Andrea Gomar Padilla

Hola! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist originally from Costa Rica, specializing in early childhood mental health, trauma, attachment, and parent-child relationships. I have extensive experience working with young children, caregivers, and families in both community mental health and early childhood settings. My work is grounded in the belief that lasting change happens when we strengthen the relationships that matter most in a child's life.

Parenting can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming when your child is struggling with big emotions, challenging behaviors, anxiety, or the effects of difficult life experiences. Many of the families I work with come to therapy feeling exhausted, worried, and unsure of how to help their child. My goal is to provide a supportive space where both children and caregivers feel understood, empowered, and equipped with tools to create meaningful change.

I use evidence-based approaches including PC-CARE, attachment-based therapy, trauma-informed care, family therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Rather than focusing only on symptoms or behaviors, I work collaboratively with families to understand the underlying needs driving those challenges and to build stronger emotional connection, regulation, and resilience.

I am particularly passionate about supporting young children and their caregivers who are navigating anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioral challenges, parenting stress, family transitions, and attachment concerns. Together, we work toward creating stronger relationships, greater confidence, and a more connected family life.

Families often describe me as warm, engaged, empathetic, and easy to talk to. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where children feel safe to express themselves and caregivers feel supported rather than judged. As a bilingual therapist, I also bring cultural sensitivity and an appreciation for the unique experiences that shape each family.