Cristal Garcialobato
Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! I look forward to supporting you in your journey towards seeking self-acceptance and self-growth. My focus areas are treating anxiety, depression, childhood traumas, grief and substance use disorders. I provide a client-centered approach, offering a supportive setting in which you can feel seen and heard. I believe a key element in a therapeutic setting is feeling comfortable, safe and understood, in order to feel at ease and trust the therapeutic process. My goal is to meet each client where they are in their individual journey, while developing a strong therapeutic alliance build on trust, empathy, and collaboration. I believe that a meaningful therapeutic relationship creates the space for self-exploration, personal growth, and emotional change.
I believe that growth requires willingness to sit with discomfort, challenge familiar patterns, and explore aspects of ourselves that may be difficult to acknowledge.
First session
Our first session will create the space for both of us to connect with one another, in a safe and calm approach. We will touch on what brings you to seeking therapy, your upbringing, your strengths, your interests, areas of need, and anything you feel comfortable sharing that will help strengthen our therapeutic relationship and treatment. There is no right or wrong way to show up, simply show up as you and that is more than enough!
Strengths
I strive to provide a calm, patient, encouraging, and authentic therapeutic environment where my clients can feel safe to show up as they are. My approach is grounded in empathy, active listening, honesty, and a nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship where all emotions are welcomed! Through a genuine therapeutic connection, collaboration, and compassionate understanding, I encourage clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with curiosity rather than criticism. I believe that growth requires willingness to sit with discomfort, challenge familiar patterns, and explore aspects of ourselves that may be difficult to acknowledge. This is where the learning is rooted in knowing we can challenge ourselves and one another with kindness, marking the beginning to meaningful growth and healing.
Ideal clients
Do you find yourself in what feels like a cycle of self-doubt, anxious emotions, ongoing maladaptive behaviors, “imposter syndrome”, all of which appear to be a result of negative childhood experiences or unresolved trauma? I have worked with young adults and middle-aged adults, whose unresolved trauma have led to impairing emotional and behavioral symptoms; anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. I strive in supporting others improve their self-view, develop self-confidence, while learning adequate coping skills and processing traumas. Together, we will work on creating a treatment focus that feels right and safe for your needs.
Origin story
My journey to becoming a therapist was driven by pivotal events that gave me a deeper understanding of human complexity and our immense capabilities through resiliency, kindness, and a positive mindset. I strive to create a therapeutic space grounded in safety, compassion, understanding, and nonjudgment. As a human, I recognize how challenging it can be to navigate life when fundamental needs have gone unmet, and as a therapist, I am driven to support through this healing. Whether it led to emotional wounds, unmet needs, maladaptive behaviors, or feelings of emptiness, my hope is to empower my clients throughout this healing journey.
Ongoing work together
You are the expert and guide of your treatment process! Together we will develop concise treatment goals that best fit your needs. Treatment goals can change throughout the course of treatment, as new needs are presented. Meaningful life change takes time, and are accompany by highs and lows, similar to therapy. I will be there to support along the way and help you recognize all the small wins that led to reaching your goals.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Through the focus of a humanistic approach, I believe meaningful healing occurs when individuals develop a deeper understanding of their emotional experiences, become curious and learn how relationships shape their sense of self, and begin learning and adapting healthier ways of relating to themselves, others and their world.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Through Emotionally Focused Therapy, I support clients in becoming emotionally curious! Through understanding, acknowledging, processing, and regulating emotions, along with identifying the attachment needs and relational experiences underneath the emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Through CBT focus interventions, clients will learn to recognize how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, all interact and affect the clients overall functioning. Together we will explore how changing cognitive and emotional patterns can improve overall functioning.
Location
Virtual sessions