Hello! My name is Brieana Lopez LMFT and have over a decade providing therapeutic services. I have been fortunate enough to work with a wide variety of people in both Catholic-Christian and secular communities at various levels of care including providing Applied Behavioral Analysis for youth with Autism, Inpatient Case Management and Group Therapy, Intensive Outpatient Therapy for youth and young adults, and Outpatient Services for all ages in the non-profit sphere. My diverse experience has allowed me to see and appreciate the human experience at differing levels of need, care, and diagnosis. It has been my great pleasure to treat and to walk along clients for the past decade. In my experience, when a client commits to therapy full-heartedly they have the potential to find a strength and compassion in themselves they didn't know existed. While therapy at times causes some necessary discomfort, the impact when the process is committed to is invaluable. Educational Background; B.A. Psychology; University of San Francisco M.A. Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy; University of San Francisco M.A. Theology in Christian Ministry (In Progress); Franciscan University of Steubenville Certifications: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

At an intake appointment with me, my goal is to collect information and collaboratively formulate a goal with a client to understand what they are seeking from treatment. I ask questions to understand what they need assistance with and how they would like to see their mental health improve. From there, we would explore potential diagnosis and provide strategies to manage their symptoms until their next appointment where we will review their treatment plan. There is no to pressure to show up differently or withhold your symptoms. You are free to express yourself as my secondary goal is to create safety in therapeutic relationship. Client's benefit most when they allow me to create that safety for them.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My greatest strengths lie in my ability to be both empathetic and reasonable within a therapeutic relationship. I value creating emotional safety and providing a client with the security to be themself as they may have not received that in key relationships throughout their life. I allow my client's to have the freedom to express as they wish while I hold and model healthy boundaries for them. My experience in providing care for patients at the highest level of care (Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital) has allowed me to develop a critical skills as I've managed challenging cases. Additionally, over 15 years of experience in ministry and Master's level of education in Theology and Christian Ministry has gifted me with a sound understanding of church culture and faith-based principles.

About Brieana Lopez