MarcoAntonio Ramirez LMFT

The first session is highly structured. There are many items to complete and limited time. Also, we are meeting to see if we will be a good match. I can go into more detail if this occurs. This is a different type of professional relationship. It can feel awkward to come to therapy and speak to a stranger. It can take up to six sessions to feel comfortable with a therapist. Give yourself some time for the process to unfold. There are three stages of therapy: beginning, middle, and end. The beginning stage is about me getting to know you, getting to know your story, and identifying your goals. The middle phase is working on your goals. The end is reviewing what you learned and what's next to work on (if anything at all).

I use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to identify the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I borrow from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to help process problematic thoughts and behaviors and learn how to regulate emotions. Trauma-informed modalities are utilized to help increase your awareness of how trauma impacts your life Narrative Therapy provides a framework for your life (past, present, and future) using analogies, and storytelling that borrows from science fiction, fantasy, music, spirituality, and culture. I also utilize auxiliary tools such as mobile apps, journaling assignments, diagrams, handouts/worksheets, and books (bibliotherapy) that can help you further your processing between sessions.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 106534