Hello! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) located in South Bay LA, and have been practicing for over 7 years. I received my MMFT from University of Southern California, and work primarily with teens, adults, and young adults who struggle to feel good about themselves and where they are in life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My main goal for our first session is to create a space where you can feel comfort and safety in sharing your inner-most self. Through warmth, compassion, and curiosity, I hope to create an environment that is supportive and free of judgment. I will also begin to assist you in building awareness surrounding patterns that prevent movement, and in exploring new ways to elicit change.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My priority is to not only create a space that feels safe for you, but that also enables you to feels a sense of hope and empowerment in moving forward. With my background training in several different modalities, I am able to use those to create a framework for how to assist you in getting out of that stuck place and moving forward with intention.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with ages 12+. Each age group brings it's own set of challenges around family, friendships, school/work, and identity that make it tough to know how to feel good and move forward in a way that feels positive. I love to create that safe space where you can open up and explore these struggles, and to work with them in creating a greater sense of self-esteem, healthy boundaries, better communication, and coping skills that allow you to live a life that feels more authentic and joyful.
About Ciana Gonzales
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
I often like to explore the impact of our formed attachment to our caregivers, as they often inform our patterns within relationships and partners we choose.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I am formally trained in CBT, which explores the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and empowers us to create small shifts that can create positive impact on our lives. CBT is considered an evidenced-based practice, and can effectively treat anxiety and depression.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I sometimes like to utilize ACT, which allows us to be curious about our emotions, rather than judge our experience. Through ACT, we can develop self-compassion, and allow ourselves to sit with those particularly challenging emotions.
Interpersonal
I am formally trained in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), which explores how our healing is created through meaningful connection with others.
Motivational Interviewing
I will help you identify your motivations behind creating positive change that can lead to action.