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Tony Aceves, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy

Tony Aceves

Tony Aceves

(he/him)

LMFT
3 years of experience
Intelligent
Warm
Virtual

Hi! I'm Antonio Martin Aceves Santiago... But I go by Tony. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from California who currently resides in Santa Barbara. I got my BA at UCSB and my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch Universtiy-Santa Barbara. I have been practicing since 2021, I've researched therapeutic work through video game therapy in college (yes I even gave my class a 101 on my approach working with kiddos and adults through this method), I've worked in Community Mental Health, Group Practice and was the clinical coordinator for a crisis residential unit. I've provided Individual therapy to children, teens, adults, couples therapy and family therapy. However I specialize working with children,teens and adults. If you are interested in other services we can explore more options with a free consultation to see if we are a good fit for your needs.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session we will start off with introductions. I will begin by introducing myself, some hobbies, my clinical work and prior work experience. That way you genuinely get to know me, I believe that if you are able to connect with your therapist, the therapeutic work you both do grows that much more significantly. Then you could bring up what brought you in to therapy, some goals that you have in mind of course answer any questions you may have. The remaining time we have we will focus on conducting a clinical assessment and treatment plan in order to start therapy with a solid foundation.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Having worked in acute mental health settings ranging from administration as the clinical director for a crisis residential facility to working in community mental health, I've been exposed to a wide range of crisis and mental health issues. My structured approach to therapy allows me to work with my clients to reduce their immediate stress and work with them long term in order to address trauma that they have been carrying on their own for a long time. Having this trauma centered approach has provided my clients with results that are tangible and has fostered a therapeutic relationship where they feel comfortable bringing everything up knowing that were going to work through it together.

About Tony Aceves

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Psychodynamic

Through this modality I explore how unconscious thoughts and past experiences influence current behavior, emotions, and relationships. If certain activities or individuals have a more significant impact on us compared to others, psychodynamic therapy is often a beneficial modality as it brings insight as to the cause of the distress.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

DBT is a therapeutic modality that I use periodically when a crisis emerges. In times of crisis, where distress is high DBT has a structured approach in order to address the distress and engage in mindfulness and emotional regulation. Prior to doing a DBT intervention patients would tell me they are around a "8-10" level of distress, after conducting DBT interventions clients report feeling at a "2-4". These results is why I've become a huge fan of this modality.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Where as many other therapeutic modalities focus on addressing the "problem" IFS takes on a different approach. It explores and works with the various "parts" or aspects within our own internal system. It acknowledges that no emotion is "bad" and explores how rather, all emotions are there to protect us. Which is why I practice providing this therapeutic modality. It is a non-judgmental approach to therapy that provides, increased self-compassion and empowerment.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized therapeutic modality designed to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories. This approach involves guided bilateral stimulation, typically through eye movements, to help individuals process and reframe traumatic experiences, allowing for the integration of more adaptive and positive associations. EMDR has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and various anxiety disorders.