LMFT, 10 years of experience
My name is Karla Ante-Gonzalez, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) . I received my Masters degrees from the University of Phoenix in Pasadena in 2016. I have been in the field ever since. I have worked in various mental health settings such as group homes, clinics, non-profit organizations and school settings. A major focus in my work has been to help individuals cope with various life stressors especially after all the changes after covid.
In our first session together, we’ll start with learning about each other by doing an introduction about our experiences and what lets us to therapy, then will begin to further explore current challenges that your facing. The first session is important to be honest so that I can tailored approached based on the need and work through in the follow-up sessions.
Having been in the field for quiet sometime now, I have developed a true staying in the moment approach to identify the triggers and/or challenges to help tailor an achievable treatment measurable plan goal.
I love working with children, families, and/or caregivers that are perhaps struggling with recent changes in the home and need support with tool to achieve goals. Also, if you feel stuck in life and don’t know how to move forward in your career and/or personal life.
My experience using this model is challenging those disruptive thoughts that affect your mood and that lead to your negative behaviors that may be impacting your relationship with others and/or performance at home or at work.
It is essential for me to incorporate culturally sensitive approach in my treatment to help clients who don’t identify with the dominant culture group to feel understood by their therapist, which often contributes to a stronger therapeutic rapport.
Instilling a mindfulness approached in my treatment is important to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, depression, and improve their emotional wellbeing. Also, the mindfulness technique can involve paying attention to thoughts and sensations without judgement of others which can help individuals re-focus on the present moment.
I utilized the narrative approach as a tool to help individuals navigate social situations with a more empathetic and insight.
I have many years of experience using play therapy as tool with children to help them improve their self-expression , increase understanding of self, reduce stress, improve interpersonal connections, develop respect and acceptance of self and others, cultivate empathy and respect for other’s thoughts and feelings, develop self-efficacy and better sense of assurance about their capabilities, and process any traumas, triggers, and/or stressful situations in a more healthier way.