Hello, my name is Naidera Gray and I'm an Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. I've been providing therapeutic services for the past nine years specializing in helping young adults and working mothers navigate daily stressors, offering support and tools to foster resilience, manage anxiety, and build confidence in their unique paths forward.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the initial session, I aim to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where you feel comfortable discussing your challenges. We will begin with an introduction where I briefly share my therapeutic background and explain our strengths-based, client-centered approach. I reassure that our sessions are a safe space for exploring personal challenges, reinforcing that you're not alone. The first part of the session focuses on a needs assessment, where I ask about your mental health status and specific stressors, such as postpartum challenges, family demands, or feelings of anxiety. I also inquire about areas where you may need support, like access to childcare or financial assistance, since practical concerns often amplify emotional stress. This needs assessment helps identify your unique circumstances, so we can collaboratively shape a plan that addresses your personal and logistical needs holistically.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having firsthand experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, and the emotional impact of my husband’s cancer diagnosis, I understand the unique struggles mothers face. This empathy allowed me to connect deeply with others going through similar hardships. This journey has also taught me the importance of prioritizing self-care, even when family responsibilities feel all-consuming. This realization can inspire and encourage other mothers or acting mothers to care for themselves, and knowing it strengthens their ability to care for their families.
About Naidera Gray
Naidera Gray offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My experience in using CBT has allowed me to assist individuals in identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. I use this approach as it helps client's to restructure negative thinking patterns and promoting positive behavioral changes. CBT will help empower you to manage your emotions more effectively, build resilience, and gain tools to handle future challenges.
Strength-Based
A strength-based approach in therapy focuses on identifying and leveraging your existing strengths, resources, and resilience to help you overcome challenges. Instead of centering solely on problems or weaknesses, I will use this approach to help empower my clients by building confidence and encouraging positive self-concept. By recognizing and developing your inherent abilities, my clients could gain a greater sense of agency and may become better equipped to navigate difficult situations, making this approach particularly effective for fostering motivation and self-efficacy in therapy.
Supportive
Being supportive in therapy is beneficial because it fosters a safe, trusting environment where clients feel valued and understood. As your therapist, I will do my best at showing empathy, validation, encouragement, and engage actively in the therapeutic process. I hope to offer support that reinforces your confidence to make positive changes, and to feel less isolated and more resilient as we work through any challenges that you may be facing.