(she/her)
Bienvenidos! I’m a dedicated and compassionate clinical counselor specializing in queer mental health. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and experiences faced by the queer community, I am committed to providing inclusive and affirming therapeutic support. Through a collaborative and client-centered approach, I strive to empower individuals to navigate their mental health journeys and foster personal growth. Please feel free to check out my private practice website: www.IJPTherapy.com
During our first session, we’ll explore your priorities, goals, and expectations for therapy in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to you. This is a space for you to share what’s on your mind, what brought you here, and what you hope to gain from our work together. We’ll also discuss how I approach therapy—balancing insight, humor, and a person-centered, intersectional lens—so we can create a process that feels aligned with your needs. Most importantly, this session is about setting the foundation for a supportive, collaborative journey where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.
What makes me unique as a therapist is my transparency and authenticity—I show up as a real person in this work. As a first-generation Latina, lesbian, and Catholic therapist, I understand the complexity of holding multiple identities and navigating the spaces in between. My experience spans across crisis management, therapy, and case management, giving me a well-rounded perspective on both immediate support and long-term healing. I believe in blending deep insight with humor and meeting you where you are with honesty, warmth, and a commitment to creating an inclusive space where all parts of you are welcome.
I work best with clients who are ready to be honest with themselves and do meaningful, sometimes uncomfortable, growth. I specialize in working with queer and first-generation individuals who are navigating anxiety, family expectations, identity, and self-worth. Many of my clients are unpacking who they were taught to be versus who they actually are, and are ready to stop shrinking themselves to fit others’ expectations. In our work, I offer a direct, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where we can challenge patterns, build insight, and create real change. If you’re ready to show up, get curious, and choose yourself more fully, we’ll be a strong fit.
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $150 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Commercial)
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to distress. I work collaboratively to reframe self-critical thinking and strengthen the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support clients in developing acceptance of difficult emotions while moving toward values-aligned action. I emphasize psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and meaningful change rather than symptom avoidance.
Strength-Based
I take a strengths-based approach by highlighting client resilience, progress, and existing coping skills. I support clients in building confidence and reinforcing what is already working.
Compassion Focused
I help clients recognize patterns of self-criticism and internalized shame and guide them toward more compassionate self-talk. I focus on reducing self-blame while increasing emotional awareness and self-acceptance.
Psychoanalytic
I draw from a psychodynamic approach to help clients explore how early experiences, relational patterns, and unconscious dynamics may be shaping current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I pay close attention to recurring themes in the therapeutic relationship and support clients in gaining insight into deeper emotional processes, with the goal of fostering greater self-understanding and lasting change.
3 ratings with written reviews
June 8, 2026
I really appreciated her thoughtful approach and immediately felt comfortable opening up to her. Her experiences as both a therapist and a person were helpful, and I thought she was an affirming and supportive therapist. I definitely look forward to seeing her again soon
June 9, 2025
Irma was very kind and welcoming. She immediately made me feel comfortable to share and openly talk to her. I appreciate her humor and overall authentic communication.
April 10, 2025
In our first session she created space to get to know me, asking questions and offering observations in an open and nonjudgmental way. She built trust and I left the session feeling like I'm in good hands.