I use a client centered approach where the client works with me in deciding the direction of treatment. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive skills and experience working with clients from age 4 to 70 with various issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. I quickly assist my clients in learning appropriate coping skills to assist with any intense feelings they are experiencing at the start of treatment. We then begin meeting weekly to explore those feelings as we work towa...
I have developed an expertise in several treatment modalities with a concentration on anxiety, relationships/couples, career building, culture-related issues. I embrace an integrative, goal-oriented approach to therapy sessions. I cultivate an experience, meeting my clients where they are at, not subjecting to labels, taking time to understand their culture, experience and ideologies of life. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice p...
Hi, I'm Cienna! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Ever since working in Orange County, I've become passionate about helping college students/young adults. From 18-30 is such a special time, but can also come with a lot of ups and downs. I've learned so much during my 20's, and I love to help others navigate similar challenges. In my work, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and a lot of mindfulne...
My clients often appreciate how we can create a safe space where they can comfortably share their experiences. Clients typically enjoy learning and developing practical tools in order to create an improved lifestyle. In building a deeper connection, we can explore the tools you currently use, and collectively figure out the ones that work for you, as well as those that may need to be updated. I work primarily from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic lens as I believe that our ...
I have rich experience working with individuals, couples, and families. Therapeutically, I am person-centered and focus on my client’s ability to adapt and develop as a person. I provide a safe environment for them to discover themselves and experiment with new ways of being and work through obstacles to lead fuller, more meaningful lives outside the therapy office. I am extensively trained and mentored in interpersonal neurobiology, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and Bowen family systems theor...
I have experience in working with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and school stress. I spent more than two years working at Cornell's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provided me with deep knowledge of the ins and outs of their mental health system, along with the pressures that one can face at college in regard to competition, academic stress, and building social connection. Being from upstate NY, I also understand some of the isolative parts of the experience, and adj...
As a clinician I work mainly from behavioral and psychodynamic perspectives, relying on training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in healing painful experiences, managing stress, other mental health struggles, and relationship issues. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a Marketing and Project Manager in Silicon Valley’s high-tech industry, having that experience has helped me to also have a successful track record in working wi...
I offer individual and couples therapy to college/graduate students and young professionals. My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, LGBTQ affirming, and trauma-informed. I believe that my clients are the expert on their own lives, while I am there as a witness, a source of support, and a toolbox of techniques and strategies....
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or like something just isn’t right inside—even if you can’t explain why? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I’m a trauma therapist who understands what it’s like to feel broken, lost, or stuck after going through tough experiences—whether that’s childhood trauma, bullying, abuse, or just the weight of everyday pressure and expectations. I’ve been there myself, and I know healing is absolutely possible. If you’re struggling with ...
With couples, my style is interactive and focused. I help partners recognize patterns that keep them “stuck”, teach strategies to cool down intense emotions, and communicate with intention. I create a compassionate space to help you connect with your true self, the life you want to live, and the relationships you want to have. Therapy is not always easy, but I’ll offer guidance and support. We’ll discuss strategies to help you develop more agency in life. I draw upon practices that are inf...
My focus is to foster healing, spur personal growth, and nurture self-awareness, empowering clients to tap into their innate strengths. With over a decade of clinical experience as a therapist, adjunct professor, and supervisor, I offer a diverse background to my therapy approach. My straightforward yet empathetic and analytical nature allows me to tailor treatment to individuals navigating life's unique challenges. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new stan...
Having trained at the University of Notre Dame (Ph.D., M.A.), UC Berkeley (APA-accredited internship) and Stanford (post-doctoral fellowship), I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with college students. In fact, I worked at the University Counseling Centers at all three of these schools and have continued to develop a specialized private practice that focuses almost exclusively on college students. I also teach for Pepperdine University in their Graduate School of Educati...
Lastly, I am a firm believer that a substantial part of change happens outside of the therapy session. There is no benefit in learning skills if they are not put to use. For this reason, there will be times when we will work together to create a home practice assignment that is relevant to our session and meaningful to you. I consider my style to be a delicate balance of easy-going and down-to-business. One of my goals is to create an atmosphere where you can show up as your authentic self. O...
I specialize in complicated grief, trauma, panic, and related anxiety or depression.Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness, I help my clients identify and change ways of thinking and coping that may be impacting their mental health. This approach includes teaching coping skills that will target specific symptoms and triggers as well as learning to cope with or resolve intense emotional pain. I'm a therapist with O...
My aim is to help clients understand how their history and programming influences patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. When insight and self-awareness of these patterns is established, we will develop ways to shift the combination of these things in a direction that is consistent with what is important or helpful. My experience has primarily been in a variety of outpatient mental health settings, including community mental health, intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization program, p...
College can be an exciting time—and also one that brings real pressure, change, and uncertainty. My practice centers on person-focused care, primarily through medication management, while also creating space for guided, supportive conversations. I work with students to understand their goals, stressors, and strengths, helping them find balance and build confidence in managing their mental health. I value collaboration and autonomy, meaning you’ll always have a voice in your treatment decision...
My passion is working with adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and/or substance use disorders. I have an orientation that is holistic, and client centered. My approach is informed by several theoretical frameworks including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Trauma and Substance Abuse. I believe what leads people to seek therapy is the feeling of uncertainty about life choices, the ineffective behavioral and th...
I practice using a strengths-based approach and work collaboratively with clients. I believe that every individual is the driver of their own journey and has the inherent ability to change and live a healthier life. I invite clients to set their own goals, identify barriers and create a plan for change. I explore underlying beliefs that contribute to the way they see themselves, their relationships with others, and the world in general. As a therapist, I strive to provide a safe space so clie...
It is important to me to provide skills, tools, and options for individuals to feel empowered in managing their life challenges on their own. I approach the therapeutic relationship from an open and honest space. I believe in building a relationship that is supportive, genuine, and collaborative as well as challenging and directive. Healing and progress are often made with a wholistic approach that can include additional support from families, communities, groups, and non-traditional healing pr...
Anxiety’s greatest hits: overthinking, self-doubt, people-pleasing, indecision. Sound familiar? Life gets heavy when your mind won’t slow down, and everything feels like a lot. But really, why have a mind if you can’t change it? As someone who’s been there, I help clients move from stuck and overwhelmed to confident and grounded. Together, we’ll connect the dots between your past and present, understand what’s driving your patterns, and build real tools to calm your body, quiet your thoughts, an...