Marguerite Ferrera
Hi, I’m Marguerite. I earned my Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan and have over 5 years of experience providing therapy to children, families, and adults. I’m a DBT, Somatic, and Trauma-informed therapist based in Los Angeles. I support individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, identity exploration, and experiencing big emotions and relationship challenges in feeling more grounded, connected, and aligned. My approach is compassionate, affirming, and collaborative. I integrate DBT skills, somatic therapy, mindfulness, and emotional regulation tools to help you reconnect with your body, build self-trust, joy and navigate stress and relationships more effectively.
As a bilingual English and Spanish speaking therapist who identifies as Black and Afro-Latina, I honor the ways culture, identity, and life experiences shape emotional well-being.
As a bilingual English and Spanish speaking therapist who identifies as Black and Afro-Latina, I honor the ways culture, identity, and life experiences shape emotional well-being. Together, we create a space for meaningful healing, growth, and lasting change.
First session
In our first session, we’ll begin by getting to know each other and exploring what’s bringing you in. From there, we’ll identify underlying concerns and barriers to change while introducing tools for mindfulness, emotional regulation, self-compassion, and positive communication. We may start with gentle somatic practices to help you feel grounded, present, and supported. My goal is to help you feel safe and empowered as we begin creating meaningful change together.
Strengths
I help you identify the root causes of what you’re experiencing and create a plan to support meaningful change, using a warm, compassionate, and direct approach. Together, we explore patterns, emotions, and lived experiences in a space where you feel supported. I also offer homework exercises you can use between sessions to support meaningful, lasting change. I do not shy away from conversations about identity, culture, and systemic stressors when relevant to your healing.
Ideal clients
I love working with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, mood, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My clients are open to exploring root causes and triggers, building self-awareness, and creating meaningful change. I help you reconnect with your body, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop self-compassion and boundaries. My clients are ready to gain tools necessary to start living a healthier and less stressful life. Together, we work toward greater ease, clarity, and alignment in your life.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT in a DBT-informed framework to help clients clarify values, build psychological flexibility, and take meaningful responsibility for choices aligned with the life they want to create. I incorporate structured worksheets and mindfulness practices to support insight, behavior change, and long-term growth.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I provide DBT-informed therapy to help clients strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills. I integrate structured worksheets and practical tools to support accountability, healthier coping, and more balanced relationships.
Somatic
I incorporate somatic and mindfulness-based practices to help clients feel safer in their bodies and regulate the nervous system. This approach supports clients in processing stress and trauma, increasing mind-body awareness, and developing grounding skills that promote stability, connection, and emotional resilience.
Trauma-Focused CBT
As a TF-CBT trained & certified therapist, I have successfully graduated several clients from the TF-CBT model. I use structured worksheets and evidence-based interventions to help clients process trauma, strengthen coping skills, and build a greater sense of safety, empowerment, and emotional understanding.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I provide culturally responsive therapy informed by extensive experience working with Afro-Latino and immigrant populations across Los Angeles County. As an Afro-Latina, bilingual Spanish-English therapist, I integrate awareness of cultural identity, systemic stressors, and lived experience to create an affirming space that supports healing, empowerment, and meaningful growth.
Location
Virtual sessions