"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson In my journey, I have learned that the roots of our disharmony must be identified – we must become aware of the underlying causes of our problematic issues before we can recover our authentic self. In addition to doing individual therapy, I am an adjunct at a university where I teach Psychology and I am a court-recognized expert on sexual assault and child abuse. In this role, I do Forensic Psychology consultation work with attorneys who represent court-dependent minors. I look closely into the lives of people harmed, both physically and emotionally, within the context of the family. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, the maltreatment of children, and the elderly – vulnerable people who were harmed instead of protected by the family system. I am keenly aware of the negative impact, generationally, of this childhood exposure to family chaos and trauma. These experiences led me to intensely examine underlying motivations and to the advanced study of a psychological theory—family systems theory. I have learned that while justice is an important component of healing, it is not the whole picture. Authentic recovery must include awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness. I help my clients discover for themselves these vital components of authentic healing. On a personal level, I enjoy nature and outdoor activities – the beach, hiking, bird-watching, and camping. I would like to include a note to our modern-day warriors – today’s public servants - those individuals who must daily share the pain of others- up close – our first responders. You may find yourself having significant impairment in your social or occupational areas of functioning, or you may have the need to process a stressful event you have experienced. If you begin experiencing increased emotional arousal (anger, irritability, fear, depression) in daily events, you may be experiencing acute stress response. There are critical components involved in coming to terms with acute or post-traumatic stress, and I would be honored to help you recognize and implement these steps. I have been there. To anyone considering therapy, no matter the source of their emotional pain, authentic healing involves understanding the fundamental processes of life and using the principles inherent in that understanding. Once the roots of our disharmony are identified—awareness—we can employ the principles of responsibility, courage, and forgiveness to recover genuine emotional health. My clients have taught me that they prefer practical, goal-driven therapy. Because of this, I like to use solution-focused and Cognitive Behavioral theories in my work. Many of my past clients have reported that they prefer these theories. They prefer improving negative symptoms during treatment via solution-focused therapy and setting clear, concise, and realistic goal-setting concepts found in Cognitive Behavioral treatment. Thank you for taking the time to read about me. I wish you the emotional health needed to live the life you dream of. In considering me as a therapist for yourself, I can't overstate my gratitude to you for allowing me to serve you in this way.

Hello and thank you for learning about me! I am a California and Oregon state Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of settings, working with differing populations and ages. I have helped others who are looking to start or maintain their healing journey or are experiencing obstacles such as depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, addictions and trauma (including multi-generational trauma). My current clinical focus is on individual adult men and women from various ethnic backgrounds. What has become abundantly clear to me, especially since working within a Telehealth format which reaches people far and wide, is that no matter where we are from we all have in common the needs for purpose, meaning and value in our lives. Those who have worked with me on BetterHelp know that I pay close attention to words, love metaphors, and use humor when it is appropriate to do so. My style is warm and actively engaging and my approach pulls from various sources including solution-focused, dialectical behavior, narrative, and experiential therapies. I can't believe it has been 4 years already since I joined BH. I have developed a model "in honor" of this milestone. I hope it brings clarity to you as to how I may approach your situation. I look forward to meeting you: Joy’s CHIPS Model© … Chipping away at human problems Cognitive Distortions - checking in on narratives Communication - listening vs hearing Comparisons - soul killer Compassion - Kindness towards Self? Others? Regret & Resentments Context - environment, culture, religion, health Control - can/can’t (anxiety/panic, codependency, addictions) Healthy Distractions - Skills & Tools Honesty - transparency Humility - gratitude? narcissism? I - Am I making it all about me? codependency? narcissism? I - Interpretations & Assumptions Patience Paying Attention - and Mindfulness Petrified - including fear of feeling better Physical - health, including its cause for MH issues Projection - onto others & forecasting Proof - of assumptions Purpose Self-Awareness Self-Sabotage Substances Support System "Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it." ― Aubrey de Grey “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” ~ Joseph Chilton Pearce

Hi my name is Mary Baez. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist registered in the state of California. I have been working in the mental health field for fifteen years in a varieties of settings, giving me a wealth of knowledge on human behavior. Beyond my educational qualifications I have learned and continue to learn from the clients I have had the pleasure and honor of serving throughout my years of clinical practice. The learning never stops and the resiliency of the human spirit is amazing. I also am a clinical supervisor of up and coming therapists. It is of upmost importance to me to build a trusting therapist/client relationship in the beginning of the therapeutic process. This is done by listening with my whole heart in a non-judgmental stance to allow for soulful sharing and feeling heard and understood. My basic approach to therapy is Person Centered, which purports unconditional positive regard. The interventions I use are eclectic and tailored to the unique and individual needs of each client. I work from a holistic and strength based philosophy to assist clients in going within to find their truth and act upon it by living a life worth living based on self-discovery. Clinical Approaches: Trauma Focused Therapy EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Solution Focused Therapy

I am licensed in California with 24+ years of professional experience providing individual and family therapy with teens and adults. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, anger management, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties, life changes and transitions and helping to develop happiness. I work with my clients to create an open, safe and positive environment where thoughts, feelings and ideas can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Florida with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in California with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional Individual Mental Health Therapy work experience, and 17 years of Acute hospital setting work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, coping with grief and loss, postpartum depression, fertility issues, parenting issues, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience in therapy, with 25 years of work experience in human services. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, & grief. I also offer faith-based & metaphysical therapy, including Christian-based therapy, spiritual therapy & holistic therapy. I believe in treating everyone with respect, dignity and compassion. I am here to support & empower you in your journey.