I am a bilingual, bicultural licensed therapist based in California (#27110). I understand the importance of culture and identity and how they each play a part in how we see the world. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I am passionate about helping clients through their healing journey. I am committed to helping my clients understand how their past experiences impact their current lives.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I want my client to think of our first session together as a time to get to know each other, complete and finish necessary paperwork, and for them to have the opportunity to get to know me in order for them to feel comfortable as we work through a plan for them and their needs.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am an empathetic person. I believe that gives me the ability to understand and connect with my client and build a strong therapeutic alliance and makes my clients feel heard and validated.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am passionate about helping clients through their healing journey. I am committed to helping my clients understand how their past experiences impact their current lives. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and assist in
About Maria Gonzalez
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT often in my practice to help clients with difficult thoughts, emotions and behaviors. I work collaboratively with patient to set goals, provide education, assist in identifying and challenge cognitive distortions, provide skills they can use and assist in engaging in activitites. 1. Assessment and Goal Setting Assessment: Begin with a thorough assessment to understand the client's issues, including their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This might involve discussing their history, current symptoms, and life context. Goal Setting: Collaboratively set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. These goals provide direction and a way to measure progress. 2. Education and Conceptualization Education: Educate clients about CBT principles, such as the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Explain how cognitive distortions (e.g., all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing) can affect their emotional state and actions. Conceptualization: Develop a cognitive conceptualization of the client's problems, often presented as a cognitive model or case formulation. This helps both the therapist and client understand the problem from a CBT perspective. 3. Identifying and Challenging Cognitive Distortions Identify Negative Thoughts: Help clients become aware of their automatic negative thoughts and cognitive distortions. This might involve tracking thoughts in different situations. Challenge and Reframe: Work with clients to challenge these negative thoughts and cognitive distortions. This involves examining the evidence for and against these thoughts, and developing more balanced, realistic thoughts. 4. Behavioral Interventions Behavioral Activation: Encourage clients to engage in activities that they find pleasurable or meaningful, especially if they have been withdrawing due to depression or anxiety. Exposure Therapy: For clients with anxiety disorders or phobias, use gradual exposure to help them face and reduce their fear of specific situations or objects. Skills Training: Teach clients new skills, such as problem-solving, assertiveness, or relaxation techniques, to better manage stress and cope with challenging situations. 5. Homework Assignments Practice: Assign homework to help clients practice skills learned during sessions. This might include thought records, behavioral experiments, or journaling. Review: Discuss the homework in subsequent sessions, reviewing what worked, what didn’t, and making adjustments as needed. 6. Relapse Prevention and Maintenance Relapse Prevention: Develop strategies with clients to maintain their progress and prevent relapse. This includes identifying potential triggers and developing coping strategies. Ongoing Maintenance: Encourage clients to continue using CBT techniques independently and to seek help if needed. 7. Evaluation and Feedback Evaluate Progress: Regularly assess progress towards goals and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. Feedback: Provide feedback to clients on their progress and adjust strategies to better meet their needs. CBT is flexible and can be adapted to various issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. The key elements of CBT involve understanding the interplay of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, actively challenging maladaptive thoughts, and using behavioral techniques to improve overall functioning and well-being.
EMDR
I have used EMDR with patient's with long standing trauma as well as with recent events that cause distress. I often use EMDR in combination with CBT to assist Cx in connecting past distressing events with current symptoms.