Rene Gallardo Acosta

I’m Rene Gallardo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma therapist specializing in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing. I work primarily with men, high-achieving professionals, and individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, and relationship challenges. Much of my work focuses on helping clients understand how their nervous system and early life experiences continue to shape their reactions, relationships, and sense of self today.

As a Latino therapist and son of immigrants, I understand the silent pressure to be strong, responsible, and successful — often at the cost of slowing down or tending to your own emotional needs. My approach is grounded, direct, and compassionate. I won’t judge your coping strategies — we’ll work to understand them and gently shift what no longer serves you.

I integrate EMDR, somatic therapy, and parts work to help you heal at the root — not just manage symptoms. In our work together, you can expect a space that feels steady, culturally aware, and honest. My goal is to help you build emotional capacity, confidence, and the ability to stay present and connected — to yourself and the people who matter most.

If you’ve been carrying things alone for a long time, therapy doesn’t have to feel that way

I specialize in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, which means we work not only through conversation, but also through the body. Trauma and chronic stress live in the nervous system. When your system has been in survival mode for a long time, it can show up as anxiety, anger, overworking, shutdown, people-pleasing, or difficulty slowing down. My work helps you understand and regulate those patterns at the root.

My style is steady, direct, and compassionate. I’ll hold space for vulnerability, but I’ll also gently challenge patterns that keep you stuck. Especially with men, high achievers, and first-generation clients, I understand the pressure to be strong and self-reliant. Therapy with me is not about taking that strength away — it’s about expanding it so you can feel more grounded, connected, and emotionally present.

Ultimately, my goal is to help you build emotional capacity, self-trust, and the ability to respond rather than react.

In our first session, you can expect a calm, structured, and collaborative space. My goal isn’t to “analyze” you, it’s to understand what’s been weighing on you and how your system has learned to cope with it.

We’ll talk about what brings you in, but we’ll also slow down enough to notice how stress, anxiety, anger, or shutdown show up in your body and relationships. I pay attention to patterns — not just symptoms — so we can begin identifying what’s underneath the surface.

You don’t need to have the right words or a perfect explanation. I’ll help guide the conversation in a way that feels safe and manageable. We’ll clarify your goals, whether that’s improving relationships, reducing anxiety, processing trauma, or feeling more grounded and in control.

Most importantly, I aim to create an environment that feels steady, culturally aware, and nonjudgmental. You don’t have to perform, impress, or “have it together” in our work. The first session is about building trust, understanding your story, and beginning to map a path forward that fits you.