Natalia Lopez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #76095) with over 10 years of clinical experience. She earned two bachelor degrees in Sociology and [email protected] studies from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and her Masters in Social Welfare from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She is the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico and was born and raised in Boyle Heights, CA. Natalia’s therapeutic approach is inspired by the notion that by establishing a safe and trusting therapeutic partnership with her clients, she will carefully work towards creating space for any underlying hurt, stress, or pain someone may be experiencing. Together, developing greater insight into strengths and unresolved conflicts. She also believes, everything we need to live the life we want is already within us and we are the experts on ourselves. The benefit of therapy is to provide the support, education, techniques, and coping strategies that can enhance our life circumstances and empower us to attain our personal goals. As a therapist of color, Natalia is interested in providing therapy that is culturally relevant and compassionate. She recognizes that communities of color have had to develop survival strategies to endure marginalization and historical trauma. The effects of these may show up as challenges in current relationships, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Someone may think that something is wrong with them, while what they are actually experiencing is a result of systemic trauma that may have also been experienced by their ancestors. Natalia has experience working with adolescents, adults, families and couples. She also has an expertise in working with the LGBTQIA2S community and offers a lively LGBTQIA2S affirming outlook in a safe and caring environment. Her educational & professional backgrounds include extensive training’s in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Problem-Solving Therapy, and other evidence-based treatment models. Natalia is a bilingual and bi-cultural therapist who is able to conduct therapy services in Spanish.