Yolanda Garcia

Do you ever find yourself overthinking situations or experiencing thoughts going so fast it's hard to keep up with them? What about experiencing extreme sadness with a lack of motivation to do anything, even get out of bed? Has there been a time when you felt like crying, but you couldn't figure out why? I understand these thoughts and feelings, and together we can work on decreasing feelings of stress, sadness, hopelessness, and isolation, regardless of the situation. We can also work on finding out WHY these feelings continue to happen. Feeling overwhelmed is exhausting, and with my knowledge and skills in treating anxiety, depression, traits and tendencies of OCD and substance use/abuse, we can work on this together with the goal that these feelings don't happen as often. I assure you, you will always be heard with empathy and compassion and absolutely no judgment. No situation is too big or too small; the focus is learning how to tackle your concerns with confidence. My specialities include anxiety, depression, substance use/abuse, domestic abuse/violence and legal concerns, including probation and parole. Together, we can work through anything.

My approach

My approach to working with you includes being open and genuine. I am here to listen and offer support while providing a safe space for reflection and understanding. To do so, I offer treatment to include CBT, Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused treatment, just to name a few. I assure you, you will always be heard in a judgment-free environment.

My focus

I work work adults, couples, families and individuals who experience anger, irritability, frustration, sadness, stress and feelings of hopelessness. I have experience with the forensic population who find it difficult to reintegrate back into society after serving a jail or prison sentence. I also work with individuals who have concerns about substance use and abuse.

My communication style

During our sessions, you can expect to feel safe, where you can speak freely and be heard without judgment. I am open to listening to your concerns, and you can expect to feel comfortable telling me anything. The best way to work through issues is to be open and honest, which is what you can expect from me as your therapist. Sessions are often informal yet informative and beneficial. I ask that you be yourself - bring a cup of coffee or your favorite (non-alcoholic) drink, put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the hour while we dive into what the latest and greatest is in the life of YOU.

My journey to mental healthcare

I share empathy and compassion when working with and talking to people. I understand what it feels like to be so sad that it's difficult to do get out of bed. I understand the struggles of getting through daily tasks when all you want to do is cry. I can empathize with those who feel so overwhelmed; it's difficult to get your thoughts straight and in order just to accomplish one thing for the day. These feelings can turn into a spiraling effect where it gets worse and worse as the days go on. These feelings can break a person, and if I have the ability to help someone get the boost they need to get out of that funk, I will. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen to us, to remind us of what we are capable of, to support us in our low times. I enjoy being that boost. I enjoy being that person and seeing the mood change from down and hopeless to upbeat, happy, and hopeful. Everyone deserves to be happy, and I enjoy offering that support.

My goals for you

I am client-centered and ask the client what they would like to get out of our meetings. The client is the expert in their own life, and for that reason, I learn how to help the client by walking alongside the client during their journey. I check in with the client regarding these goals to see what works and what doesn't work and offer suggestions and feedback on what changes may be made for a more effective outcome, if necessary.

My first session with you

My goal is for a client to be as comfortable as possible from the first session. I have been told the first session can be a little awkward or uncomfortable at first. Therefore, we will not dive into anything that is extreme. A client can expect to tell me a bit about themselves and the reasons they are reaching out to talk with me. I like to learn about the client, such as hobbies and interests, likes and dislikes, and most importantly, I like to learn what it is I can help with. I like to learn what, if anything, has helped in the past and what we can do together to reach the client's goals.