About Giovanna
I’m a First-Gen Mexican American, Teen Mom, and a local to the Seattle Area. Growing up, I was a child of a dysfunctional family home and became independent of my family when I became a mom. 15 years later, my son is now a teenager and I work as a full time Therapist. Aside from my work, I’m a cook, yogi and lover of water and anything outdoors.
As a wounded healer, I hope to provide clients with the support they need to step into their truth and give space to the parts of themselves that have yet to be uncovered. I support my clients with clinical skills and knowledge of evidence based practices while leaning heavily into my intuition and wisdom from lived experience. For more info on my practice-in-practice, scroll down to read more...
Therapeutic Approach
I pull from a variety of therapeutic modalities in my work with clients. I lean heavily on Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Relational-Cultural Therapy, and Trauma Informed Mindfulness Practices. In session, I intend to walk alongside my clients and collaborate with them on their process of healing all while making space for choice, exploration, wonder and joy. I strongly believe my work with clients is reciprocal, which is why I strive to challenge power dynamics and honor difference throughout treatment. Our relationship will be the foundation of our work together. It has been through a relational approach where I have witnessed healing in a way that is authentic and deeply impactful.
I provide structure and freedom for clients to define what therapy means for them. This creates a conversational and free-flowing overtone in therapeutic sessions. This allows therapy to go beyond one-sided ‘venting’ (Relational)
I encourage clients to share their cultural values, identity and experience in the world to inform our work (Cultural Relational)
I ask clients about their day/week and also dive into past experiences, such as childhood— to understand how the past informs a client’s present (EFIT, Cultural Relational)
I ask clients to engage in mindfulness practices. This allows clients to locate sensations/emotions in their body, as well as ground self in session, and process what is being discussed in therapy (Somatic Therapy)