Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Laguna Hills, CA

Hello,

I’m Ermelinda, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have over 10+ years of experience in providing therapy to adults, children, and adolescents. Do you feel stuck, tired, and not being able to function in your daily life? Are you struggling to balance work, relationships, and life? Many times, we experience loss, grief, anxiety, stress, and depression. I look forward to helping you in your journey to healing. Life is hard and sometimes all you need is just a push.

I can understand first-hand how difficult it can be to reach out for help for the first time. I believe in the importance of "practicing what you preach" and I have been the client in the room who needs extra support. I invite you to give yourself a chance, try something new, and gain a healthy perspective on how to address complicated moments in your life.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 9 years of experience in mental health care as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse. I graduated with honors and am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan. My clinical experience includes working with patients experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and severe mental illness in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

You may be seeking support in moving toward a more preferred version of yourself, your life, and your relationships. You may be questioning important facets of your identity, or wondering how to locate and uproot the seeds of painful and complicated emotions. Perhaps you are curious about navigating a different type of relational structure with your loved ones, or you may be feeling stuck with a particular challenge in the way you connect to others. My role as a therapist is to provide support and facilitate insight that will allow you to work toward your personal goals.

I have been described as a “down to earth” and “real” therapist. I like to believe these are accurate descriptors. I bring a plethora of experience to my therapy room; however, I recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the client being the expert on their life. I provide a safe environment which allows my clients to be transparent without judgment. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and it is definitely a risk. We need to remember there is no growth without risk!

Struggling with anxious thoughts or self-doubt? I work with young adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, trauma, and self-esteem challenges. Together, we’ll build coping skills and create a personalized plan for growth that feels empowering and achievable.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. I help clients navigate anxiety, self-doubt, and life changes with curiosity and compassion. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected—to yourself and the life you want to create.

My journey into mental health began with a deep interest in the intersection of human behavior and emotional resilience.

I enjoy working with adolescents and adults going through life transitions and experiencing trauma. My current practice includes individual treatment helping adults with anxiety and depression, self-esteem/confidence, grief, trauma and life transitions! Finding a therapist with whom you connect with is important.

Over the past 14 years, I have worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, community clinics and public school settings. These experiences have shaped my belief that therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" process, but rather a collaborative partnership built on trust and evidence-based strategies!

I hold a Master of Social Work from California State Long Beach as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University..

Welcome!

As a licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), I believe in prioritizing out mental health as a way to live a happy and balance life. Reaching out for help can be one of the hardest things a person can do, great job on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 10 years, but in the field for 20 plus years. In the last 6 years I have shifted my main focus to adults 18 plus who are struggling with trauma and substance use.