Selena Villa
Hi, I’m Dr. Selena Villa, LCSW, DSW, founder of Individual Empowerment Therapy Services. I specialize in helping children, teens, and families navigate anxiety, OCD, grief, and life transitions. My approach combines evidence-based therapy with creativity, nature, and animal-assisted interventions when appropriate. I also partner with parents to build practical skills that support confidence, connection, and lasting change at home and beyond.
First session
Our first session is about getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. We’ll explore your concerns, strengths, goals, and what you hope to gain from our work together. For children and teens, I also collaborate with parents to understand the bigger picture. My goal is to create a comfortable, supportive space while developing a personalized plan for moving forward.
Strengths
I bring warmth, creativity, and a practical, strengths-based approach to each session. My experience working with children, teens, and families allows me to meet clients where they are while making therapy engaging and approachable. I balance evidence-based strategies with compassion, humor, and flexibility, helping clients feel understood while building practical skills they can use beyond the therapy room.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are children, teens, college students, and families navigating anxiety-related concerns, including excessive worry, fears, phobias, separation anxiety, social anxiety, and OCD. I enjoy helping young people who feel overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, avoidance, or “what ifs.” I also partner with parents and families to build practical skills that reduce anxiety, increase confidence, and create lasting change at home.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children, teens, and young adults understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we identify anxious thought patterns, avoidance, and unhelpful “what if” thinking. I use developmentally appropriate strategies, including coping skills, cognitive reframing, gradual exposure, and behavioral practice, to help clients face fears, build confidence, and manage anxiety in everyday life.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 106504