Anastasia is a licensed bilingual multi-ethnic Black and LatinX Marriage and Family Therapist. Anastasia has over with ten years of clinical experience working with adolescents, families, groups and Individuals. She has extensive experience in a variety of specializations such as: Addiction (Dual Diagnosis), Adolescents, Anxiety, Depression, Co-dependency, Multi-Ethnic Identity, Gender struggles, Highly Sensitive Women, Family Relational Issues, LGBTQIA Affirming Therapy, Low Self Esteem/Self- Worth Issues, Perfectionism and Procrastination Issues.
Anastasia Founded Unlock Your Joy Therapeutic and Consulting Services with a mission and purpose to aid those seeking emotional freedom in reclaiming their authentic and purposeful lives despite mental health barriers such as, but not limited to : anxiety, depression, minority or gender disadvantages, low self esteem/self worth, narcissistic abuse and inter-generational trauma. Anastasia has dedicated her life to public service, advocacy and has always prioritized social activism being a leader for social justice and equality for all of humanity since her early high school years.
Anastasia acquired invaluable experience prior to her private practice work, serving as a Program Coordinator at a drug and alcohol treatment center for several years before establishing her own private practice. Her therapeutic work with clients with severe mental health, dual diagnosis and addiction issues allowed her to grow significantly as a clinician while learning and observing first hand the harsh realities of addiction, trauma, lack of self confidence/self worth, and the integral influence the family system has on the perception of self . Anastasia's intern and trainee experience consisted of working as a pre-licensed therapist at several non-profit and community mental health programs serving underprivileged, diverse and at-risk populations such as: victims of abuse, ethnic minorities, juvenile delinquency, economically disadvantaged, disabled, and individuals with perceived social risks across the state of California from the Bay to LA.
As a highly sensitive and very perceptive child, Anastasia possessed a specific interest about the multi-dimensional aspects of understanding human action, social relationships, family dysfunction, and cultural motivation at an early age. As a result, Anastasia went on to study and earn a Dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and African American Studies from San Jose State University. Anastasia serviced at risk youth in marginalized communities in group homes and juvenile placement facilities, as a counselor for a year after graduating from college. She then acknowledged her desire to continue her education to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Anastasia earned her Master's of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco .
Anastasia's clinical orientation is a multi-dimensional approach to treatment including: Cognitive Behavioral , emotional-focused, Mindfulness Interpersonal and Existential Therapy. Anastasia's theoretical approach is an eclectic one as she has come to recognize in her clinical work and education, that every person has special strengths, different insights, personal meaning and purpose for their lives. Anastasia offers a down to earth, intuitive, empathic and compassionate approach to therapy while also encouraging and challenging clients to pursue the lives they desire and deserve.
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
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