Israel Gonzalez Cruz

I’m Israel González Cruz, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with seven years of experience working with adults, couples, and families. I provide therapy in both English and Spanish and have extensive experience working with the Latin American community.

Clients often come to me when they are feeling overwhelmed, experiencing anxiety or stress, navigating relationship or family difficulties, or finding themselves stuck in patterns that are no longer working for them. I understand how family dynamics, cultural expectations, and unspoken pressures can influence both emotional well-being and relationships.

My style is warm, collaborative, and practical. I want clients to feel comfortable being themselves in therapy while also having a clear sense that we are working toward something meaningful. Together, we identify patterns, strengthen coping and communication skills, and work toward changes that can carry into everyday life.

My approach is active, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s needs. I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and emotionally focused principles to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.

I believe insight is most helpful when it leads to meaningful action. In sessions, we may explore recurring patterns, challenge thoughts that contribute to distress, strengthen communication, and develop practical strategies that clients can use in everyday situations.

I am supportive while also being willing to ask focused questions and gently challenge patterns when helpful. Therapy is a collaborative process, and my goal is to help clients develop greater understanding, confidence, and skills they can continue using beyond our sessions.

Clients can expect a welcoming and collaborative first session focused on understanding what brings them to therapy and what they hope to change or improve. I will ask questions to learn about their current concerns, relevant background, relationships, and the patterns that may be contributing to what they are experiencing.

There is no expectation to have everything figured out or to share everything at once. I guide the conversation while giving clients space to speak openly and at their own pace. This first meeting is also an opportunity for us to begin determining whether my approach feels like a good fit for their needs.

By the end of the session, we will begin identifying goals and a direction for therapy, so clients leave with a clearer understanding of what we can work on together.