LMFT, 14 years of experience
Hi my name is Heidi Hernandez, I am a second-generation Filipino American from Hawaii and a first-generation college graduate. As a child of immigrant parents, I struggled with navigating the intersections of my Filipino American identity and sexual identity. 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. I'm passionate about spreading mental health awareness and resources to LGBTQIA2+, AANHPI, and BIPOC communities. I provide culturally informed and identity-conscious care to youth and adults and offer a safe space for compassion and empathy. I enjoy helping individuals live authentically with healthier self-esteem, relationships, and motivation to thrive. Are you experiencing a recent life transition that is causing you stress, anxiety, or depression? (e.g. moving, college, job change/loss, breakups, family changes, coming out) Are you ready to begin healing from childhood traumas and learn ways to develop a healthier relationship with yourself and others? Let's collaborate on prioritizing self-care and moving with more motivation, energy, and purpose. Are you having conflicts with family over generational or cultural expectations? I can help you learn ways to set healthy boundaries, learn to accept reality as it is and take control of the choices that align more with your values and goals. I can help you learn healthy ways to cope with worries and learn to tolerate uncertainty. I will sit with you through painful emotions and help you write a new story with more compassion towards yourself. Whatever place you are in your journey in self-healing I will be present and ready to go to work with you. I look forward to being your supporter, ally, and coach. We will learn, grow, and celebrate every small and big step toward living a more authentic, meaningful, and healthy life.
In our first session, I will introduce myself and discuss what you can expect from the therapy process. Please feel free to ask questions and express concerns at any point during session. I will invite you to share any background information about yourself as you feel comfortable. I will offer you the space to share what challenges you're currently facing and will honor your limits. We will discuss what you're hoping to get out of therapy and how I can help. I will do my best to create a safe space with you and help you work through your thoughts and emotions at your pace. You have an opportunity to reflect and share about your first session with me. If you or I decide that it isn't a good fit. I will do my best to find you a provider that meets your needs.
I utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Informed Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Practices, Strength Based Therapy, Culturally Sensitive Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I tailor my methods to each individual client's needs.
I'm passionate about helping adults discover their true selves, develop self-worth, and learn healthy ways to cope through difficult life transitions, generational/cultural issues, family conflict, depression and anxiety. I strive to create a safe space and support emerging adults with resources to strengthen their support system and feel empowered. I am committed to providing my clients a genuine relationship and will honor an individuals whole self with unconditional positive regard.
I love working with early to middle age adults who are exploring their identities, and need support with navigating the pressures of college, work, friendships, relationships, and family expectations. My clients have difficulty motivating themselves or figuring out what their next steps are whether it be going back to school or pursuing a new career or starting a family. My client's seek a healthier work-life balance. My clients are eager to improve, but need the space to process their thoughts and feeling in a non-judgemental and caring environment. They often feel stuck, overwhelmed, and anxious about school, work, and relationships and direction in life.
3 ratings with written reviews
May 27, 2025
Dr. Hernandez is wonderful. She always leaves space for extrapolation and self-discovery, while posing questions that guide you into further understanding. She is a very warm person and is able to coax out true forgiveness of self, even when one is in a pit of self-loathing. She is also incredibly intelligent and a great educator. I highly recommend her.
May 6, 2025
Heidi is the best therapist I could've ever asked for! As someone who struggles with many thinking errors, she has done a phenomenal job helping me reprogram these thoughts. With her guidance and therapy style, I've greatly grown into a more confident and self-assured person than I was before. Her welcoming and nonjudgmental presence creates the ideal environment for honest conversations about anything. Heidi has become a trusted friend, and I always look forward to our appointments.
April 28, 2025
Heidi is so kind, compassionate, and truly holds space for you to be authentic with yourself. I appreciate how she helps me understand my experiences and emotions through my personal identity; I find myself engaging in a lot of meaningful reflection. She acknowledges my feelings and celebrates every step I make towards growth too. I'm happy to connect with such a wonderful therapist who not only understands, but also empowers me.
Heidi Hernandez offers therapy covered by Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal in California.