Ami-Ray Camarena, PsyD, LMFT
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST #144518
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST #144518
Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. Frequency of sessions are typically weekly, but can vary to every other week or monthly, depending on the individual.
Relational therapy has sessions that include more than one individual in a relational unit. This includes family therapy, couple therapy, etc. Relatioanl therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length.
Anxiety
Depression
Family-of-origin conflict
First-generation Americans/children of immigrant parents
Gender identity exploration and navigation
Neurodivergence (e.g. ADHD, Autism, OCD, etc.)
Relationship conflict
Self-esteem and self-worth
Trauma
In our first session together, here's what you can expect:
A first session with me is a first impression of me, and I think it's important to provide containment and boundaries around the type of therapeutic work I do. The initial session would include understanding a client's history of mental health professionals and learning what was helpful or unhelpful in their journey. This is also a great time for me to learn any accommodations or things a client would like for me to know at the onset of our work together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am an authentic and expressive human being who is great at tracking details in a client's narratives and stay engaged throughout sessions.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I have extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, and families. I have primarily supported people navigating depression, anxiety, family conflict, family-of-origin-issues, identity exploration, and relationships. I enjoy working with queer, trans/non-cis, neurodivergent clients.
Treatment Methods
Gender-affirming therapy
I have extensive experience working with trans and non-cis clients in navigating identity exploration as well as finding ways of navigating cisheteronormative constructs in clients' lives (e.g. work, school, social, relational, etc.)
Attachment-based
Humans are social creatures and have an innate desire for connection. Understanding unmet emotional needs throughout a client's lifespan is essential in better understanding how to manage relationship conflict as well as emotional regulation.
Trauma Informed Care
Providing emotional safety and security is an important component of therapy. Using a trauma-informed approach would include practicing consent throughout all stages of therapy, not just the intake process.
Experiential Therapy
Some folks may take a while to warm up to a therapist. Using experiential interventions through expressive arts like music, arts and crafts, writing, are some of the ways in which potential clients can find ways to express something that may be difficult to put into words.