Grecia Alfaro Ruiz

I'm Grecia Alfaro Ruiz, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I earned my Master’s in Social Work from San José State University (SJSU) and my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Cal Poly Humboldt. I spent much of my childhood and adolescence growing up in Los Angeles, and living in different regions of California has shaped my appreciation for the diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences that influence how people navigate the world. These experiences inform my approach to therapy and my commitment to providing culturally responsive and compassionate care. My goal as a therapist is to create a collaborative and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to work toward meaningful growth and healing.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I believe that each person brings unique strengths, life experiences, and resilience into the therapeutic space, and my role is to support clients in building insight, developing coping strategies, and moving toward the changes they want to see in their lives.

I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches depending on each client’s needs. My clinical training includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based therapies. These approaches allow me to support clients in processing difficult experiences, understanding patterns in their thoughts and emotions, and building practical skills to navigate life’s challenges.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a comfortable and supportive therapeutic relationship. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, heard, and respected.

During this session, we will talk about what brought you to therapy, any challenges you may currently be facing, and what you hope to gain from the process. I may ask questions about different areas of your life, including emotional wellbeing, relationships, and past experiences, to help me better understand your needs. You are always welcome to share at a pace that feels comfortable for you—there is no expectation to discuss everything right away.

Together, we will begin identifying goals for therapy and discuss what approaches might best support your needs. My intention is for you to leave the session feeling understood and with a clearer sense of how we can work together moving forward.