LGBT therapists in Lake Forest, CA

I am an LMFT with more than 15 years of experience in trauma, relationships, and family systems.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or past experiences? Moving forward can feel difficult when emotional pain, relationship struggles, or life stress leave you feeling trapped or uncertain.You do not have to face these challenges alone. I provide a compassionate, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where we can work together to help you heal, grow, and regain confidence. I believe your worth is not defined by your past or your struggles. Together, we will explore practical tools and strategies to help you create meaningful change and move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

I earned my Master of Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My professional journey began in social services and the Department of Mental Health, and I later worked with community mental health agencies supporting people from many different backgrounds. These experiences strengthened my commitment to helping individuals feel supported and understood while navigating life’s challenges.

I have provided therapy to clients of all ages, both individually and within families, and I now focus primarily on adults who want to create meaningful change in their lives. In addition, I bring experience working with individuals with autism and ADHD diagnoses, offering strategies that highlight their strengths, improve daily functioning, and foster growth.

My approach is centered on guiding clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, and overwhelming stress, with the goal of building greater stability, confidence, and connection. I believe therapy should be a safe, collaborative space where progress feels achievable and each step brings clients closer to the life they want to live.

I veiw the path of a human life span, as each of us interact and peerceives the environment around us in our own unique way. My goal is to help clients look at their options, evaluate choices towarda healthier outcome. My work has involved in helping clients toward building better communication between couples, family members, and individual relationships. It is my belief that counseling / psychotherapy can provide a safe place where personal challenges can be processed, and finding choices toward enhancing the quality of life and improve relationships.

I am a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience providing specialized, confidential telehealth. My practice is built to support ambitious individuals—including busy professionals and dedicated college students—navigating high-pressure environments, life transitions, and relationship challenges.

Because your schedule is already packed with work or demanding coursework, I offer dedicated session times outside standard hours, including early mornings and weekends. Whether you are dealing with academic/professional burnout, family-of-origin issues, or deep emotional blocks, I provide a warm, inclusive space to unburden those patterns. I practice fluidly in English, Spanish, and Spanglish, honoring your unique cultural or bicultural lived experience.

I subscribe to cognitive behavioral therapy, emphasizing the rational behavioral therapy modality. I hold a doctorate (EdD) in counseling and educational psychology from the University of San Francisco, where I also earned my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I earned a Master's in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union. I have been practicing since 1987 and am a seasoned therapist.

I am a Latina EMDR therapist who uses compassion to guide my patients through healing areas in their lives where they are feeling stuck. My patients are often working through trauma, grief, or unhelpful beliefs about self, others, or the world that can manifest into anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflicts, and/or PTSD. I also offer Individual and Group EMDR Consultations to clinicians looking to become Certified in EMDR Therapy. Se habla español.