist. Today, my purpose is to create a safe space for those who have felt unheard, and to sit alongside them as they find their voice and begin to heal."
Ongoing work together
You will know things are shifting when the anxious thoughts start losing their grip instead of running the show, when getting out of bed feels less like a battle, or when you catch yourself handling a hard moment differently than you would have before. For couples, progress often looks like arguments that resolve instead of repeat, more curiosity and less defensiveness with each other, and small moments of connection returning. I check in regularly on how therapy is landing for you, so progress isn't just something you feel- it's something we track together. Sabrás que las cosas están cambiando cuando los pensamientos ansiosos empiecen a perder fuerza en lugar de llevar el control, cuando levantarte de la cama no se sienta tanto como una batalla, o cuando te sorprendas afrontando un momento difícil de una manera distinta a como lo habrías hecho antes. En el caso de las parejas, el progreso suele manifestarse en discusiones que se resuelven en lugar de repetirse, en una mayor curiosidad y menos actitud defensiva mutua, y en el retorno de pequeños momentos de conexión. Evalúo periódicamente cómo te está resultando la terapia; así, el progreso no es solo algo que sientes, sino algo que seguimos juntos.
Treatment methods
Narrative
I use narrative therapy with a focus on exploring the stories clients have from their past that have molded how they now behave. Once those stories have been defined, themes and solutions are explored. The goal is to be able to rewrite stories with a more empowered self.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to be able to explore the thought patterns that keep you stuck or that keep coming up through different situations. The purpose of identifying them is to develop different thought patterns that are more helpful which influence how you feel, how you think and how you will behave.
Interpersonal
I use interpersonal therapy to join you in exploring relationships and how they have formed and how you communicate within those relationships. Collaboratively we will work on ways to communicate needs, address conflict and also grief relationships.
Christian Counseling
I use Christian counseling to build on the foundational strengths you have through your belief system. We will collaboratively work on identifying struggles, developing skills, and problem solving while bridging spirituality and therapy.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 164826