My Approach

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned or we feel like something is missing. I’ll help you figure it out. My approach to therapy is one of creating an empathic and non-judgmental space where I actively collaborate with you to help you better understand yourself.

What does therapy with me look like? I’ll actively listen to your story, ask questions, and we will have a conversation. We’ll explore your strengths, what’s working and what’s not, so that we can identify challenges and chart a way forward together. My goal is to help you identify what is important to you, what gets in the way, and understand how to engage in committed actions to help support you living a meaningful life.

In my opinion therapy is NOT one-size-fits-all. If therapy doesn’t feel genuine or resonate with you, it’s not going to be effective. Although I am versed in various treatments and interventions, I tailor your treatment to what is going to suit your needs best. I believe that regardless of whatever style of therapy is used, it is a powerful tool for healing and improving our lives.

While I primarily practice using Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I also integrate and draw from other theoretical frameworks including strength-based approaches, brief therapy approaches, art therapy interventions, mindfulness interventions and Internal Family Systems (IFS) interventions.

"When you come to therapy, I don’t need you to be a certain way. I just need you to be you.
I’ll meet you where you’re at and we’ll go from there."
- Brian

About Me

Why hello there, and thanks for stopping by. Although my official journey as a mental health provider started in 2019, I have roots in facilitating support groups for people experiencing trauma dating back to 2014. My life has taken me through different careers and different parts of the world, but I am fortunate to have been exposed to many different people and cultures. Regardless of where I’ve been I’ve always valued those around me and sought to understand them.

Training & Education

I earned my Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Sacramento, CA, graduating in 2023. I have a passion for helping adults, high performing individuals, and veterans. As a Latinx military veteran my non-traditional journey to psychology has afforded me unique experiences and opportunities that are reflected in my creative approaches to therapy and dedication to my clients.

I’ve been providing psychological services since 2020 and my training includes providing therapy to adults, adolescents, and children in both private practice and academic settings. In 2022, I moved on to a university counseling center where I trained as a doctoral intern and postdoctoral fellow before being hired on as a staff psychologist in 2024. As I have been working with undergraduate and graduate students for several years, I have been able to watch many of my clients move onto become successful professionals in their fields including lawyers, medical providers, pharmacists, first responders, veterans, business owners, scientists, and therapists. If you work in a high-stress professional career, I would love to connect with you to learn how to build YOUR unique recipe for success.

Expertise

In addition to treating many of the common mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, etc.),

I have experience treating:

Life or professional job stressors, work-life balance, burnout
Grief
Imposter Syndrome
Perfectionism
ADHD
Social/performance Anxiety
Trauma
Relationship challenges

My Therapeutic Approaches

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

An evidence-based therapy that blends effective behavioral interventions with experiential interventions, aimed at increasing psychological flexibility. Research has shown that trying to avoid experiences has been associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, lower quality of life, and exacerbation of PTSD symptoms. This style of treatment works with clients to accept their thinking and emotional experience rather than fighting or fleeing from them. With a greater emphasis on mindfulness, ACT teaches us to pursue a meaningful life in spite of unpleasant or painful experiences. Through understanding our values and developing acceptance of matters outside our control, we can learn to engage in committed action towards living a meaningful life.

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

-Winston Churchill

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A popular, evidence based, structured, goal oriented therapy, that is rooted in the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors/actions are connected and influenced by each other. Common techniques include identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs, learning coping skills, and modifying behaviors/actions. This style of treatment focuses on the present and requires active collaboration between the client and therapist. CBT has been shown to be a versatile treatment with great adaptability for effective use with a wide range of mental health challenges. Therapy can be utilized in both short term and long term use and is a stellar option for clients with motivation for change.

"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality."

-Seneca

Solution- Focused Therapy

A brief therapy model that focuses on the here and now. You come in with a problem and we focus on solutions, not the problem. Often strength based focused, this treatment is a collaborative approach that highlights what is within your capacity and control. This style of therapy tracks improvement, is typically time limited, and is goal oriented. This modality is great for stress management, relationship problems, anxiety, problems in school/work, and is a great fit for people looking for interactive, practical treatment. It should be noted this style of treatment is not appropriate for deep rooted trauma, long term depression, deep exploration of emotions, and other complex mental health conditions.

"Everything is figureoutable."

- Marie Forleo

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

"Healing means accepting all parts of ourselves."

-Louise Hay

An evidence based, non-pathologizing psychotherapy that maintains the premise that the mind is composed of multiple sub-personalities called “parts.” Each part has their own thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and perspectives of life events. IFS theory believes parts can be developed out of difficult experiences as children. Through IFS we can engage with our parts, understand our relation to them, learn their roles they have taken up to protect us, and uncover and resolve pains from traumatic experiences. We do not try to get rid of our parts, rather we seek to better understand ourselves and let our true Self heal from within.

My Approach

"When you come to therapy, I don’t need you to be a certain way. I just need you to be you. I’ll meet you where you’re at and we’ll go from there." - Brian

About Me

My Therapeutic Approaches

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

"When you come to therapy, I don’t need you to be a certain way. I just need you to be you.
I’ll meet you where you’re at and we’ll go from there."
- Brian