Alanna Villanueva LCSW

The first session with me is a lot of "tell me more about that," because I need to get to know what's going on and how I can help. If it is your first time in therapy, we will take a moment to acknowledge that process and I can guide our discussion more. I will encourage you to ask the questions and be honest if I am a good fit for you, and if I am not that is ok and I will support you in finding more of what you do need. In the following session, we'll make a game plan, more specific about goals and action steps, along with how we're going to get there. Then after we have been working together for a couple of months, we will check in about progress, what is working, going well, and what needs to change for improved progress.

I am going to meet you where you are first and foremost. While doing that, we will practice a strengths-based approach that is client-centered and identifies the strengths within ourselves. Then regarding behaviors, we will look into health behavior change models and stages of change. We will also look at systems theory, how the systems around you affect who you are and how you behave. An important modality is narrative therapy which is about how you see your story and how it can change moving forward. Additionally, with clients that have challenges with their relationship with food, we will explore principles of intuitive eating and honoring your body. With clients that are experiencing struggles with their faith, we can incorporate the Bible and prayer into our work together.

• California, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW105873