MY PERSPECTIVE
Taking risks is hard.
You’ll never find a therapist out there who has not gone through therapy themselves. It’s required. Because of my own experience going to therapy, I continually think about your experience in therapy with me.
I have had therapists with whom I felt connected and who really “got me.” I have also had the opposite, where I constantly felt like I needed to explain myself, continually feeling misunderstood or judged. That’s why I seriously consider what made the good experiences good and the bad ones bad.
The most important thing to me is that you have a good experience and walk away feeling understood – even after the very first meeting. Whether it’s your first experience or your tenth experience in therapy, it doesn’t matter. It’s about you. And that’s how I approach therapy.
Judgment-Free Zone
I don’t like labels, and I don’t like judgments. I want a therapist who is going to listen to my “side,” so to speak, and someone who is going to take the time to understand me. SO, I assume that is what you would want.
You don’t need extra judgment. You’ve been judging yourself long enough, right? It’s not about someone telling you what else is “wrong” with you; it’s about exploring what is keeping you from getting what you truly want out of life. And that is my approach; I believe in you.
My first goal is to build enough rapport with you that you feel safe and free to explore your difficulties. I hope that you will walk into my office and immediately experience a warm and relaxing environment where you can talk about anything.
What should you expect in my first session with you?
You might come in and not have a clue where to start, and that’s okay because we start where you are today.
You might also come in feeling burdened that you must get certain things off your chest, and I will be there to help you navigate those difficult emotions or thoughts.
I am not there to “analyze” you like some Freudian master. Rather, I am there to come alongside. I don’t push or confront, but I do express what I am seeing and what I am hearing. Down the line, I will challenge respectfully any thoughts or behaviors that are roadblocks to getting your needs met and your life back on track.
Something you can always expect from me is that I am accessible, responsive, and engaged. You can expect me to participate and give feedback.
Call now for a free 30-minute consultation (562) 213-5318.
About Me
Experience is the best teacher.
When I first went to therapy, I was 20 years old. I was in the process of dealing with some depression primarily due to my sexuality. I came from a very “born again” background which required me to suppress or, in some cases, correct my “homosexual tendencies,” as they put it back then.
This experience was horrifying. I found myself going into a deeper depression.
It wasn’t until later that I found a therapist who allowed me to be who I am – who allowed me to explore who I am without judgment. This allowed me to break free from the depression and suppression of who I truly was. Over time, I was able to reconcile my sexuality and spirituality, which for me seemed impossible at the time.
Depression is a difficult thing to overcome, and the anxiety that goes along with it seemed insurmountable. But over time, I found a sense of healing and relief through the guidance of some important people in my life, including my therapist.
As a result of my experiences, I decided to go back to school later in life and get my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy for two reasons. Firstly, I felt a desire to help people who are going through the depression and anxiety that I had gone through. Secondly, I believe that every therapist has a responsibility to become more self aware in order to be more effective as a therapist. My heart led me to this career; it has been a part of me since I was a child.
I wanted to help those who might otherwise find the wrong therapist, one who made them feel judged or confused about themselves. As a result of all this lived experience and education, I have in-depth understanding and knowledge about how to help you get what you want out of life, develop healthy relationships, and feel good about who you are.
Life Outside of Work
I love family! I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children. We enjoy playing board games, going for bike rides, laughing, playing charades, and cheering at sporting events, to name just a few of our favorite things.
I love the beach; it is my favorite natural setting – bar none. The soothing sounds of the waves and the beauty that each one is unique and different inspire me. I find peace and tranquility there. Well, I also like to ride the waves, but that’s a different thing altogether.
When I travel, I like to find places that are off the beaten path so that I can get a feel for the culture of the place I am visiting. We spend less time in resorts and more time in bed and breakfasts among the locals. I am just now getting back into playing the guitar, which is a great source of relaxation for me and am brushing up on my Spanish.