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My name is Maricela Zuniga. I am a Latina Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After spending time living on the Central Coast, I have returned to my roots in the Central Valley, and I am currently based out of Bakersfield, Ca, offering statewide treatment via Telehealth services. I have vast experience working with families, adolescents, and adults attempting to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and life adjustment disorders while using person-centered, CBT, narrative, and solution-focused treatments.
My approach
I structure my therapy sessions around person-centered therapy, honoring the individuality of my clients. I believe it is important to allow my client to lead to best help identify the appropriate approach. I often find that Narrative Therapy, CBT, as well as TF-CBT, and Solution Focused therapy can often help my client find inner peace in a way that aligns with their treatment goals.
My focus
Throughout the years, I have found fulfillment and been able to form strong connections with adolescents and adults who are struggling with adjusting to current life stressors. Whether it is previous or current trauma, anxiety, depression, life changes, grief, or family conflict, I believe that inviting me as a companion to walk alongside you to help make sense of your journey can lead you to find peace in the path you are on.
My communication style
My tone and communication style during sessions is approachable, comforting, and inviting. I feel it is my responsibility as a therapist to establish a safe environment to help clients authentically explore their internal world. Allowing them to openly make connections, to identify areas they are ready to change.
My journey to mental healthcare
Growing up and listening to the unfortunate traumas that impacted generations of my family, I quickly learned the importance of breaking those cycles. However, I often struggled to identify ways to properly stop these patterns. After working with foster youth for several years, I came to the realization that becoming a therapist could offer me not only a way of breaking my own generational traumas but help others identify and process their own cycles to help lead them to a better, more fulfilled life.
My goals for you
I believe that goal setting can help us create a sense of direction and purpose in treatment. I think it is important to understand the goals the client has for treatment within the first couple of sessions to ensure therapist and client are aligned in the course of treatment.
My first session with you
The first sessions are curtailed to help determine our compatibility. The therapist and client should be able to form a therapeutic relationships based on trust and support. In my first sessions, clients can expect to be greeted with an open and welcoming environment that will allow them to openly discuss any current stressors or life events that may be causing my client distress. This can help me better understand how we can continue establishing a connection and help build our treatment structure.
