Hi, I'm Cienna! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Ever since working in Orange County, I've become passionate about helping college students/young adults. From 18-30 is such a special time, but can also come with a lot of ups and downs. I've learned so much during my 20's, and I love to help others navigate similar challenges. In my work, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and a lot of mindfulne...
My deep belief, rooted in both my practice as a therapist and in my experience healing my own trauma, is that our brains and bodies have the innate ability to heal from trauma when provided with a safe enough space to connect to and experience our internal world. As human beings, we are neurobiologically wired to be in relationships with others. For that reason, I have also learned that a key aspect of trauma recovery involves being in the presence of someone who can create safety and hold space...
I come from a trauma-informed theoretical orientation. I believe that attachment is often the root of many challenges. I work from a cognitive-behavioral lens with a narrative approach. I am informed by psychodynamic and social-emotional developmental models (Piaget, Erickson, Freud, Maslow). I also use techniques and interventions integrating art, worksheets, media, and psychoeducational books or articles. I have training in motivational interviewing, adoption competency certification, ASIST su...
My theoretical orientation can be described as eclectic, using techniques from various models of therapy as deemed appropriate with the current treatment and client. I utilize most from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as I assist clients in exploring and expressing thoughts, feelings/emotions, and behaviors in an attempt to identify maladaptive patterns contributing to distress. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing hi...
When we endure traumatic or stressful experiences, it is very common to feel emotional distress and/or as if our world has begun to unravel. I am immensely grateful to be in a role in which I can help facilitate healing and take part in one’s journey towards recovery when these times emerge. While I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused therapy techniques, my therapeutic approach is highly individualized and attentive to cultural diversity. In therapy sessions, w...
Day-to-day stressors, relationships, money problems, and even social media can provoke anxiety, negatively impact self-esteem and diminish a sense of well-being. I know that the struggle is real. In this day and age, most of us would benefit from having at least one non-judgmental person around who can provide solid guidance in helping us work through troublesome thoughts and feelings. ""Be yourself,"" I always say. I'm here to provide a supportive environment that will foster growth and positiv...
I specialize in multicultural counseling focused on racial identity, life transitions, and trauma. I work with you through a variety of challenges including anxiety, PTSD, cultural assimilation, and depression. I’m a big fan of real talk, understanding how systemic forms of oppression affect the mental health of BIPOC communities, & practicing self-compassion. I utilize person-centered and strengths-based approaches to help you identify how your life experiences impact how you interact with t...
I see therapy as a collaborative process where I bring my training and experience into the therapy room and you bring your life experience in order to work towards making life better. The collaborative process is important in all aspects of the therapy process, creating a safe environment, setting goals, doing the work between sessions, checking on progress, and checking on the overall process. My hope is that we are moving towards creating a rich and meaningful life and we move towards that tog...
My style can best be described as insight and action-oriented therapy. I believe that once an individual has an improved understanding of their inner workings (thoughts, emotions, behaviors) and patterns of behavior, then they can begin to adopt more healthy ways of living. In sessions, I offer empathy, acceptance, guidance, and understanding, while encouraging clients to show up authentically so that they can work towards personal growth and positive change. I'm a therapist with Octave an...
I partner with individuals offering compassionate, trauma-informed care that promotes healing and personal growth. Partnering as a relational helper, I hope to expand from problem-focused stories to those of strength and resilience, matched with empowerment and a clearer sense of agency, working together to create the desired changes. I have experience working with individuals, families and couples from diverse backgrounds. My areas of work have included but are not limited to struggles arou...
Through CBT, EMDR, Client-Centered Therapies, Mindfulness, Guided Imagery, Anger Management clients speak of being able to heal from traumatizing experiences, understand self-truths to increase self-esteem, utilize skills to flourish, and to prosper in relationships, effectively create lasting growth and change in their lives. Perhaps you are visiting today to obtain answers to confusion, peace in the torment, clarity from the chaos, healing from the pain. Maybe you just want someone to under...
The majority of my clinical experience is with health concerns of trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, chronic pain and chronic illness. As a queer person myself, I am a queer-affirming therapist and especially welcome LGBTQ+ clients, as well as clients from other diverse backgrounds and unique life experiences. The core of my work is always humanistic/client-centered, and my interventions include mindfulness, self-compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ...
I have over 15 years experience of helping clients develop coping skills, learn problem solving and adaptive skills related to stress management, anxiety, depression, relationships, attachment, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, domestic violence issues, family, parenting, co-parenting, divorce, separations, self-esteem or self-improvement, and personal growth. I believe in helping people find a mindful balance. My approach to my sessions are to ensure clients feel supported, heard, an...
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe we must take into account one’s mental health, physical health, culture, community, family, and recreation, and how this affects quality of life and the ability to live life to its fullest potential. I primarily use a strength-based, solution-focused approach utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy techniques to activate change. I have been in the mental health field as a therapist for over 18 years. A focus or passion of mine has been how o...
I utilize a person-centered approach tailored to the unique needs of the individual client. I am dedicated to addressing life transitions, trauma, and maladaptive communication patterns to re-activate resilience by creating a warm, non-judgmental, attentive and safe space to process and develop healthy skillsets to promote healing. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more abou...
I believe that each of us are experts in our lives and my goal in therapy is to support people finding meaning and purpose in their lives by providing safe and non-judgement space. One of my favorite quotes in life is “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become” by Carl G. Jung. I like to work collaboratively with my clients by using strengths-based, attachment focus and the client-centered approach to achieve their individual goals in life. I'm a therapist with Octave and Eve...
With respect and compassion, we will work together to increase self-awareness and forgiveness for ourselves and others. I have worked as a medical and psychiatric social worker/therapist in hospitals, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and in private practice. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health...
If a person has grown up without much care or consideration for their uniqueness or has gone through personal trauma and tragedy as an adult, psychotherapy can help. Psychotherapy can be a way to increase our life satisfaction and to regain a sense of aliveness. In a non-judgmental and compassionate space, we can start a conversation about what matters in life. In therapy, we talk about life’s problems with no criticism or blame. Often our conversation helps to release emotions and to reflect...
I am passionate about aligning myself with clients to support them through life transitions, achieving work/life balance, coaching around dating and communication skills, assertiveness training, boundaries and goal attainment to name a few! I find that it is so imperative to take the time to invest in personal development in order to find out what it is you really want in life and who you truly are. Therapy can provide a space where you may press the pause button to get in touch with how you are...
My specialty areas include depression, anxiety, child abuse, neglect, trauma, adjustment issues, divorce and separation, stress management, personal growth, and coping skills. I have experience in working in clinics, community-based outpatients, and detention settings. I have a passion for working with young adults in efforts of assisting them in re-writing their stories and utilizing necessary coping skills to manage and evolve during difficult times. I assist my clients in separating themse...