Marriage & Family Therapist Associate
My name is Anissa, and I use they/them and she/her pronouns. Therapy is a safe place to take care of your whole self, building a relationship with yourself and loved ones that is authentic to you.
So often, the hardest part of relationships is being present with difficult emotions as they come up. The boogeymen of the past and the fears of the future stop us from staying present with our loved ones right now. I am here to support you while you move through the emotions that come up from understanding these experiences more. By building upon your strengths, we will collaborate to build skills to feel your emotions safely, build connection to your loved ones, and feel more empowered in your daily life. Relationships are also negotiations of autonomy and belonging. There’s a special recipe for each relationship where autonomy and belonging are balanced.
Having grown up as a queer child in a biracial, bicultural, traditional Mexican American family in rural Illinois, I have experience with the challenges of navigating different needs in families and building strong bonds across differences. My therapeutic approach is based on curiosity, humor, creativity, and being present in the “now” to build an authentic connection with you. There will be laughter in our space – humor is good and part of the process. I am a direct communicator and very transparent in our work so we can collaborate to find your unique path. I enjoy working with clients who are neurodiverse, queer, transgender, and/or people of color.
I also work with couples who may be struggling with conflict, disconnection, and communication challenges in relationships. During our sessions, we will delve deeply into your relational dynamics, as well as collaborate on a plan to support your relational healing. Relational healing is a powerful tool for deepening and understanding ourselves and each other.
My clinical work is based in trauma-informed, attachment-based therapy techniques that work with you as a whole person. My relational focus means that I want to learn about you as a whole person and how you are in relationship to the world around you. During therapy, we will explore emotional regulation tools and techniques, explore your past, present, and goals for the future, and co-create a plan for meeting your goals. Most of my clients report learning and using new skills that lead to a higher quality of life.
Therapy is a vulnerable, explorative, and imaginative space. Together, we will build an authentic connection to collaborate towards your goals with optimism and care. I am here to offer support to you as you find your unique path.
Credentials
Education
- Masters in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
- Bachelor of Political Science & minor in Anthropology