Gisela Batres, LCSW — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Gisela!

I'm a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20+ years of experience. Hablo español. I help adults understand how family-of-origin experiences shape relationships, self-worth, and emotional well-being. My approach is practical, insight-oriented, and focused on lasting personal growth and emotional security.

My focus

I work primarily with adults seeking greater emotional balance, healthier relationships, and personal growth. My focus includes family-of-origin issues, attachment patterns, anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, cultural concerns, and relationship challenges. I work best with clients motivated for meaningful change.

My approach

My approach is collaborative, relational, and strengths-based. I integrate CBT, ACT, attachment-focused interventions, and psychoeducation to help clients identify patterns, improve emotional regulation, and build healthier relationships while fostering self-awareness and resilience.

My communication style

My style is warm, thoughtful, and direct. I create a supportive environment where clients can explore difficult emotions, gain insight, and develop practical tools for change. I balance compassion with accountability while helping clients stay focused on their therapeutic goals.

My journey to mental healthcare

As a Latina and daughter of immigrant parents, I understand the complexities of culture, family expectations, and identity. These experiences inspired me to become a therapist and help others break generational patterns, strengthen self-understanding, and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

My goals for you

I help clients identify patterns, beliefs, and relationship dynamics that may be limiting growth. Together, we create structure and realistic goals focused on self-awareness, emotional regulation, healthy boundaries, and relationship satisfaction. Therapy is tailored to support sustainable, long-term change.

Our first session

The first session is a chance for us to discuss your concerns, goals, and personal history. Together, we'll identify patterns contributing to current challenges and clarify what you'd like to gain from therapy. My goal is to create a thoughtful, supportive, and collaborative experience.

I identify as...

Female
Hispanic or Latinx

Expertise

Specialties

+ 9 more

Treatment approaches

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Behavioral Activation

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Mindfulness-Based

Motivational Interviewing

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

+ 6 more

Focus populations

First Gen American/Immigrant Parents

+ 1 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Aetna - Medicare Advantage
Alignment Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
All Savers
Allegiance

+ 73 more

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, Los Angeles.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Gisela Batres