Ogechi Nkwocha

My name is Ogechi Nkwocha and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Riverside County, California, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and teens and I specialize in depression, trauma, anxiety/stress, self-esteem issues, and career counseling. With the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Strength-Based Therapy, I am able to help my clients feel empowered and equipped to take on life’s challenges.

My approach

My approach to therapy is collaborative, structured, and individualized to the needs of my clients. I prefer to ensure that my clients have an active role and understanding of their treatment. I most frequently use a client-centered approach to help me and the client encourage personal growth, self-reflection, and focus on the goals of therapy.

My focus

I have found that my style and approach are a good fit for young and middle-aged adults who may be dealing with the challenges of current life stressors, debilitating effects of trauma, difficulties with self-acceptance, and navigating life transitions. This often takes the form of depression, anxiety, stress, and ultimately living a life unfulfilled. Together, my clients and I will work to develop effective coping tools, improve their view of themselves, and achieve a lifestyle worth living.

My communication style

My communication style is personable, empathic, and respectful. I want my clients to feel comfortable and be open to share their feelings and experiences, free of judgment. I value honesty and accountability.

My journey to mental healthcare

From a young age, I’ve always had an innate desire to help others feel important and included. Aside from my over-caring attitude, I enjoy uplifting and empowering others and being a shoulder to lean on. I started off mentoring, tutoring, and being a peer support before eventually discovering therapy. I decided to become a therapist because of my intrigue in learning about the mind and discovering better ways to live a positive life. I noticed that this was something many people struggled with, as we tend to joke about the idea of having no manual to living life. I believe psychology and therapy are somewhat close to what we have as a manual on how to navigate life’s ups and downs. I can definitely say I love seeing people overcome challenges with my help and striving to be the best version of themselves.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting with clients is all about setting clear, realistic goals and working together to achieve them. I find that reviewing the goals each session helps to maintain the objective in mind and lead to success in your therapy journey.

My first session with you

Our first session together will consist of talking about how you have been feeling recently, what brought you into therapy, and discussing your expected outcomes of therapy. We will also focus on building rapport in order to get a feel for our connection to make sure this will be a good fit. Everyone’s situation is unique, and I would like to make sure I understand yours.