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Jacqueline Green-Garvey
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My name is Larisa Escalante, and I am licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #140018). My approach to therapy is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a highly effective and evidence-based therapeutic modality. In addition to my expertise in CBT, I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting therapies. These trauma-focused therapies are instrumental in helping individuals process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences, fostering resilience and emotional growth. II was drawn to this profession by a genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact on people's lives. As a therapist I have a natural inclination towards understanding and empathizing with others. My genuine care about people's well-being and want to provide support during times of struggle. I often find fulfillment in assisting individuals in overcoming challenges, achieving personal growth, and making positive changes in their lives. The study of human behavior, emotions, and psychological processes is intriguing and captivating to me as a therapist. It also helps me to experience my own personal growth and healing through therapy, which inspires me to help others in similar ways.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I strive to cultivate a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental tone in therapy sessions. Also, I create a safe and supportive environment where clients can openly express their thoughts, emotions, and concerns without fear of criticism or judgment. My approach is collaborative, working together with clients to identify their goals and develop strategies for personal growth and healing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Throughout my career as a mental health professional, I have been privileged to work with diverse populations, gaining valuable experience in assisting individuals facing various challenges. My passion lies in supporting those with substance use disorders and dual diagnoses, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Additionally, I have extensive experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, fostering an inclusive and empathetic approach to therapy. I find great fulfillment in helping individuals navigate issues in their relationships, overcome low self-esteem, manage anxiety and depression, cope with suicidal ideation, address eating disorders, and explore gender dysphoria. However, my specialty and area of expertise lies in addressing trauma resulting from experiences of abandonment and rejection. I am dedicated to providing a safe and understanding space for individuals who have struggled with these emotional wounds from their past. For those who have experienced childhood abandonment and rejection, I am committed to guiding them through their past traumas and empowering them to rebuild their lives. My ultimate goal is to assist clients in developing resilience, self-compassion, and a strong sense of self-worth. Through this transformative process, I hope to help individuals not only heal from their past wounds but also foster growth and self-discovery. I firmly believe that every individual has the capacity for change and growth, and I am dedicated to being a compassionate partner on their path to healing. If you have faced the painful effects of abandonment and rejection in your life, I am here to offer my support, understanding, and expertise to help you overcome these obstacles and build a brighter future. Thank you for considering me as your potential therapist. Together, we can work towards unlocking your inner strength and resilience, enabling you to lead a fulfilling and empowered life.
About Larisa Escalante
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Fully bookedMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In practice, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective and evidence-based treatment methods. My experience with CBT involves helping clients identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns and replace them with more balanced and constructive thoughts. How I Use CBT in Practice: Assessment and Psychoeducation: I begin by assessing the client's specific issues, identifying negative thought patterns, cognitive distortions, and underlying beliefs that contribute to emotional distress. I educate clients about the cognitive model, explaining how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Cognitive Restructuring: I guide clients in identifying negative automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, or overgeneralization. Through Socratic questioning and thought records, clients learn to challenge and reframe these thoughts, considering alternative perspectives. Behavioral Interventions: I incorporate behavioral techniques like exposure therapy, behavioral activation, and activity scheduling to help clients confront fears, increase positive activities, and break the cycle of avoidance. Clients are encouraged to engage in activities that bring them joy or a sense of accomplishment, which helps to improve mood and reduce negative thinking. Homework Assignments: Homework is an essential component of CBT. I assign tasks like keeping a thought diary, practicing relaxation techniques, or engaging in specific behavioral experiments to reinforce what is learned in sessions. Skill Building: I help clients develop coping skills, such as problem-solving, assertiveness training, and relaxation techniques, to manage stress and improve their overall well-being. Clients learn how to implement these skills in real-life situations, gradually building confidence and resilience. Progress Monitoring: I regularly review progress with clients, adjusting treatment plans as necessary. We evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and celebrate successes, which reinforces positive change. Relapse Prevention: Toward the end of treatment, I focus on relapse prevention by helping clients recognize early warning signs of distress and develop a plan for maintaining their progress. Clients learn how to apply CBT techniques independently, empowering them to manage future challenges effectively. Application in Various Issues: Anxiety: I use CBT to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, physical sensations, and behaviors, often incorporating exposure therapy to reduce avoidance and desensitize them to anxiety-provoking situations. Depression: I focus on breaking the cycle of negative thinking and inactivity by encouraging clients to engage in rewarding activities and challenge their self-critical thoughts. Self-Esteem: CBT techniques help clients identify and reframe self-defeating beliefs, promoting a more positive self-image and healthier relationships. Trauma: I combine CBT with other approaches like EMDR to address the cognitive distortions and negative beliefs stemming from traumatic experiences. In summary, CBT is versatile and can be tailored to each client’s needs, making it a cornerstone of effective therapy in my practice.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful and structured therapeutic approach primarily used for treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). My experience with EMDR involves guiding clients through the reprocessing of traumatic memories and negative beliefs that have become stuck and continue to cause distress. How I Use EMDR in Practice: Assessment and History-Taking: I start with a comprehensive assessment to understand the client's history, including any traumatic experiences, current symptoms, and the impact on daily life. This phase helps in identifying the target memories that will be processed during EMDR. The assessment also includes evaluating the client's readiness for EMDR, ensuring they have sufficient coping skills and stability to engage in the process. Preparation: Before beginning EMDR, I spend time preparing the client, explaining the EMDR process, and establishing a sense of safety. This phase includes teaching relaxation techniques, grounding exercises, and coping strategies that the client can use if they become overwhelmed during the sessions. We also work on developing a "safe place" or "happy place," a mental image that the client can use as a resource to calm themselves during or after the session if needed. Assessment Phase: In this phase, we identify the specific target memory or negative belief that will be the focus of the EMDR session. This includes identifying the visual image associated with the memory, the negative belief about themselves (e.g., "I am unsafe," "I am unworthy"), and the emotions and physical sensations linked to the memory. I also help the client identify a desired positive belief that they would like to hold instead, such as "I am safe now" or "I am worthy of love." Desensitization and Reprocessing: During this phase, the client focuses on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This BLS is believed to help reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge and transforming negative beliefs. I guide the client through multiple sets of BLS, checking in after each set to assess any changes in thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations. The process continues until the memory is no longer distressing and the negative belief is weakened. Installation of Positive Belief: Once the negative belief is processed, I help the client install the positive belief identified earlier. Through BLS, the client strengthens this belief, making it more accessible in their daily life. Body Scan: After installing the positive belief, we conduct a body scan, where the client mentally scans their body for any residual tension or distress related to the memory. If any discomfort remains, we continue reprocessing until the client feels calm and at ease. Closure: At the end of the session, I ensure that the client feels grounded and stable. We may use the safe place or other relaxation techniques to help them return to a calm state. If the memory is not fully processed, we ensure it is "contained" until the next session. Reevaluation: At the beginning of the next session, we reevaluate the memory to see if any distress remains. This allows us to address any lingering issues and confirm that the positive belief is firmly established.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful and focused therapeutic approach that I have utilized effectively in my practice to help clients process deep-seated emotional and psychological issues. My experience with Brainspotting involves using this method to target specific areas of the brain where trauma, negative emotions, or unresolved issues are stored.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Building a strong therapeutic alliance is central to my approach when using DBT. I work collaboratively with clients to identify their goals and tailor the DBT skills to meet their individual needs. The therapeutic relationship is based on mutual respect, validation, and a non-judgmental attitude, which are key elements of DBT. How I Use DBT in My Practice: Mindfulness Skills: I teach clients mindfulness techniques to help them stay present and aware of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment. Mindfulness serves as the foundation for all other DBT skills, helping clients to observe their experiences more objectively and respond more effectively. Distress Tolerance Skills: For clients who struggle with intense emotions or crisis situations, I introduce distress tolerance skills. These skills, such as radical acceptance, self-soothing, and distraction, help clients cope with emotional pain without resorting to harmful behaviors like self-harm or substance use. Emotion Regulation Skills: I work with clients to develop emotion regulation strategies that enable them to identify, understand, and manage their emotions more effectively. This includes techniques for reducing vulnerability to negative emotions, increasing positive emotional experiences, and applying opposite action to change unhelpful emotional responses. Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills: Many clients struggle with relationships, so I focus on teaching interpersonal effectiveness skills. These skills help clients communicate their needs, set boundaries, and navigate conflicts in a healthy and assertive manner. I often use role-playing exercises to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment. Individual and Group Therapy: I use DBT in both individual and group therapy settings. In individual sessions, I tailor the skills to the client’s specific challenges and goals, providing personalized feedback and support. In group therapy, clients have the opportunity to learn and practice DBT skills with peers, which fosters a sense of community and shared experience. Diary Cards and Homework: To reinforce the skills learned in sessions, I encourage clients to use diary cards to track their emotions, behaviors, and skill usage throughout the week. Homework assignments are also a key part of DBT, as they provide clients with the opportunity to apply DBT skills in real-life situations.
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Larisa Escalante is fully booked, but don't worry
We've found 1258 other providers who could be a great match