Frequently rebooked
Hola! Just pause for a moment and give yourself credit for taking the first step toward bettering your mental health. I know it can feel empowering, confusing, and maybe even a little scary all at once, but you're here, and that's a huge step in itself. I'm a bilingual LCSW based in Southern California, practicing for about 5 years. I help clients manage emotional distress, regulate behavior, and work toward lasting change. I build trust and provide a safe space where we normalize that life includes both highs and lows across emotional, social, and developmental areas. It would be both an honor and a privilege to accompany you on this part of your journey. "The human race has only one effective weapon, and that is laughter." – Mark Twain
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
We'll start by introducing ourselves and discussing your expectations for therapy. I'll review your assessments and ask questions to gather additional information. Then we'll collaboratively create a tailored plan to make the most of our time together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my biggest strengths is that I truly believe clients are the experts in their own lives. I don’t come from a place of judgment, but rather from a mindset of wanting to learn from you and your unique experiences. Another strength is my ability to build strong rapport and create a safe, trusting relationship. I also draw on creative interventions tailored to your interests, hobbies, and skills, which helps make the therapeutic process more engaging and relevant to you. Finally, I value open communication and feedback, because I want you to feel comfortable expressing how you'd like your treatment to unfold and what works best for you.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I’m passionate about helping adolescents and young adults develop the tools they need to overcome challenges and build resilience. My goal is to support them in gaining the confidence to keep moving forward, even when faced with life's inevitable challenges. I also strive to normalize that life is made up of both highs and lows- emotional, social, academic, and developmental areas.
Trauma-Focused CBT
TF-CBT helps clients gain mastery over their trauma-related symptoms, restore a sense of safety, and develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing distress. While TF-CBT is a structured model, it’s also flexible and can be tailored to individual needs and strengths. For example, with children, I might incorporate play therapy techniques to make the process less intimidating. With adults, I may encourage their creative writing skills during the narrative aspect. Measuring the frequency of trauma-related symptoms and behaviors over time is a critical part of assessing a client’s progress in therapy; therefore, an instrument that I utilize is the UCLA Reaction Index.
Psychodynamic
I utilize psychodynamic approaches to help clients explore the root causes of psychological distress, focusing on unresolved issues and the emotional dynamics that influence current patterns of behavior. When using this approach, I integrate Attachment and Family Systems Theories. For example, if a client has difficulties in intimate relationships (e.g., fear of abandonment, emotional distance), I may explore how early attachment dynamics with caregivers contributed to these patterns and ways family dynamics reinforce the attachment style. I have assisted clients increase insight on internalized family roles (e.g., the “scapegoat” or the “peacemaker”) that are unconscious but still shape their behavior.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
My role as a therapist is to guide the client through the process of clarifying their goals, identifying solutions, and building on their existing strengths to make incremental progress toward those goals. By maintaining a future-focused, solution-oriented perspective and working collaboratively with the client, SFBT fosters hope, motivation, and a sense of empowerment.