Approach to Therapy

In my practice I work with adolescents, adults, couples and families. I provide services in English and Spanish. I serve a diverse clientele including members of minority communities like BIPOC and LGBTQ. I have worked with issues of acculturation and racial trauma. I also work with clients facing anxiety, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and imposter syndrome. I have experience helping survivors of sexual and physical abuse. I also serve survivors of domestic violence, trauma, relational abuse, and narcissistic abuse. Additionally, I work with clients struggling with depression, mood disorders, and personality disorders. I believe in the healing power of relationships and this relational focus shows in my work. I strive to connect with the person or the internal aspects within a person that have been shamed, neglected, and rejected by the rest of the world. I utilize an Existential-Humanistic approach in my work with clients.

I started my journey in mental health first as a client and now as a therapist. I know first-hand how hard it can be to find a therapist that is right for you. Chances are that if you go on ten different websites, you would get ten different answers as to what a therapist should be. But what does the science tell us? Think about the worst moments of your life. Really feel what you felt in those moments. Ask yourself what did you need. Was there a question or intervention that anybody could have done to save you from the pain, or shield you from the abuse? Was there a question or intervention that would have protected you from the indifference of the people you loved? Was there a question or intervention that could bring back those you’ve lost, and heal those you’ve hurt? Would I be correct in saying that perhaps in the worst moments of your life, what was really needed was to know that regardless of what happened, there would be someone there for you. Someone who would not vanish like a shadow in the dark. Someone who cared and who would understand. Someone who wouldn’t judge you the moment you revealed how scared, how vulnerable and how hurt you really were.

Science confirms this seemingly simple fact. In study after study, a major factor in the success of psychotherapy, is not what questions your therapist asks or what interventions they use. One of the principal factors in the success of therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. To date Existential-Humanism is one of a few remaining schools of psychotherapy that still believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship. As an Existential-Humanistic therapist my goal is to create a deep, empathic, authentic and living connection between you the client and myself. Ultimately, it is this relationship that facilitates the client’s process and empowers the client to create a meaningful life, from the inside out. Many times, we invest of ourselves into things that take from us while giving nothing in return, consider how different your life would be if you began investing in yourself.

With Regards,

—Ernesto.

Get in touch

I know first-hand how hard it can be to find a therapist that is right for you. If you are interested in services or have questions regarding services and my approach to therapy feel free to contact me. Your inquiries are always welcome.

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Psychotherapist