Licensed to practice in California. Specializes in Addiction, Anger Management, Coping Skills and 9 more.
(she/her)
Often rebooked
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 16 years of clinical experience helping adults, couples, families, and adolescents navigate substance use disorders, trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I am passionate about helping clients build healthier relationships, develop effective coping skills, and create lasting change. I specialize in addiction and recovery, including alcohol and drug use, relapse prevention, codependency, family recovery, and the impact of substance use on relationships. My approach is trauma-informed and recognizes the important connection between mental health, past experiences, family dynamics, and overall well-being. I utilize evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Relapse Prevention. I work collaboratively with clients to identify strengths, overcome barriers, and develop practical strategies that support healing and growth. Whether you are struggling with addiction, recovering from trauma, experiencing relationship difficulties, or seeking greater emotional balance, I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered. Together, we will create a personalized treatment plan that supports long-term recovery, resilience, and meaningful change.
Your first session is a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can begin to feel heard and supported. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy—whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, relationship stress, or a major life transition—and clarify what you’d like to change or better understand. I’ll ask about your personal history, strengths, and support systems so we can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. You’re always in control of the pace, and there’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready for. By the end of our first meeting, you’ll have a clearer sense of how therapy works, what our work together may look like, and practical next steps toward healing and lasting change.
I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel truly heard and understood. Building genuine connection is central to my work, because meaningful change begins with feeling safe enough to be honest about what’s really going on. I specialize in substance use recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Using an integrative, evidence-based approach—including trauma-informed care, CBT, attachment-based therapy, and family systems therapy—I tailor treatment to your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re working to break unhealthy patterns, strengthen relationships, set boundaries, or heal from past experiences, I focus on practical tools and deeper emotional insight to support lasting change. Clients often share that they feel deeply understood in our work together—and more confident navigating life outside of therapy.
I love working with those who are motivated to explore the underlying dynamics of their mental health and relational challenges, as well as those seeking to cultivate healthier connections and a deeper understanding of themselves and their loved ones.
Other specialties
I identify as
Trauma Informed Care
About Me I am a Licensed Therapist with over 16 years of clinical experience helping individuals, couples, and families overcome challenges related to substance use disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based, and client-centered therapy that empowers clients to heal, grow, and thrive. Therapeutic Approach My approach is holistic and integrative, combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Relapse Prevention, and Trauma-Informed Care to support emotional wellness and sustainable recovery. I address the interconnection between mental health, addiction, trauma, and family systems, helping clients build insight, resilience, and healthier relationships. I also draw from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Attachment-Focused Therapy to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and inner healing. Specializations ✅ Substance Use Disorders & Addiction Recovery – Expertise in CBT, motivational enhancement, relapse prevention, and dual-diagnosis treatment to support long-term sobriety. ✅ Trauma & PTSD Recovery – Skilled in trauma-informed, somatic, and mindfulness-based interventions to help clients process and release past pain safely. ✅ Family & Relationship Therapy – Experienced in family systems and communication-focused therapy to improve connection, understanding, and relational health. ✅ Anxiety, Depression & Life Transitions – Supportive strategies to manage stress, build coping skills, and restore balance. Therapeutic Style ✔ Client-Centered: I provide a warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and supported. ✔ Integrative: I tailor treatment plans to each client’s unique needs, blending therapeutic techniques for maximum effectiveness. ✔ Collaborative: I partner with clients to develop personalized strategies that foster empowerment, resilience, and lasting change. ✔ Strengths-Based: I help clients identify and build on existing strengths to achieve meaningful personal growth. Professional Experience With extensive experience in private practice, outpatient programs, hospital settings, and community mental health, I bring a comprehensive understanding of behavioral health across diverse populations. My work focuses on helping clients manage substance use, heal from trauma, improve communication, and reconnect with their sense of purpose and well-being.
1 rating with written reviews
July 1, 2025
She’s wonderful. Desiree empowers me to look at my options from different angles & provides support as I explore what they mean to me. She’s compassionate and understanding. She creates a safe space for me to process my emotions and provides support as I find my way through them.