Cultivating Healing and Hope

Marcos Lopez, Ph.D.

Do you find yourself reminiscing back to a time where you didn't struggle as much in life as you do now? Do you wish you could get that life back?

Perhaps you can't ever recall a time where you didn't feel so trapped and overwhelmed. Don't you wish you could find a way to gain a sense of control over your life?

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If so, then you've come to the right place.

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I'm Dr. Lopez and I help individuals just like you: ones that have it within themselves to gain a sense of mastery and control over their emotions and their lives, but need some support to help them achieve it.

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I help those I work with find a sense of confidence and strength by providing them the tools they need to better understand and master their emotions and mind, as I believe everyone has the capacity to heal and live a meaningful life.

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Many of today's approaches to dealing with anxiety or trauma are based on standardized treatment protocols that are limited in their flexibility, adaptability, and creativity in resolving the distress brought forth by anxiety or trauma. Often, therapists are hesitant to deviate from these protocols or to incorporate a more holistic (or whole body) approach, leading many clients to feel stuck in therapy or dependent on their therapist to manage their emotions.

Having been trained in many evidence-based practices (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, problem solving therapy, social skills training therapy, brainspotting therapy), I've learned the importance of utilizing a holistic approach specifically tailored to each of my clients' needs and goals for treatment, as there is no one treatment that will work for everyone. 

When working with you, my first goal is to better understand who you are and how your life experiences have shaped you, including how they are related to the issue bringing you to therapy at this moment.

Afterwards, we work on development of the tools and techniques needed to accomplish your goals for therapy. Through our work together, you’ll develop the skills and confidence necessary to master your fears, worries, and doubts.

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Remember, what we do and how we do it depends entirely upon you and your goals in life. Working together, we will identify what it is that you wish to change and how we can go about making that a reality.

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My training in anxiety and trauma focused treatment (see Services section) means I have the expertise you need and deserve when looking to overcome your anxiety or trauma. However, at the end of the day you want to know you’re working with someone who understands your struggle with anxiety or trauma, right?

I understand because I have devoted my career to working with people suffering from anxiety and trauma (e.g., physical and sexual assault survivors, Veterans, immigrants with acculturation issues). In addition, I'm Autistic, so I know first hand the suffering that anxiety and trauma can cause in the lives of those it affects, especially the sense of isolation and feeling that others don't accept or understand you. I know that sometimes you feel hopeless, trapped, stuck, overwhelmed, confused, or lost. So when we work together, you won’t just get a trained therapist. You’ll get someone who truly understands what you’re going through.

While I'm currently based in Sacramento, CA I offer mental health services to anyone within the state of California via teletherapy. As a side note, I’m a strong advocate for social justice and on providing psychoeducation on racial/ethnic microaggressions and their impact on society as a whole. On a personal note, I am an avid gamer who enjoys playing RPGs and an Autistic person who is passionate about unmasking and helping support others do the same.