Rafael Gomez

Welcome! My name is Rafael Gomez, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based out of Los Angeles, California. I specialize in the treatment of men who are struggling with anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. In addition to my individual work with men, I have extensive experience working with adolescents and children with their caregivers, specifically around the healing of trauma. I utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in my work with individual clients and a dyadic/family approach when working with adolescents and children.

My approach

Coming to therapy can be a great, if not a difficult, step towards working on one’s own betterment and healing. I like to take into consideration the difficulty in seeking help, which ultimately shapes my approach to therapy. I aim to create a safe space for us to look at the things that truly matter to you. I frequently utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help us understand your concerns and plan the direction to take in our treatment. My approach with adolescents and children is grounded in a relational framework with their number one support system, their family. I not only help in building your adolescent's/child's resilience, but also your relationship with your child.

My focus

I find that my approach and clinical experience are a great match for young and middle-aged adults, along with young children and adolescents, who may be struggling with relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief and loss.

My communication style

My communication style is one that is calm, engaged, and overall curious. My aim is to create a safe space for you to openly explore and address your difficulties in a manner that is congruent with your values and background. I pride myself in helping my clients cultivate a sense of curiosity and self-compassion in themselves.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting is rooted in helping clients, first and foremost, identify what is important to them. I find that assisting clients to be clear and confident in the things that matter to them is just as important as the goals they aim to accomplish. This often starts by building trust between us and getting comfortable in the therapy by understanding what it means to acknowledge ourselves in the room. Throughout our time together, we’ll check in with each other to see where we are in your goals.

My first session with you

During our first session, we can expect to spend much of our time sharing what you have been feeling prior to coming to therapy. I'll be asking questions to better understand your experience and to help me get a sense of the direction we can take. This first session is for us to build a connection and shared understanding of how we can work together. Throughout this whole process, you are the expert of your lived experience. I know that therapy can be a vulnerable space, and I hope for us to build trust and openness to work on the things that matter to you the most.