Vanessa Gonzalez

LCSW

The first session is typically spent gathering information, where I learn more about you and what brings you to therapy. I am semi-structured in which I will ask some questions regarding general wellness and perhaps significant relationships. We go at your pace though, so whether you would rather me take the lead or would like to jump straight into the topics that you want to address in therapy, I leave it up to you!

I took an Intro to Psychology class in 10th grade and was sold on the idea of entering the psychology field. I was one of many teenagers that felt I had no one to talk to and decided I wanted to become the person I wish I had back then. Someone who accepted me as I was, did not judge me, supported me, and believed in me. While I am now trained in addressing a variety of clinical concerns using evidence based interventions, I continue to strive and create this environment for anyone I work with. I believe the therapeutic relationship remains the most important factor.

I have learned over the course of my personal life that changing the way we think and feel is often times an uphill battle that we seem to never reach. Life is full of painful moments, whether it be sickness, loss, change, or one problem after another. That is not to say life is terrible, as there are moments of beauty, love, wonder, and joy. I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, an evidence-based modality that emphasizes learning ways to exist (in other words, accept) with challenging thoughts, feelings, memories, urges, etc., while committing to living out values, or what matters most to you. Similar to my own view of life, it is an approach that does not try to change or "fix" anything- there is nothing wrong to begin with.