Hello! My name is Efren a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in California. I received my masters at USC and my BA in psychology at UC Santa Cruz. I have been working in the field of mental health for about 7 years and have worked with children, adults and older adults, with a range of mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, trauma, psychotic disorders, just to name a few. My hope is to build a strong relationship with you and help explore and understand the sources of your mental health challenges.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, I aim to simply get to know you and start where you are at. Whether you are at "I don't know what to talk about," "I am too anxious, depressed, alone, traumatized, over it" I will meet you where you are at and build from this moment. I also do my best to work on goals and objectives in our first session, to help guide our time together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I feel that my greatest strengths in listening, understanding and staying in the moment with curiosity. We can often struggle to bring awareness to ourselves and struggle to understand why we feel the way we do. I strive to help you break this cycle, stop, listen and learn about why you feel anxious, depressed, alone, guilty, etc., and help build a road to recovery and healing.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with adults who have been struggling with anxiety, depression that may show up in relationships with others or with yourself. I aim to address childhood traumas that may be the source of these challenges and help change the relationship you have with this part of you. I hope to work together to help recognize, bring awareness, build safety and help piece together your sense of self, that may be fragmented by previous childhood experiences.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
My approach is primarily centered around developing a working therapeutic relationship in a culturally competent, safe, and empathic environment. I believe in a client-centered, strengths-based approach, where you are the expert and we work together, to help you reach your goals.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma informed care is all about having awareness and understanding of trauma and having a space to feel safe with trauma. My approach focuses on having this awareness to help lead to healing and build a sense of safety with yourself.
Strength-Based
We all have strengths as a person. Sometimes they can feel hidden and we can convince ourselves that we have no strengths, and have a negative view of self. In my approach, I hope to bring these strengths to light and give them the understanding and acknowledgment from yourself.