(she/her)
I am a bilingual (Spanish ) and bicultural therapist with an MSW from UCLA, class of 1999. Having had my LCSW license for two decades, I’ve worked with all types of people. I’m particularly interested in people who want to make constructive changes in their lives in order to improve their mental health, relationships and overall life. I specialize in trauma, depression and anxiety. Being older (54), I feel like I have the professional and lived experience needed to create space for people's pain.
During the first session, it’s a meet and greet. I get a lot of information and then we see how we want to proceed.
Having a great deal of empathy for people who have survived horrific childhoods or other traumas is my biggest strength.
I really feel a kinship with survivors of trauma. Going on the healing journey with my clients is a privilege. My background in public health (I also have an MPH) also prepared me to see the intersection between physical and mental health. I like to guide people to be better versions of themselves and feel better at their own pace.
Psychodynamic
My philosophy is that there is no one correct way to do therapy. If there are issues in childhood that are causing pain the present, then we need to address that. Therefore, it’s all about ways to make the client feel better while understanding root causes of trauma in childhood and beyond.
3 ratings with written reviews
February 19, 2026
Vanessa is authentic, solutions orientated, and open minded. I love that she just gets me!
January 20, 2026
Vanessa is an incredible therapist and the perfect fit for me. We share cultural understanding (Latina/Latino and Spanish-speaking), which means I don’t have to over-explain myself. She has deep experience with the LGBTQ+ and recovery communities, so conversations about sex, love, and addiction feel understood and judgment-free. She listens closely, connects patterns, and helps me grow. Highly recommend.
February 19, 2025
I am very fortunate to have Vanessa as a therapist. She draws from 23years of experience to service and I have benefited from her candid feedback to make changes in myself.