LCSW, 20 years of experience
Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my master's degree in 1999 from the California State University of Long Beach (CSULB), and have been practicing for 20+ years. I specialize in helping adults navigate depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, loss and grief, and life transitions using a combination of warmth, compassion, and evidence-based therapies.
In our first session together will develop and establish rapport which is a foundation for our work together. We will cover administrative details, discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, and identify your goals for therapy. This will help create a more personal and tailored treatment plan to meet your therapy needs. This will also be your opportunity to ask questions and determine if my approach is a 'good fit' for you.
The most critical aspect of therapy is to build a strong therapeutic relationship with all of my clients. I try to achieve this goal by building a safe and nurturing environment that fosters trust, honesty, openness, acceptance, and respect for all forms of human identity and diversity.
I want to take this time to acknowledge your courage and strength today by making the decision to take the first step towards bettering your mental health, because - let's be honest starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, and scary, all at the same time. In therapy I strive to create a safe, caring, and welcoming environment that allows my client's to explore and examine their life struggles as it relates to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions. I focus on helping clients on how to regulate their emotions, develop coping skills, find solutions to their problems, and build more stronger and meaningful relationships in their lives. Therapy can foster personal growth and development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you so deeply deserve. I am here to help and support you, whenever you're ready to take on this journey of new discovery, exploration, insight seeking, and growth. Come inside and don't be afraid!
I’ve been using Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) in my practice for the past fifteen years. It’s helped numerous clients become more aware of themselves and their environment through mindful practices - by sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment, and acceptance. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.
I’ve been using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my practice for the past fifteen years. It’s helped numerous clients challenge reoccurring thoughts and manage their depression/anxiety. We’ll use CBT to recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. We’ll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns, which will help you lead a less depressive, anxious and/or stressed life.
I’ve been using CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) in my practice for the past ten years. It’s helped numerous clients change their negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves, others, and the world after experiencing a traumatic event(s) in their lives. By changing your thoughts, you can change how you feel around issues of safety, trust, power and control, esteem, and intimacy. Often, people with trauma (ASD/PTSD) have problems in one or more of these areas.
I’ve been using Grief Therapy in my practice for the past twenty years. It’s helped numerous clients process and navigate through difficult emotions, learn new coping skills, and find a way to move forward with meaning and strength after loss all in safe and nurturing space.
8 ratings with written reviews
August 14, 2025
I enjoyed my session and felt a good calming energy from Norberto, and I felt like he listened to my concerns.
June 5, 2025
He seemed warm and genuine to me and straight forward and to the point without being pushy however when he was giving me direction that I did not understand at first he seemed to be irritated and distant .
June 4, 2025
Seems focused on finding helpful solutions.