Vanessa Guevara

The strength and courage it takes to be able to share our experiences is a beautiful and sacred part of being human. My passion is to help individuals express, embrace, and empower their true, whole selves. Through trauma work, we have the opportunity to break free from shame, guilt, fear, and struggle. This helps us reclaim our power and build resilience. This doesn't justify the pain or trauma, but I wholeheartedly believe that the root of our pain is also the source of where our healing begins.

My approach is holistic and encouraging. As a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP), and Certified Mental Health Nutrition Specialist (CMHNS), I am devoted to therapy that explores how trauma shapes the nervous system and influences our mindset, beliefs, and emotional responses. Through continued education in neuroscience and integrative health, I can help you understand the elements of the mind, body, and self. This way, we learn about the unique makeup of your whole self and how these elements manifest in your life. With nearly a decade of experience in the mental health field, I have supported individuals navigating complex trauma, including:

• chronic stress, insomnia, and health concerns
• Neurodiversity including head injuries, TBI, ADHD, ADD, and ASD
• burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance
• emotional, physical, and sexual abuse
• codependency and attachment trauma
• religious, cultural, and generational trauma
• grief, loss, and bereavement

To master the mind, I use EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Polyvagal, and TF-CBT to target trauma by reprocessing memories and beliefs that keep us stuck in survival mode (chronic stress, anxiety, depressed mood, sleep issues). This helps rewire the brain, improve mindfulness, and regulate the nervous system.

To honor the body, I draw from Somatic Therapy and Nutritional Psychology (NP). When unprocessed trauma and emotions are stored in the body, it can present as chronic pain, aches, and tense muscles. Somatic work releases trapped trauma and emotions to restore the nervous system and support mind-body connection. Ever get that "gut" or "instinct" feeling? That is the intuitive and brilliant design of the gut-brain relationship, which is often overlooked. NP recognizes the intricate connection on how the food we eat can impact our gut and brain health, including the nervous system.

To awaken the self (soul), my eclectic approach includes humanistic, psychodynamic, and strength-based interventions by combining shadow work, inner child healing, and self-exploration. Did you know the subconscious mind relies on the nervous system? Think of it this way, the subconscious mind (habits, feelings, beliefs) is the “software” and the nervous system (survival mode, body sensations, emotional regulation) is the “hardware” that shapes our reality. With my integrative style, we can identify core beliefs, develop a strong sense of self, and enhance resilience. After all, knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom (Aristotle) and until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate (Jung).

In our first session, we do an intake where we will focus on gathering information based on your background, health, and history. Most importantly, we will explore what your goals and expectations for treatment are, as well as any questions or concerns you have about the process. I develop tailored treatment plans based on your specific individual needs, goals, and aspirations. This way, I can draw from the interests and values you have. This intake process can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.