Patricia Aquino-Magolske, LCSW — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Patricia!

As you're taking your first step in your process towards emotional self-care and healing, let me support you. I have over 20 years of experience working with various issues, including depression, anxiety, behavioral/parenting challenges, grief/loss, anxiety/panic disorder, relationships, chronic pain/disability, and substance use issues.

My focus

I'm open to meeting you to discuss your goals and motivation for treatment at this time. I enjoy working with patients who are open to a more relational and humanistic approach to counseling, building on their strengths, resiliency, and motivation, and trying to understand and address any obstacles to growth.

My approach

I take a supportive and relational approach to therapy and hope to partner with you in your journey. I'm strengths-based, trauma-informed, and have a multi-cultural / social justice-informed approach. I work to understand clients in the context of their significant relationships, communities, and systems with which they interact.

My communication style

I take a relational approach to treatment. I often use humor and some gentle confrontation to move clients along in the change process. I like to understand each individual's story before diving into the work. I envision myself as an "emotional sherpa" safely guiding and supporting you, while letting you find your own footing on the journey.

My journey to mental healthcare

From volunteering in local soup kitchens at the age of 12, I was driven to engage in helping others from a young age. I found my calling in being a therapist after college, building that empathy muscle through related helping professional work. I find deep meaning in this work after overcoming and surviving my own personal challenges.

My goals for you

I take an integrative clinical approach utilizing CBT, Narrative therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic therapeutic interventions. I like to provide resources, handouts, and homework assignments as needed. I will be reviewing and updating treatment goals periodically with you.

Our first session

Our first session is an opportunity to get to know each other, build a relationship, and set preliminary goals. Please be prepared to discuss the history of the issue you would like to address and any significant stressors in your life that may be impacting you. I will ask questions to build understanding and insight into the problem and goals.

I identify as...

Female
Asian
Christian

Expertise

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Narrative

Psychodynamic

Attachment-based

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

+ 6 more

Focus populations

BIPOC

First Generation American/Immigrant Parents

LGBTQIA+

Racial Justice

+ 4 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Allegiance
Allied
Anthem
Arlo

+ 40 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW) from San Jose State University.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Patricia Aquino-Magolske