LGBT therapists in Chico, CA

I’m warm and real, but I’ll also call you out when I see you getting in your own way. I believe emotions carry important information, and the goal isn’t to get rid of them. It’s to learn how to sit with them and respond in a new way. My background includes community mental health, school settings, PHP, IOP, short-term residential, and long-term transitional care, which has shaped a direct and collaborative style that’s all about helping you do something differently.

I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), working in private practice as a Psychotherapist. I live in Los Angeles, and work in-person or hybrid, with adults, teens, couples and the aging population. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, work stress/dissatisfaction, career goals, sleep disorders, substance use, trauma (ptsd/complex/acute), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD/OCPD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD). In addition I deal with grief, isolation, and breaking creative blocks.

Are you struggling to have harmony in your relationships? Does having ease in your life seem like a far-fetched dream? Are you feeling overwhelmed with the state of the world and all you have to do? Welcome, you're in the right place! I have been in your shoes and the first (or twenty) step is always the hardest. As someone who has learned to balance multiple cultures, I know what it can feel like to straddle various parts of your identity. I have first hand experienced feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, and at a complete loss for how to navigate the intensity of my emotions. This has informed my practice and work with clients where I strongly believe that our emotions guide us to understanding ourselves in a new light. Asking for help can be difficult, especially in a culture that values productivity over personality.

I work with teens, adults, and couples. I believe that true wellness comes from integrating all aspects of ourselves—spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and creative. As a California-certified sexual assault counselor, fully trained in EMDR and Brainspotting, I provide trauma-informed care with empathy and expertise. I also specialize in psychedelic therapy preparation and integration, guiding clients through their profound journeys with care and intention.

I completed my Master's in Counseling Psychology at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. I have over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field varying from community youth work, psychiatric inpatient nursing, and counseling. I became licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist in April 2023, accruing over 4 years of experience providing psychotherapy to clients in the LGBTQ and immigrant communities navigating mood, identity, and relationships.

I work with couples, families, and adults navigating life transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, fertility challenges, PTSD, bipolar disorder, sexual identity exploration, intimacy concerns, and family conflict. Many of my clients are high-achieving individuals who look “fine” on the outside but feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or disconnected internally.

My style is warm, relational, and deeply attuned — but also strategic and structured. I am direct in a gentle way. I will validate you, and I will challenge you. I hold unconditional positive regard for every client while helping you become the person you truly want to be.

I believe everyone deserves a space where they can be fully seen, heard, and supported. My work is rooted in a holistic and culturally sensitive approach, honoring the many layers that shape who we are. Together, we work not just on what hurts, but on nurturing the parts of you that inspire growth, resilience, and joy.

Hi!

I’m Mitzy Ruelas (she/her/ella), a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #158894) based in San Diego, offering online therapy to adults throughout California. I’m so glad you’re here—choosing to care for yourself is a meaningful and courageous step.

I commonly support clients experiencing anxiety, attachment and inner child wounds, relationship challenges, depression, low self-esteem, codependency, emotional overwhelm, and avoidance. I specialize in intergenerational trauma, Latinx/e therapy, and I am training in Brainspotting (a trauma-informed, neurobiological based therapy).