I specialize in working with individuals recovering from relationship trauma, whether from romantic relationships or childhood experiences. A holistic approach recognizes that emotional and relational well-being is shaped by interconnected areas of your life, your physical health, relationships, work, spirituality, family dynamics, and financial stability as an integrated whole. Drawing on focused expertise in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, social anxiety, insomnia and sleep issues, ADHD, OCD, and anger management, this work helps clients understand the patterns these experiences create and build practical tools for lasting healing. Trauma and unmanaged mental health symptoms often lead to substance use and addictions as individuals attempt to self-regulate and cope with overwhelming emotional pain.

If you're cycling through relationships that feel familiar but destructive, struggling with sleep, wrestling with anxiety that won't respond to medication alone, dealing with anger that feels out of control, or reaching for substances to quiet overwhelming feelings, you're not broken. Your nervous system and behavioral patterns developed as intelligent adaptations to what you've experienced.

As a clinician trained in EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, trauma treatment becomes active rather than talk-based, helping your brain process traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the same emotional and physical reactions.  As a CAMS-II Certified Anger Management Specialist, the focus is on understanding the root of angry responses and developing practical skills to interrupt reactive patterns before they damage your relationships. With ACC credentials in addiction counseling, the work addresses how addictive patterns developed as coping mechanisms and how to target root causes rather than just managing symptoms. These active methods create real shifts in how your brain and body respond to triggers.

Together, we map out exactly why your nervous system responds the way it does, how old wounds get replayed in new relationships, and what specific skills actually interrupt the cycle. We explore the whole person rather than just the symptoms, working to understand the experiences and strengths that shape your life. We address trauma, anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger, and addictions not as isolated problems, but as interconnected pieces of your story.

The goal is to help you strengthen self-awareness, rebuild trust in yourself, build resilience, improve relationships, process difficult experiences, and reconnect with your authentic self so you can move forward with greater confidence, purpose, and hope.

Life can look perfectly fine from the outside while feeling overwhelming on the inside. You may be constantly overthinking, emotionally exhausted, questioning yourself, or caught in patterns that leave you feeling stuck. Maybe anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship struggles, or difficult life experiences have made it harder to feel like yourself. Whatever brought you here, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Therapy is a place where you'll be heard, understood, and challenged in ways that support meaningful growth. Together, we'll make sense of what's been keeping you stuck, discover what matters most to you, and create a path forward that feels authentic to the life you want to build. If you already know your goals, we'll work toward them. If you're not sure where to begin, we'll figure that out together. My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while integrating other evidence-based approaches to meet your unique needs.

I don't believe you need to become someone else to build a better life. More often, the work is about removing the barriers that have kept you from becoming the person you've always been capable of being. Over time, many clients find they feel calmer, more confident, less controlled by anxiety or past experiences, and more trusting of themselves. They build healthier relationships, set stronger boundaries, and move through life with greater clarity, resilience, and purpose. My hope is that therapy becomes not just a place to process what's difficult, but a place where lasting change begins.

Feeling safe with others is probably the most critical aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives." - Bessel Van Der Kolk.  

I believe that we all deserve relationships that we feel emotionally safety within. Relationships where we can get in touch with our emotions and feel truly felt by another person. I believe in the power of sharing our stories and being seen and "feeling with" another human being can be an incredibly healing experience. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's in Social Work(SWC). 

As a therapist, I strive to provide others with outside insight, helpful information, and empathy to help you normalize your struggles. I bring good listening skills, and a little gentle humor to each session. My practice is rooted in attachment theory and pulls on IFS and Narrative work.  I am happy to work with clients who have a variety of challenges including- relationships, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and LGBTQ support! 

"Recovery can only take place within the context of relationships; it cannot occur within isolation." -Judith Herman

Hi! My name is Clarissa, and I specialize in working with people who feel emotionally burnt out and are struggling to stay afloat. Life can get really overwhelming, and sometimes we need someone who will listen, ask thoughtful questions, and help us untangle everything that's been on our minds. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, past trauma, or simply feeling stuck, we'll work together to understand what you're going through and figure out what to do next.

I think that therapy works best when it's a partnership. Instead of me telling you what your life should look like, we will explore what feels right for you and go at your pace. I work with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds and offer therapy in both English and Spanish. Whether this is your first experience with therapy or you've been in counseling before, you're welcome here. I hope to hear and see you for who you are. 

Si prefiere hablar en español, será un gusto acompañarle en este proceso.