Gabriela Raijer, M.A., L.C.P.C.

Over the last 17 years, I have dedicated my practice to working with women struggling with trauma, grief, difficult relationships and substance abuse. My approach is based on solution-focused therapy and motivational interviewing. In other words, we set small goals that soon transform into big changes. BILINGUAL SPANISH We provide individual and group psychotherapy. We have flexible schedules and provide evening sessions and weekend appointments. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long, though there are times when we may ask for additional time to meet. Groups are typically one and one-half hours and usually meet weekly. During the first session, we discuss the reason(s) for therapy and, in addition to learning about you, we discuss how to approach the therapy process. Clients are encouraged to ask questions and to participate in the process of establishing goals and regularly discussing progress toward goals We work with people from various cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds and we have English and Spanish language staff. We have a strong background working with individuals who have been impacted by trauma, violence, and addictions. HOW CAN THERAPY HELP ME? A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management and body image issues. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include: * Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values * Developing skills for improving your relationships * Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy * Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety * Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures * Improving communications and listening skills * Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones * Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage * Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. DO I REALLY NEED THERAPY? I can usually handle my problems on my own. People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives. WHAT IS THERAPY LIKE? Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly). It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives. WHAT ABOUT MEDICATION vs. PSYCHOTHERAPY? It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. HOW DOES INSURANCE WORK? To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them: * What are my mental health benefits? * What is the coverage amount per therapy session? * How many therapy sessions does my plan cover? * How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider? * Is approval required from my primary care physician? WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY? Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team, but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations: * Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources. * If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person. For clients who are processing their applications to obtain US residency, we are able to complete psychiatric evaluations. ADDITIONAL SERVICES: IMMIGRATION EVALUATIONS These evaluations are typically requested for clients who have been charged or convicted of DUIs and/or have mental health diagnoses that require further assessment. Civil surgeons can collaborate with our counselors to make an informed decision on whether or not a patient should be given medical clearance. Please call our office if interested in learning more about these services.