Hola! I am an LCSW based in California with 6 years of experience in the mental health field. I help adults and older adults manage and cope with a variety of mental health concerns that develop throughout the lifespan. Whether these concerns are adjusting to life-changes or managing ongoing concerns, I am here to help clients in their journey. I focus on fostering a sense of empowerment so that all clients can walk away from sessions with the motivation to enact the change they seek.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I like to begin our first session with introductions, so that we are not strangers to each other, and also open the space for clients to pose any questions or concerns that would be beneficial to address at intake. From there on, the focus of conversation will be on identifying the different challenges that a client is facing. As we discussed these topics, I will also approach our conversation with curiosity so I can gather a comprehensive snapshot of where you find yourself in life. This will help both of us collaboratively identify goals that we can work on in subsequent sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My main focus and approach to individual therapy is healing through empowerment. I am driven to be an ally to everyone’s journey in building a strong and stable mental health foundation so that they can move through the world with an empowered sense of self. As a bilingual (Spanish speaking) and bicultural (1st generation person), also strengthens the affirming perspective I bring to my practice.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I work best with adults and older adults, my professional experience ranges from working with young adults to older adults. I am very effective working with clients that are ready to make a change but find themselves overwhelmed at the starting point. I thrive working with clients who are open and appreciate when their therapist matches that effort. I have a strong sense of empathetic accountability, so clients who are open to that would be a great fit. Ultimately, I would want to take this opportunity with grow to connect with LGBTQIA+ clients and support the community through my practice. The community comes with a wealth of diversity across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic statuses. I have a serious commitment to serving the LGBTQIA+ community so that I can utilize this privilege of advanced education to empower, health, and foster resilience among my community.
About Fernando Aguirre
Fernando Aguirre offers therapy covered by Calviva Health (Medi-Cal), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal) and Health Net (Medi-Cal) in California.
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
I have worked in community health clinics utilizing TF-CBT. This type of work is effective in addressing the impact(s) different types of trauma(s) has on any individual. TF-CBT can be helpful in establishing skills to manage trauma responses, thus creating a strong foundation to dive into other concerns.
Humanistic
Humanistic person-centered therapy is one of the main foundations from which I have practiced throughout my career in mental health. My experience has taught me that clients are the experts of their own life. Moreover, they are working to achieve their best life. My clinical training allows for me to support the clients in this journey and assist in expanding the areas of growth while affirming their strenghts.
Gender-affirming therapy
Sessions will always be a safe space for all clients to show up as their authentic selves. I have had the privilege to work with clients all across the gender spectrum and at different stages of their gender-identity formation. I work diligently to create an affirming space where all gender identities are welcomed to thrive.
Motivational Interviewing
I have worked closely with the justice-involved community where I utilized motivational interviewing in daily practice. Change is difficult, for everyone. Motivational interviewing is effective for clients to understand their motivation towards change, start taking actions toward the change, and work collaboratively to identify roadblocks that can be circumvented.
Strength-Based
I approach every session and situation with the intention to identify the strengths that clients use to move through it. Strength-based acknowledges that every person has personal characteristics that allow us to achieve our goals. My approach is to integrate these perspectives to empower clients through the myriad of situations life brings.