Hello! My name is Ness Ruvalcaba. I am an Spanish and English speaking licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California. I work with individuals who are are needing some extra support understanding or creating some change in their lives. I specialize in trauma informed care, PTSD, anxiety and depression, self harm, and various other issues and needs. I also work with individuals around resolving conflict, improving communication, processing difficult experiences, and various other experiences. I have also very much enjoyed supporting parents individually to work on having better relationships with their children and identify the most effective ways they can support their child. I have worked in various settings including virtual therapy, office or clinic based services, school based services with adolescents and their families, and community based services with newcomer and immigrant youth, youth in foster care, adults, and their families maneuvering complex systems. At this time, I do not meet with couples looking for couples therapy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first 1-2 sessions focus on intake and assessment. This allows time for you to share what is going on and issues you are dealing with. It also lets me begin to get to know you and better understand the support you are seeking. We will also discuss what your goals for therapy are and how we can meet them.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I enjoy getting to know you in your unique experience. I became a therapist to offer to offer a safe space, a support system, and a guide to those in need, as well as support families come closer together and find more effective ways of connecting. I am passionate about holding what you are holding with you, as it is not something you have to hold or go through alone. I use various methods to make sure we are doing effective work, but often revolves around how to increase the understanding of what is going on and steps to make it more manageable.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with client's who have experienced trauma and in working with the Latino community, the LGBT community, and individuals who have experienced sexual abuse, experiencing PTSD symptoms, or self harm behaviors. I also enjoy working with client's dealing with relationship conflicts, communication issues, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. I am passionate as well
About Ness Ruvalcaba
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Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma can be such a complex thing. At times we might not even recognize as trauma because it is our norm. I use trauma informed care to collaborate with you and support you overcome whatever challenges are present by creating safety, awareness, and overall how to overcome the difficulty experiences.
Eclectic
A lot of the individuals I work with often respond well to Trauma Informed Care, CBT, narrative therapy, and other modalities; my focus is on what you as the client needs. Treatment is not one size fits all and i pull from different methods to adjust to what will be the best approachh based on your needs. Sometimes it may be we focus on changing behaviors and learning skills, other times it may be we dive into experiences and gain insight. Our work together will have a variety of methods based on your needs.
Psychoeducation
I believe a big part of any work we do, is about empowering you during it. I utilize psychoeducation as a big part of treatment that informs us what is happening, why it's happening, and what we can do about it. Whether is providing information on how to cope, what grief may look like, or how an event from early childhood may have shaped us, psychoeducation provides insight and understanding to support the rest of the work being done based on your specific needs.
Brainspotting
I use brainspotting to help clients access and process deeply rooted emotional issues, particularly trauma and anxiety. By guiding clients to identify specific eye positions linked to their emotional distress, this method facilitates deep processing and release of trauma. I have seen it lead to significant reductions in symptoms and enhanced emotional regulation, making it a valuable tool in my therapeutic practice. It allows clients to gain deeper insights and promotes healing in a safe and supportive environment.