Mia Grajeda-Willard
Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly eleven years of clinical therapy experience within community mental health, private practice and the hospital setting. I have worked extensively with individuals and families connected to the military, as well as in the general community, to work through problems or through unfinished business. Unfortunately, it is usually from unprocessed trauma. Your body remembers, and it may need help letting it go. I bring both deep expertise and heartfelt commitment to the clients I serve. I am especially passionate about supporting women who are leaving a toxic relationship, veterans experiencing a hard time with that crucial transition from military to civilian life, and children who shouldn't have experienced trauma, but have, and need a little extra support to heal and thrive.
As a spouse to a combat veteran on a journey toward recovering from PTSD, I can relate to the relational issues and parenting issues that go hand-in-hand with the uniqueness of military culture.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and strengths-focused, ensuring that each client feels understood and supported as they work toward meaningful growth and restoration.
First session
During our first session, you can expect personable time spent on building trust and rapport, as the relationship between client and therapist is the most important component of successful therapy. Gathering relevant information about what brings you to therapy and completing clinical assessments will also be explored to understand the context of the problems you would like to work on.
Strengths
As a spouse to a combat veteran on a journey toward recovering from PTSD, I can relate to the relational issues and parenting issues that go hand-in-hand with the uniqueness of military culture. I understand how the training and experience within the military are both a strength and challenge within a family structure, especially for children. The communication style that is necessary and effective within the military is not as effective or beneficial within the home life. I am empathetic and understanding, while also unwavering in the truth that vulnerability, attachment, and evidenced-based methods can help your family get back on track. I am client-centered, family-focused, and transparent in that true healing happens with the support of others, and the completion of successful child therapy goals happens with collaborative parental engagement in the therapeutic process.
Ideal clients
I have over 15 years of experience working with veterans. The last six years have been within the clinical therapy setting, where I have included the veteran and/or non-veteran parent, dependent spouse, and child(ren). My specialty is with children and adolescents of veterans, spouses of veterans, veterans, and survivors of intimate partner violence.
Treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
With five years experience with providing trauma therapy to children, I have witnessed the powerful healing elements of TF-CBT. I am trained by master trainers from UCLA with monthly supervision from a PhD level trainer.
EMDR
I am trained in EMDR I and II with 10 hours of EMDR clinical supervision. I am currently accepting EMDR clients at a reduced rate (cash pay) to meet criteria for EMDRIA certification. Please ask for more details.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is essential to holistic behavioral improvement, positive attachment, and healing when working with children. I have over five years experience of working with families to strengthen familial bonds resulting in motivation to maintain the nuclear family unit. Trained in F.O.C.U.S. for Military Families, an evidenced-based family therapy model developed by UCLA.
Location
Virtual sessions