Luis Contreras

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience providing mental health services in behavioral health, crisis intervention, community mental health, and medical settings. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflict, and other emotional challenges.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I believe healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. I work alongside clients to build on their strengths, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

Throughout my career, I have provided therapy and clinical support in outpatient, community-based, hospital, college mental health, and correctional settings. In my private practice, I provide bilingual psychotherapy to individuals and families experiencing trauma, stress, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, and behavioral health issues. I also have extensive experience supporting foster, adoptive, and biological families caring for children impacted by trauma and attachment-related difficulties.

My professional background includes crisis stabilization, risk assessment, treatment planning, wraparound services, and multidisciplinary care coordination for youth and families with complex needs. I am also a part-time lecturer in the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, where I teach and mentor future social workers.

I am passionate about culturally responsive care, equity in mental health services, and helping clients feel empowered throughout their healing journey. I provide services in both English and Spanish and welcome clients from all backgrounds.

I believe therapy is most effective when it is grounded in trust, collaboration, and authenticity. My approach is warm, supportive, and client-centered, and I strive to create a safe space where clients feel heard, respected, and understood. I recognize that seeking support can feel vulnerable, and I work to build a therapeutic relationship that fosters emotional safety, personal insight, and meaningful growth.

My clinical approach is trauma-informed and strengths-based, meaning I focus not only on the challenges clients are facing, but also on the resilience and strengths they already possess. I work collaboratively with clients to identify goals, increase self-awareness, and develop practical tools that support emotional well-being and long-term change.

I integrate evidence-based approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family systems perspectives, and solution-focused interventions, tailoring treatment to meet each client’s unique needs and experiences. My background working with individuals, youth, and families across community mental health, crisis intervention, medical, and educational settings has strengthened my ability to support clients navigating complex life experiences, trauma, stress, relationship difficulties, and major transitions.

As a bilingual and bicultural clinician, I value culturally responsive care and understand the importance of honoring each client’s cultural identity, lived experiences, and personal values throughout the therapeutic process. My goal is to help clients feel empowered, connected, and supported as they move toward healing and greater emotional wellness.

Clients can expect a supportive, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment during the first session. We will spend time discussing your current concerns, personal history, goals for therapy, and any challenges you may be experiencing. My goal is to better understand your needs while helping you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. Together, we will begin identifying strengths, areas of focus, and a plan for moving forward in therapy.