Cherie Chavez

My name is Cherie Chavez, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing integrative psychotherapy via telehealth statewide in California. In 2009 I began counseling adults coping with severe mental illness and complex trauma, to help provide symptom relief and improve their quality of life. Having a diagnosis can feel stigmatizing; reaching out for help so you don't go it alone can be empowering.

My approach

My approach to therapy is eclectic: it is both an art form and science; it is highly intuitive in nature yet there is data quantified to back it up. I consider the wholeness of one’s being from the physical to the etheric and believe that true and lasting healing begins when an individual honors and accepts their own truth. The methodologies I often incorporate into sessions include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Ultimately, I aim to help my clients come to their own realizations within a safe and non-judgmental environment.

My focus

I am very comfortable and most experienced in working with adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, it is not uncommon for my clients to have symptoms of complex trauma. Another demographic I am quite familiar with is military service members and their families. It is a unique culture that comes with its own set of hardships. I have both first-hand experience as the daughter of a retired veteran (having grown up on an Army basis and moving often) and also working with veterans in an outpatient clinic.

My communication style

My objective is to stay attuned and reflective of your narrative. Based on feedback from others, I can share that my style is very warm and responsive. I provide gentle feedback when warranted and aim to create an environment of mutual trust and respect.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have a background in business administration and thought I was going to be an accountant - even began studying for the CPA exam shortly out of college. However, life threw a number of curve balls and I slowly let go of that idea after learning it was not for me. Years later, I ended up in a position where the company I worked for offered educational incentives to pursue higher degrees. I was yearning for a collegiate atmosphere and the timing was right. Thus, my journey began and I was excited to enroll at Antioch University after seeing some advertisements in the Santa Barbara Independent about Antioch’s Clinical Psychology program. It is where I first started learning about Carl Rogers and Carl Jung. But there is more to the story: We all experience some form of trauma or suffering in our lifetime. Growing up, I experienced first-hand the impact of mental illness in my family. It wasn’t until I began my own therapy sessions during my undergraduate years that I witnessed how transformative the process can be in one’s life. So, when the opportunity arose decades later to pursue a master’s degree leading toward licensure, I did not hesitate!

My goals for you

From my perspective, “goal setting” is a tool, but not the ultimate focus. I tend to be more free-flowing and less “clinical” in nature. The client-therapist relationship in and of itself can organically move clients to achieve their end result. That said, a question I always ask is: “What do you hope to gain in these sessions?” I usually ask this in the first meeting and then revisit this a few sessions in.

My first session with you

The first session is generally an assessment of the client’s current situation and inquiring about what they wish or hope to gain from therapy. I also provide an informed consent of the potential risks and benefits (verbally and in writing). This involves asking about the client’s history of engaging in prior therapy sessions, and their experiences of what worked and what did not work.