Christy Garcia

I help individuals who are struggling to overcome painful memories learn how to make peace with the past so they can move forward with their lives. I'm passionate about helping clients overcome anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma/PTSD, and also enjoy integrating faith into therapy for those who request that. My approach As a trauma-informed therapist, my approach is very gentle and person-centered. Instead of considering “what’s wrong with you?” I’m more interested in learning about what happened to you that brought you to the point of seeking a therapist. I'm committed to helping you get to the root of your issues and resolving your problems in a way that makes sense to you. I take a comprehensive, holistic approach to therapy, involving the mind, body, and soul. I'm trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is a trauma-specific therapy model; however, I also draw from other trauma-focused techniques to help you heal and grow. I utilize mindfulness and guided meditation, and also teach grounding skills and other coping tools in addition to offering a non-judgemental, listening ear in your sessions. My communication style I take a predominantly non-directive approach to therapy, which means that each week I'll be checking in with you to find out what's on your mind and what you wish to talk about. However, as your therapist, I'm also here to serve as your guide and steer each session in the right direction so you can make effective progress toward your goals and will take the lead if you're ot quite sure what to focus on. I'm very open and receptive to feedback and value your input along the way. My goals for you I approach goal setting at the beginning of therapy, usually within the first 1-3 sessions. At the outset, I want to know what your goals are for yourself and what you hope to accomplish in your therapy (aka, how you want to feel when you are ready to complete your time with me?) Since this is your therapy, these are your goals, and together we'll identify what we should focus on. Of course, I'll offer my input and expertise to help guide you in the right direction if you feel stuck and unsure. My first session with you The first appointment is called the “intake assessment” and it’s an opportunity for me to gather more background and history regarding the issue that you’d like to work on in therapy. Prior to your appointment, you will receive some intake paperwork for you to review, fill out, and sign. This includes the informed consent for therapy and a couple of questionnaires to help me get to know you and your circumstances better. It’s helpful to have those completed before our appointment so that way we can make the best use of our time. It may feel like I'm asking a lot of questions that feel personal so know that you're allowed to answer only what you're comfortable sharing. I know it takes time to open up. This session helps me to more deeply understand what's going on with you and inform my decision-making regarding how to guide the treatment. If you're ready to start feeling better, fill out the contact form to request a free, 15-minute phone consultation or give me a call at: (619) 404-0754. I look forward to talking with you!