LMFT, 5 years of experience
Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Masters from Pepperdine University and have been practicing for 5 years. I have experience working with a variety of ages from infancy to middle-aged adulthood for a range of concerns, from life changes and adjustments, PTSD, anxiety, depression, managing stress, relationships, and parenting. I currently work with teens with high risk behaviors full-time, and enjoy taking on additional private practice clients.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
I work to understand your story, meet you where you are at and provide support in your journey. I am a great listener and recognize that change takes time and allowing clients to progress at their own pace, accepting clients as they are without imposing my personal values.
I love working with anyone who wants to improve their communication, coping, and emotional regulation. I work with a range of people, from those who are considering change to those who are prepared to make changes.
ACT is effective in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, and other mental health concerns. This uses techniques like mindfulness exercises, metaphors, and experiential activities to help clients engage with ACT principles.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented, evidence-based psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It helps individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress and mental health challenges. CBT is used to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, substance use disorders, and more. It is based on the idea that changing negative thinking leads to healthier emotions and behaviors.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically designed to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related symptoms. CPT helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to their trauma, allowing them to process their experiences in a healthier way.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to help individuals who experience intense emotions and struggle with self-destructive behaviors, impulsivity, or relationship difficulties. It was originally developed for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) but is now used for a variety of mental health conditions, including PTSD, eating disorders, substance use, and suicidal ideation.
2 ratings with written reviews
May 5, 2025
Vanessa is an amazing therapist. I connected with her during our first appointment. She is knowledgeable, empathetic and an attentive listener. She helped me learn coping skills in just a few sessions. I highly recommend her.
March 13, 2025
My first session was very helpful. Vanessa allowed me to tell her my story and listened with compassion and empathy. She made me feel comfortable right away and I truly felt that she cared about my trauma and has the tools to teach me how to cope.