(she/they)
Welcome! I'm Cherry Aslarona (she/they), a passionate licensed psychotherapist with 12 years of experience in California. I understand how challenging it can be to take the first steps toward therapy, and I truly appreciate your courage in recognizing your needs and reaching out for support. My compassionate, holistic, and clinical approach blends acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, compassion-focused therapy (CFT), existential therapy, somatic psychotherapy and/or body-centered psychotherapy through the Hakomi Method, and the mind-body connection. I'm also trained in and provide eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
I truly believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship, and I'm dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for you to explore your emotions and thoughts.
I recognize the courage it takes for clients to seek therapy and I approach each individual with empathy, encouraging clients to feel respected, valued, heard. I also acknowledge the connection between mind and body and support clients to process emotions and thoughts through an integrative approach.
In my practice, I work with adults (ages 18+) and focus on the following areas: -anxiety -depression -grief & loss -cultural issues -chronic illness -life transitions (ex: career change, retirement, divorce, and more) -sports performance -trauma
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients embrace difficult thoughts and emotions rather than avoiding them. By focusing on mindfulness, acceptance, and aligning actions with personal values, ACT promotes psychological flexibility. This approach empowers individuals to live more meaningfully, even in the face of challenges, fostering growth and well-being.
Compassion Focused
We will cultivate self-compassion and understanding to reduce shame, self-criticism, and emotional struggles. By balancing emotional systems, we will focus on fostering resilience, emotional healing, and inner peace. We will encourage the practice to treat self with kindness while navigating life's challenges, promoting lasting well-being and psychological growth.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps individuals process distressing memories. By using guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, EMDR reduces the emotional impact of past experiences, promoting healing, emotional regulation, and a sense of resolution, leading to improved mental well-being.
Mind-body approach
The mind-body approach emphasizes the connection between mental and physical health. By integrating mindfulness, body awareness, and emotional processing, it helps individuals manage stress, trauma, and emotional challenges. This holistic method promotes overall well-being, fostering balance and resilience through increased harmony between the mind and body.
Somatic
Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection to heal trauma and emotional distress. By integrating physical sensations, body awareness, and movement, it helps release stored tension and trauma from the body. This approach promotes emotional healing, resilience, and a deeper sense of safety and well-being.