Mental Health Wellness

Welcome! 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years of counseling/therapy experience. I specialize in working with young adults and meet with people out in the community, in their home, or virtually. I am a firm believer that therapists are only facilitators along one's path to wellness and personal growth. My goal is making sure you feel heard and I want to assist you in accomplishing goals that we will set together. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) models to empower you. At the same time, I believe in being flexible and drawing from different modalities as needed. As a social worker, I view things from a person-in-environment approach: Helping you identify the different systems (family, culture, employment, etc.) in your life and the way that they impact you. I firmly believe in the stages of change and will meet you where you are at while slowly encouraging reflection. During sessions I will present questions and ideas that are meant to challenge the way you think in order to create genuine long-lasting change. I have the philosophy that mental health wellness is unique and attainable for everyone. 

A Bit of Personal Background

I identify as a heterosexual male. I am a 2nd generation American of Mexican and Vietnamese descent. I understand the pressures that immigrants face to acculturate while also struggling to maintain their own culture. I know from lived experience, what it is like to grow up in a shame based culture and the lack of empathy that can be faced when dealing with mental health struggles. 

Professional and Educational Background

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of California. My license is issued, regulated, and verifiable by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. 

I received my Bachelor's degree and Master’s degree in Social Work, with an emphasis in Mental Health, from San José State University. I have experience working with individuals, families, adolescents, and children from all walks of life. I have worked in a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools, homes, the James Boys Ranch (similar to Juvenile Hall), outpatient clinics, and in the community. I have worked with individuals dealing with life transitions, family stressors, legal issues, relationship issues, and many other struggles. I have also assisted individuals learn to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and bipolar disorder.