Jarlene Cabrera, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Jarlene Cabrera

Jarlene Cabrera

(she/her)

LCSW
16 years of experience
Virtual

Hi, I’m Jarlene Cabrera, a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Empowered Path Therapy. With over 16 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals through some of their most difficult—and most transformative—moments. I believe therapy should feel like a safe, judgment-free space where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, or just feeling overwhelmed, my goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow at your own pace. I use a blend of evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and attachment-focused therapy—but more importantly, I meet you where you are. I believe in balancing grace with accountability and creating a space where you can unpack what’s heavy and build tools to move forward with clarity and confidence. I’m also bilingual (Spanish/English) and committed to providing culturally sensitive care. If you’re ready to take the first step, I’m here to walk with you—gently, intentionally, and with compassion.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session at Empowered Path Therapy is a warm, welcoming space where your story matters and your healing begins. As a licensed clinical social worker with over 16 years of experience, I create a safe, judgment-free environment where we move at your pace. In this initial session, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy, identify the challenges you’re facing, and begin uncovering your strengths. You can expect to feel heard, respected, and supported as we lay the foundation for a therapeutic relationship built on trust, compassion, and collaboration. This is not just a conversation—it’s the first step toward clarity, empowerment, and lasting change.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring a blend of clinical expertise and authentic human connection to every session. My greatest strengths lie in my intuitive ability to meet clients exactly where they are, my deep listening skills, and my gift for helping others feel emotionally safe enough to explore even the most painful parts of their story. I tailor my methods to each individual’s needs, ensuring that therapy is both structured and flexible, challenging yet compassionate. Clients often share that our work together leads to lasting transformation—gaining clarity, developing healthier relationships, breaking long-held patterns, and discovering emotional freedom. Whether someone is navigating trauma, anxiety, burnout, or simply seeking more from life, my approach is rooted in grace, accountability, and the belief that healing is always possible.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to explore their inner world and take courageous steps toward healing, even if they’re not sure where to begin. They may be navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions—and they’re seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their patterns. Many of my clients are high-functioning professionals, parents, or caregivers who are used to holding everything together for others but are now ready to prioritize their own emotional well-being. They value authenticity, are open to reflection, and are willing to engage in a collaborative process that fosters growth, insight, and meaningful change.

About Jarlene Cabrera

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a foundational approach to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that impact their emotions and behaviors. Through a collaborative and compassionate process, I guide individuals in developing practical skills to challenge cognitive distortions, build emotional resilience, and create healthier coping strategies. My use of CBT is informed by years of clinical insight and a deep commitment to empowering clients to recognize their strengths, break cycles of negative thinking, and move toward lasting personal growth and emotional wellness.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal relationships, and increasing emotional regulation. Rooted in mindfulness and acceptance, DBT helps clients find balance between change and acceptance, especially when navigating patterns of emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or relationship conflict. I use DBT’s structured approach—focusing on core skills like distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness—to create a safe, validating space where clients can build greater self-awareness, stability, and confidence in their daily lives.

EMDR

I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based approach that enables individuals to process unresolved memories that continue to impact their present thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through structured phases and bilateral stimulation, I guide clients in safely accessing and reprocessing traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and creating space for adaptive, healthier beliefs. My goal is to help clients move from survival to healing—restoring a sense of safety, empowerment, and emotional freedom.

Attachment-based

I incorporate Attachment-Based Therapy to support clients in exploring how early relational experiences shape their sense of self, emotional security, and patterns in current relationships. This approach emphasizes the importance of building trust, safety, and emotional attunement within the therapeutic relationship. By gently addressing wounds from past attachment disruptions—such as neglect, abandonment, or inconsistent caregiving—I help clients develop healthier relational dynamics, strengthen self-worth, and form more secure, connected relationships in their lives.

Psychoanalytic

I integrate psychoanalytic principles to help clients gain deep insight into how unconscious patterns, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts influence their current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This approach allows clients to explore the root causes of distress and recurring life themes, fostering greater self-awareness and long-term emotional growth. By creating a reflective and supportive space, I guide clients in uncovering and understanding hidden aspects of themselves, leading to meaningful change, improved relationships, and a stronger sense of inner peace. I also utilize a psychodynamic approach to help clients explore how past experiences, unconscious beliefs, and relational patterns shape their present emotional life. Rooted in the therapeutic relationship, this approach encourages deep self-reflection and insight into long-standing internal conflicts. By identifying recurring themes and unresolved issues from early relationships, I support clients in understanding the “why” behind their behaviors and emotions, empowering them to break unhelpful cycles and create lasting, meaningful change in their lives.