Gustavo Garcia-Rojas

My name is Gustavo and I look forward to getting know you and be part of this new, exciting, scary, and relieving chapter in your life.

My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel free to speak openly and honestly. My approach is wholehearted and sincere where you can expect a safe space while we explore issues and work together to gain greater clarity and resolve conflict areas. Whether it is me that you choose to work with or a different therapist, I am proud of you for taking this chance on yourself.

My specialties are life transitions, communication, depression, anxiety, grief, family challenges, and trauma. For nine years, I have been working on school sites working in the Bay Area, working with diverse populations ranging from Elementary up to College Students. I also have experience working with adults (male, female, and LGBTQ+).

Because being relieved of suffering is not enough, I intend to help/support you feel whole/complete and able to live. My goal is to help you identify those barriers in your way and work together to heal old wounds so you can rebuild feelings of self-worth and competency, opening the door to greater feelings of rejoice and personal success.

• Taking the first step toward therapy can feel intimidating, but your first session is entirely about creating a safe, comfortable space where you feel heard, respected, and understood. You do not need to have everything figured out before we meet; we will figure it out together.

Think of this initial appointment as a collaborative planning meeting rather than an intense emotional deep-dive. Here is exactly what we will cover during our first 50 to 60

minutes together:

1. 1. A Warm Welcome: We will start with a brief introduction to ease any nerves. It is completely normal to feel anxious, and whatever emotions you bring into the room are welcome.
2. 2. The Business & Privacy Logistics: We will briefly review standard housekeeping items. This includes consent paperwork, practice policies, and the legal boundaries of client confidentiality so you know your privacy is protected.
3. 3. Your Story & Current Challenges: I will ask open-ended questions about what prompted you to seek therapy right now. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable disclosing.
4. 4. Background & History: To understand you as a whole person, we will look briefly at your background. This may include your relationships, support systems, career, physical health, and any past experiences with therapy.
5. 5. Setting Your Goals: We will discuss what positive change looks like for you. Your goals do not need to be polished; we will refine them together over time to map out our next steps.