About

Hey there! I'm Jerry, a licensed CBT certified therapist in California specializing in individual therapy for teens and adults. For over 25 years, I have helped teens and adults from diverse backgrounds navigate the unique challenges they face. I became a psychotherapist because therapy is not only a powerful instrument of healing, but also a catalyst for growth and purpose. As a CBT certified therapist, I am passionate about helping my clients confront and overcome self-defeating patterns, so that they can find Healing from the past, Growth right where they're at, and Purpose in the midst of change.

I primarily love working with young adults on treating depression and anxiety and other common issues like relationship problems, career issues, dating issues, men’s issues, cultural issues, purpose and identity, self-esteem, phase-of-life transitions, LGBQT relationships, trauma, grief, and anger.

I understand the many modern-life challenges that young adults today face. I understand the roller coaster of emotions and expectations that come with transitioning into early adulthood. The daily stress of making it through high school and then college. The pressure of choosing the right career. The confusion, frustration, or uncertainty of trying to navigate modern romantic relationships. The realities of starting a family. Dealing with problematic relationships at work. The struggle of maintaining a sense of purpose and identity in the hustle of every-day "adulting".  

Young adults deal with not only the pressure of becoming independent and successful in this society, but the expectation (and pressure) of always living up to other people’s standards, or their own. Over time, all this pressure can take a toll on one’s emotional health and affect our sense of Self, leaving us feeling stuck, discouraged, or lost. Sometimes "Fake it ‘til you make it" only takes us so far. Constantly struggling with self-doubt makes it hard to move forward.

And as a single father of an 8 year-old and a career professional, I also understand the challenges of balancing career and life. I understand the pressures of taking care of your loved ones at home while always delivering your best at the work place. I've been at the crossroads of uncertainty in facing a career transition and setback. I know the pain of having to pick yourself back up with the heartbreak and loss after "things didn't work out" or when things aren't going well in your relationship. I know the lonely feeling of having to start over. 

Regardless of what's happening in your life right now, your story doesn't end here. My goal is to help you navigate the challenges you're facing with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of personal purpose. While you and your situation are unique, I specifically utilize Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and other related therapies that focus on your Healing, Growth, and Purpose leading to lasting change. 

We can't change the past, but we can change how you're doing now and what your future will look like. 

My Counseling Style

We start by exploring the areas of your life where you're feeling stuck or lost. Then throughout our work together, you will:

• Define your values and goals - not just what you want out of therapy, but what you want out of life based on your authentic self and who you want to be.
• Learn CBT techniques that help you understand your inner experience and how that shapes your outer experience.
• Learn the self-awareness skills to identify and let go of or change the self-limiting beliefs and thoughts that hold you back.
• Discover how to handle difficult feelings and painful emotions through planned experiential exercises so that you can respond to situations more effectively and congruently with who you want to be.
• Use what you learned in session to create a clear action plan that helps you achieve your goals outside of session.
• Learn the knowledge & skills to be your own therapist!

By the end of our work together, you'll have the self-understanding and skills to live with confidence and pursue your best life driven by your sense of purpose.

I provide therapy using a private and secure live video platform so that you can receive the support you need from the comfort and convenience of your own personal space.

Remember, there are people who do care and things can get better. If you're ready to begin working on yourself and your best life, reach out to me. I’d love to hear your story. We'll start with a FREE brief video consultation to make sure we're a good fit. I also speak and write fluently in Spanish.

Education 

• B.A. in English from California State University, Stanislaus (Turlock, CA.)
• M.A. in School Counseling from CSU Stanislaus (Turlock, CA.)

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (LPCC 6283)
• Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician (Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy)
• Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF #14284)
• Board-Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH #1761)
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential in California (PPSC #170046953)