New to Grow
I’m Jose De La Cruz, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) trained and certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), specializing in helping clients improve emotional regulation, confidence, anxiety management, and overall mental well-being. I work with individuals who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, stress, self-doubt, burnout, unhealthy coping patterns, or emotional overwhelm and want practical tools and deeper change. My approach combines evidence-based therapies such as CBT and EMDR with emotional regulation strategies to help clients better understand themselves, gain control over their emotions, and create meaningful behavioral change. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, confidence, relationships, stress, or life transitions, my goal is to help them feel more grounded, empowered, and capable in their daily life.
During the first session, we’ll take time to explore what brings you to therapy, the challenges you’ve been experiencing, and the goals you would like to work toward. I’ll ask questions about your emotional well-being, stress levels, thought patterns, coping strategies, relationships, and any important life experiences that may be contributing to your current concerns. My approach is supportive, structured, and collaborative. The first session is not about judgment. It’s about understanding you as a whole person and creating a clear direction for treatment. Together, we’ll begin identifying practical tools and strategies that can help you feel more grounded, emotionally balanced, and in control moving forward.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to combine empathy with structure and practical guidance. I help clients not only understand why they feel the way they do, but also develop realistic tools and strategies to create meaningful change in their daily lives. Many clients appreciate that our work together feels both supportive and goal-oriented rather than vague or passive. I specialize in helping individuals who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, emotional overwhelm, stress, self-doubt, perfectionism, and unhealthy behavioral patterns. My approach integrates evidence-based therapies such as CBT and EMDR with emotional regulation techniques to help clients better understand their emotional responses, build resilience, and improve confidence and self-control. Clients often describe me as grounded, direct, compassionate, and easy to talk to. I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel understood while also feeling empowered to grow, take action, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
I work best with clients who are motivated for change and want practical tools, deeper emotional insight, and structured guidance rather than just surface-level conversation. Many of the clients I work with struggle with anxiety, overthinking, stress, emotional overwhelm, self-sabotage, confidence issues, perfectionism, burnout, relationship patterns, or difficulty regulating emotions under pressure. I also work well with athletes, professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and high performers who want to improve confidence, focus, emotional control, discipline, and overall mental performance. Many of my clients are intelligent, self-aware individuals who understand “why” they struggle but still feel stuck repeating the same emotional or behavioral patterns. My ideal clients are open-minded, growth-oriented, and willing to actively participate in the therapeutic process. Together, we focus on building emotional resilience, healthier thought patterns, stronger boundaries, self-confidence, and practical behavioral changes that improve daily life and long-term well-being.
EMDR
I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients work through difficult experiences, anxiety, stress, trauma, panic, and negative thought patterns in a healthier way. EMDR helps the brain process overwhelming memories and emotional reactions so they no longer feel as intense or controlling. In sessions, I combine EMDR with practical coping tools, emotional regulation strategies, and supportive conversation to help clients feel calmer, more confident, and more in control of their daily life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence each other. Many people get stuck in patterns of overthinking, anxiety, self-doubt, avoidance, stress, or unhealthy coping habits, and CBT helps identify and change those patterns in a practical and structured way. In sessions, I work collaboratively with clients to develop healthier thinking patterns, emotional regulation skills, and realistic behavioral goals that can improve confidence, relationships, performance, and overall mental well-being.