Debra Velasquez
Hi! Welcome to my practice! I offer therapy as a calm, supportive space where you can slow down and feel genuinely heard. With over 15 years of experience, I’ve helped individuals move through anxiety, depression, hurt, and major life transitions. My style is warm, collaborative, and practical—focused on helping you feel grounded and capable of meaningful change. I use evidence‑based approaches like DBT, CBT, and Problem‑Solving Therapy to build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and support personal growth. Together, we’ll explore what’s been weighing on you, understand patterns that no longer serve you, and practice tools that help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Therapy with me is welcoming and human. You don’t need to have the perfect words or a polished story—just a willingness to show up as you are. My hope is that each session leaves you feeling supported, understood, and more connected to your own strength.
First session
A first session is simply a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what brought you in, your goals, and what feels most important right now. Many people feel nervous at the beginning—that’s completely normal. My role is to create a calm, supportive space where you can settle in, ask questions, and share at your own pace.
Strengths
I bring a grounded, compassionate presence shaped by years of education and lived experiences with struggle and resilience. My work has strengthened my ability to build trust, offer stability, and meet people exactly where they are without judgment. Clinically, I blend warmth with evidence-based approaches to provide support that is both empathetic and practical. Together, these experiences allow me to show up with steadiness, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s story.
Ideal clients
A preferred client for me is someone who’s ready to participate in their own growth—motivated for change, open to reflection, and willing to engage in the process even when it feels uncomfortable. I work best with people who show up with curiosity, honesty, and a desire to understand themselves more deeply. Whether they’re navigating instability, transitions, or long‑standing patterns, I’m drawn to clients who want to take active steps toward a more grounded and empowered version of themselves.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a way of helping people notice the patterns between what they think, how they feel, and what they do. It teaches you to slow down and look at your thoughts with a bit more clarity—especially the ones that make life feel heavier or more stressful. Instead of getting stuck in old habits or assumptions, CBT helps you practice new ways of responding so you feel more grounded, capable, and in control. At its core, it’s about learning small, practical skills that make everyday challenges easier to navigate.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution‑focused therapy centers on what’s already working in your life and helps you build on those strengths. Instead of staying stuck in the problem, it encourages you to picture what things would look like if they were even a little better, then identify small, realistic steps to move in that direction. Problem‑solving therapy fits naturally into this approach by helping you break challenges down, look at them more clearly, and try out practical solutions one at a time. Together, these methods help you feel more capable, hopeful, and confident as you work toward meaningful change.
Faith based therapy
Faith‑based therapy weaves a person’s spiritual beliefs into the healing process in a way that feels natural and supportive. It helps people draw strength, comfort, and guidance from their faith while working through life’s challenges. Instead of focusing only on problems, it encourages reflection, hope, and connection to something larger than oneself. At its core, it’s about using the values, practices, and meaning already present in someone’s spiritual life to support growth, resilience, and emotional well‑being.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 113143