Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.My Approach to Helping
Hi there, my name is Ara Espinoza and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) located in California working with clients via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, depression, and life stress using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help my clients improve their overall quality of life. My approach to therapy varies, tends to be very eclectic, and is individualized to each client. I most frequently use the following approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-focused Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Attachment-based Therapy, Alderian Therapy, Grief Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Family Systems. I like working together with my clients to identify wants and needs for therapy.
I have found that my style and approach is best suited for people who struggle with: making themselves a priority, have strong feelings of loneliness and guilt, are misunderstood by family or friends, have perfectionistic tendencies or expectations, engage in people-pleasing, are fearful of being seen as “selfish”, and want to be liked. These issues tend to be seen with people struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, interpersonal conflicts, and life transitions.
My communication style is honest, direct, and compassionate with a twist of humor. I want my clients to show up authentically and use language they always use rather than filtering who they are. I decided to become a therapist because I was always the friend people would go to for advice knowing I was open, honest, and truly non-judgmental. I enjoy having deep meaning conversations with people and it bring me joy to see people improve their own lives in the process. My approach to goal setting is a collaborative one. I want my clients to get what they want out of therapy by identifying wants and needs for therapy, goal setting, and tracking progress. The most important factor is the therapeutic connection and alliance we build together.
What you can expect from our first session together is getting to know you and aspects of your life you feel comfortable sharing, as well as what brought you into therapy at this point in time. It will also be an opportunity for you to see if I am the right therapist for you.