Trauma Focused Therapists in Mountain View, CA

Hi there, I'm Vanessa! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and graduated with my Master of Social Work degree from California State University- Northridge in 2016. I've worked with various age ranges, but primarily my experience is with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I have been trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF- CBT), Families Overcoming Under Stress (FOCUS), Triple P (Positive Parenting), and Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP). I believe that everyone should have a safe place where they can work through their individual journey.

Seeking help can be scary and exciting, and it takes a lot of bravery and courage to take the initial step. You may be feeling like you are depressed and anxious due to your trauma. I aim to meet you where you are mentally and emotionally and help you grow, learn skills, and adapt to new changes. We can work together to identify your goals and needs and address the emotional and behavioral challenges you experience.

My focus is to help individuals and families heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship/family issues. As the therapeutic area of concern is introduced, we can begin to work together in developing empowerment of self as we set up together healthy and achievable goals. I aim to establish include compassion, good communication and trust. In our relationship then I will work alongside you to develop your own coping tools. My approach is a person-centered (positive type) direction to further your strengths and resilience which is tailored towards your specific goals and needs.

I am a psychotherapist in the Bay Area, California. I work with teens, adults, couples, and families. My top priority is to establish a trusting relationship with my clients to help them achieve meaningful and lasting change. My approach is evidence-based and solution-focused. The treatment I offer is tailored to each individual's and family's unique needs; your goals, potential, and challenges will be our primary focus. I enjoy working with individuals of all backgrounds.

Facing your past trauma can be nerve-wracking. You had hoped your pain would go away with time. You know that therapy would be helpful, but what kind of therapy and by whom? Living with trauma is already difficult and you are worried that you may be in more pain if you face it or chose the wrong therapist. You are not alone. Many people have been there, then reclaimed their life through trauma-focused therapy. I'd like you to reclaim yours too.

Change can happen quickly, whether you're looking to improve the quality of your relationship with yourself or others. One of the biggest challenges with therapy is finding someone you connect well with, and I'd love the opportunity to help you!

My volunteering at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Aids Project led me to a volunteer management career. I went on to work with volunteers in a medical center, humane society, and adult literacy program. I returned to college later in life to pursue a career in counseling. My desire to become a therapist developed over time as I gained more insight into my own life. A failed marriage landed me in therapy, where I was able to deal with my anger and emotional pain. After some years of antidepressant medication and therapy, I gained a new lease on life.

It can be really difficult to reach out for assistance when you’re not feeling your best. It’s also important to find someone that you connect and feel safe with. As a licensed MFT with 16 years of experience, I can offer you that space. My special interests include issues such as depression, anxiety, help with life transitions, conflict management and relationship difficulties, eating and body image disorders, parenting and. Co-parenting support, and couples work.

I can help you create a life that is full of joy, harmony and well-being. Whether your goal is to work on interpersonal relationships, find a right partner, heal from past wounds, recover from addictions or live with more integrity and authenticity, I will be happy to work with you. Every life experience no matter how painful it seems, holds some meaning, which if we understand, can help bring a shift in both inner and outer life. In our work together we will look at what is blocking you from achieving the quality of life and relationships that you want.

You may have found yourself feeling different or off. These feelings may include being worried, anxious, uneasy or sad, unmotivated, hopeless. These issues may be impacting your overall mood, relationships, or other aspects of your life socially and/or professionally. You've made it to this page because you're in a place where you want to take action and make a change but want support along the way. My role is to use my years of experience to help you achieve your personal goals. Goals that make sense for your lifestyle and to offer coping skills that you can use within and in between sessions.

Experiences can often bring about change which can be uncomfortable, confusing, and difficult to conceptualize for ourselves and for others. Together, we can navigate such experiences in a safe environment. From my mixed-race cultural background and education abroad, I have found enjoyment in working with people navigating changes that intersect with a multitude of cultural and environmental factors. I have worked with diverse client populations with a variety of concerns. I welcome individuals, relationships, and families of any variety of identities and structures in working together to help navigate the next steps of your lives.

LIfe is filled with challenges, in our own emotional experiences, in finding a life direction, in relationships with others. With the right guidance and support, we can grow through the experience and come out stronger.

With over 10 years of clinical work experience in the mental health field, my work is grounded in the belief that we are all capable of having meaningful and satisfying lives. Whether you are struggling with a relationship conflict, grieving a significant loss, experiencing a lack of joy, or perhaps a career change, I offer support and guidance to work through feelings of confusion, self-doubt, or fear that often accompany these challenges. I look forward to the possibility of working with you and learning more about your needs and collaborating with you on your journey of discovery and growth.

I believe that all clients have the resources within them to resolve the emotional and social challenges they are presented with in life. I work with individuals and couples, as well as children and adolescents on a range of problems. Couples counseling, separation and divorce, blended and extended family issues, parenting, behavioral problems in children and teenagers, multi-cultural issues, depression, and domestic violence are areas of particular interest for me. I grew up in India and have been in the US since 1981. I am intimately familiar with the two cultures.

Wellness: it is unique to each and every one of us. What works for you may not work for the next person. As a therapist, it is extremely important for me to understand what you are dealing with, from your own perspective. I take a very collaborative approach and do my best to be as thorough as possible when exploring the challenges you are facing. I provide feedback and tools to assist you in developing insight. Regardless of what you may be dealing with, there is an opportunity to overcome, and I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most dynamic factor to achieving long lasting change.

Past leadership positions at Bay Area mental health programs have informed my work as a therapist. I have seen for some that balancing a career or education with everyday life can be overwhelming and isolating if one works endlessly while sacrificing self-care. You may find it challenging to set boundaries. You may feel like you are "being othered" by those who do not understand you. You may find it difficult to open your heart to family or friends when education, career, and relationships hold specific meanings for you. My passion as a therapist is to help people thrive in the ever-changing cultures of home, work, or academic life.

Do you feel misunderstood and confused about who you are? Or is your child struggling but you're uncertain of how to support them through their various life transitions? Unspoken, unprocessed, and negative thoughts can become heavy to carry. We live in a busy, noisy, and messy world and it can feel overwhelming to sort through and untangle the unwanted thoughts in our minds.

I begin therapy by offering a warm and supportive environment in which you feel safe and understood. Once that has been established, we will set clear goals and work towards meeting them one by one. My ultimate goal is to empower you with effective, personalized tools that will set you on the path towards healing and recovery. I have a variety of tools that can help you recover from depression, trauma, anxiety, OCD, various habits and addictions, and relationship problems. I provide therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families.