Heidi Hernandez
Hi my name is Heidi Hernandez. You may be used to being the person others rely on the responsible one, the helper, or the one who keeps things together. But when you're constantly carrying the needs and expectations of others, it can become difficult to hear your own voice. You may be struggling with self-doubt, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem, or uncertainty about what you want for yourself. You may also be navigating family or cultural expectations while trying to better understand your own identity, values, and needs.
My early experiences led me to a career in school counseling and later realized my passion for more in-depth and individualized mental health work.
As a second-generation Filipino American from Hawaiʻi and a first-generation college graduate, I understand some of the complexities that can come with navigating family, culture, identity, and belonging. As someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I also understand the importance of having a space where you can explore your identity and experiences without judgment.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity to begin feeling understood and to get a sense of what therapy with me may look like. We'll take time to get to know one another, discuss what brings you to therapy, and talk about what you'd like support with. You can share as much or as little personal information as feels comfortable. I won't expect you to have everything figured out or share more than you're ready for. We'll discuss your goals for therapy and begin identifying areas where we can focus our work together. You'll also have space to ask questions, express concerns, and get a feel for whether my approach feels right for you. My goal is for you to leave your first session with a clearer sense of what you want from therapy, how we might work toward those goals together, and whether you feel comfortable continuing. Finding the right therapist matters. If we determine that we're not the best fit, I will do my best to help connect you with resources or a provider who may better meet your needs.
Strengths
I bring warmth, compassion, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to understanding each client as a whole person. I enjoy helping adults and older teens navigate self-doubt, anxiety, depression, difficult life transitions, family conflict, and the tension that can arise between personal needs and generational or cultural expectations. I believe that many of the ways we cope develop for understandable reasons. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and affirming space where clients can explore their experiences, strengthen their self-worth, and develop greater confidence in their ability to navigate life's challenges. As a Filipino American therapist and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I bring cultural awareness and an identity-conscious perspective to my work. I value building genuine therapeutic relationships where clients feel seen, respected, and supported in exploring who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to move forward. My hope is to help clients feel more grounded in themselves, develop healthier relationships and boundaries, and create space for their own needs, values, and goals while still honoring the relationships and communities that matter to them.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with older teens (16+) and adults who are navigating periods of change, self-discovery, and uncertainty about what comes next. My clients may be exploring their identity, relationships, education, career, or what they want their life to look like beyond the expectations of others. Many of the people I work with feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of themselves. They may struggle with self-doubt, motivation, setting boundaries, or finding a healthy balance between their own needs and the needs of their family, relationships, school, or work. I especially enjoy supporting clients who are navigating generational or cultural expectations and trying to reconcile what they've been taught they "should" do with what feels authentic to them. This may include figuring out how to honor family and cultural values while also developing their own beliefs, priorities, and sense of identity. I also welcome LGBTQ+ clients who are exploring identity, belonging, relationships, family dynamics, and self-acceptance. My ideal client doesn't need to have everything figured out. They may simply know that something feels difficult, that they've been carrying too much, or that they want to better understand themselves. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where we can slow down, make sense of what's happening, and work together toward greater self-trust, clarity, and confidence in moving forward.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients develop greater flexibility in how they respond to difficult thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings, we'll work on making space for them while identifying the values and priorities that matter most to you. This can be especially helpful when you're feeling stuck between your own needs and the expectations of family, culture, relationships, or others.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person-centered approach to create a warm, genuine, and nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship. You are the expert on your own experiences, and my role is to listen, understand, and support you as you explore what you need and where you want to go. Together, we'll create space for self-discovery, growth, and greater self-trust.
Trauma Informed Care
My approach is trauma-informed and recognizes that past experiences can shape how we understand ourselves, relate to others, and respond to stress. We'll work at a pace that feels supportive and prioritize safety, choice, and collaboration. Rather than viewing coping patterns as flaws, we'll explore how they developed and whether they continue to serve you today.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify patterns of thinking that may contribute to anxiety, self-doubt, or feeling stuck and explore more balanced and compassionate ways of responding. We may also develop practical strategies to support behavior change and help you feel more confident navigating everyday challenges.
Integrative
I integrate mindfulness, somatic and body-based practices, and parts-informed work to help clients slow down, notice what is happening within them, and develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and patterns. These approaches can help clients build greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and connection with themselves.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 125378