Hi! My name is Marleny and I'm a Bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my Masters from Cal State Long Beach and my undergraduate degree from UCLA. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families affected by mental health issues and traumatic life events. I like to take an individualized approach to therapy and make it a point to try to understand the complexities of our environments, and the impact of such factors on our ability to function. As a therapist who has attended therapy, I empathize with the shaming aspect of mental health issues, and the hesitancy to seek outside professional help. I help support my clients in acquiring the skills needed to empower the version of themselves that they feel is within, but a bit out of reach. Together, we can explore the obstacles life throws our way, devise a plan to move forward, and be better equipped to deal with the next challenge. Please send me a message prior to booking to ensure I can accommodate your preferred dates and times for sessions.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

I wholeheartedly believe that a strong therapeutic alliance is vital to the therapy process. In our first session you can expect introductions and an effort to get to know you, your challenges and your strengths. Then, we will dive into the "problem" or the motivation for therapy and discuss goals for our sessions and our time together. We will discuss what therapeutic approach will be best in helping to reach your goals, and review progress. I value openness and transparency. We will make adjustments to our therapy plan as needed to ensure that you feel you are benefitting from our sessions.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I believe my greatest strengths as a therapist include my empathetic and non-judgmental approach. I also have extensive experience working with individuals with trauma and am comfortable discussing and exploring traumatic events, the meaning we ascribe to such events, and the trauma responses we are left with. As a Latina and first generation, I offer a culturally sensitive space that recognizes the beauty of our culture and our diversity, but also the challenges as we navigate spaces that are not affirming our our identities and experiences. I am Bilingual in Spanish and English and have worked with Latinx populations.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I love working with individuals that have recognized that something in their lives is not working, and who are willing to explore the problem at hand and implement the tools needed to improve. My clients are open and willing to identify and discuss unhelpful thinking patterns/behaviors/beliefs, process their emotions, and try the skills and strategies that are most effective for them.

About Marleny Peña