Jose Guerra – Marriage & Family Therapist

3171 Los Feliz Blvd Suite 200-C Los Angeles, California 90039 (818) 770-6147

3171 Los Feliz Blvd Suite 218 Los Angeles, California 90039 (818) 770-6147

When people experience stress, issues, or everyday problems, worry, anxiety and uncertainty, holding onto a ‘secret’; or just feel irritated by others, become upset easily, lately have been having difficulty being around people or situations, or experienced a very scary incident, often referred to as a trauma, talking to a psychotherapist such as myself can be healing and productive towards your journey to well being. The therapy process is a valuable investment for you and your loved ones. As a psychotherapist, I remain neutral, objective and non-judgmental.

As a practicing psychotherapist in Los Angeles, CA, I have worked with individuals who often feel ‘stuck’. Sometimes, anxiety or sadness gets in the way. My experience has been in working to treat a combination of symptoms, specifically trauma (s). My work is focused with people of color (POC), underserved and mariganized individuals, LGBTQ individuals, life adjustments, cultural and acculturation issues, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and other types of traumatic events (i.e. car accidents, sudden loss, childhood trauma). I hope to be able to walk with you in your journey to finding hope and healing.
What to Expect during your first visit

•During our first meeting, we will review and answer any questions you might and consent for services.

•Conduct an evaluation to gather information about your symptoms, why you are seeking counseling now, childhood and family history, and other relevant information.

•After the 2 sessions, we will discuss findings based the evaluation and determine treatment recommendations.

•3rd Session: We will discuss your treatment objectives and goals. This will help us develop a “map” on what you hope to achieve and how we will get there.

•4th session and on: The therapy process technically begins with session 1; however, from here on, we will begin to work on the clinical issues that brought you to therapy. Periodically, we will check in to see how we are doing in treatment and when you are ready to end treatment

CLINICAL FOCUSES

SERVICES

“Every brain is different. And so must be every course of therapy” – Wendy Walker

It is important to understand that therapy is a process, and naturally will take time. This is because every human being is different, and “one size does not fit all.” For some, long term therapy (which can be more than 1 year) is helpful and that is what they are looking for, which is perfectly fine. Others, short term (approx. less than 1 year) and brief therapy is as effective as long term therapy. My therapy approach tends to be short term solution focused oriented. This is why Jose has chosen to specialize in the following treatment modalities:

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a specialty type of therapy. Jose is trained in both Level 1 and Level 2 in accordance to EMDRIA standards. EMDR works on decreasing symptoms and behaviors related to traumatic events by reprocessing strong emotions evoked from an event or a strong unpleasant experience. Rather than “talk about it, talk about it and talk about it,” in a safe space, EMDR treatment holds on to a piece of the memory, simply noticing your response to holding onto that memory, involving left-right eye stimulation, working much faster than the talking way (of course talking is permitted, but does not require a lot of talking nor does it require to specifically recall and talk about every detail of the traumatic experience), when other “traditional” talk therapies have failed, EMDR might be helpful. Read more about EMDR here.

*** Because this is a specialized training, make sure to ask your therapists where they received their training. The proper training protocol requires Level 1 (3 days) and Level 2 (3 days) trainings along with 10 consultation hours with a certified EMDR therapists. You can ask your therapist to see certificates (2) if and should be able to supply that to you. More information go to www.emdria.org

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

It is a form of psychotherapy practice that focuses on modifying our thinking patterns (how we think, our thought patterns)have the potential to influence how we feel (emotional reaction to our perception/thoughts), and what we do (which is the behavior resulting from our thoughts (whether positive or negative thoughts) influencing our emotions, consequently how we behave or act upon.

CBT is educational, collaborative-directive approach. We work on issues during our session, and you are giving “homework” to practice in between sessions in order to actively participate in treatment and changes that you want to make for yourself. Unlike other forms of “talk” therapy, your therapist is actively engaging with you in session, and wants active participation in session from you. It is expected that you will take an active role in your treatment, this means, you have to be willing to make changes in your life.

Affirmative Psychotherapy LGBTQ

Through this treatment approach, as your therapist, we work together towards self-acceptance regarding who you are (spirituality, sexual orientation, cultural humility, relationship status {open/close/monogamous/polygamous}, do not need to use labels to discuss acceptance) and do not diminish nor focus on “changing you.” We embrace you and work together to explore different stressors impacting your emotional well being while honoring who you are as a WHOLE person. It is important to remember that your sexuality does not define who you are as an individual; and with that in mind, we focus on everything else about you while appreciating the diversity that humans have to offer to each other and to yourself.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP is an employer-sponsored benefit offered to you by your employer. The purpose of EAP is to provide short-term interventions to assist employees with managing life situations (i.e., relationship issues, substance use, social emotional issues) which affects employee performance. EAP services are brief oriented and is not considered long term therapy. An assessment is conducted to evaluate what your needs are; short term interventions are provided, which may include case management (linkage and referral services to community services, parenting classes, long term counseling, substance use treatment and support groups, etc).

In order to use your EAP benefits, please make sure to call your EAP and do the following:

• If you would like to see Jose for counseling, let your EAP know. Your EAP will let you know if I am contracted with them.
• Your EAP will give you an authorization number to provide during your initial appointment.
• Ask your EAP how many sessions you are approved for and what is the expiration timeframe for the authorization

KNOW MORE

INSURANCE & FEES

Note on EAP’s: you must call your EAP provider and request to see a therapist. Your EAP will provide you with an authorization number. You need this number in order to not be charged for your therapeutic services. Also, keep in mind that for EAP, you should not be charged since it is a service provided by your company.

BENEFITS OF IN-NETWORK/OUT-NETWORK INSURANCE

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

Using your health insurance and trying to understand your benefits can be very confusing. This is why I believe it is important to be transparent with you.

Seeing an “in-network” provider means savings for you. It means that I have agreed to work with your insurance company, submit claims for you, and bill the insurance on your behalf. It is a lot more affordable that seeing an “out of network provider.”

On the other hand, if you are seeing an “out of network” provider, you pay more money (often your insurance only reimburses you a specific low percentage), you submit your own claims and you have to deal with the insurance companies. You will ONLY get reimbursed if you have “out of network benefits”.

To determine if you have behavioral and/or mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier.

Check your coverage carefully and ask your insurance carrier the following questions:

What are my outpatient (office visit) mental health benefits?
What is my copay?
Do I have coinsurance? Do I have a deductible to meet?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Is Jose Guerra, PsyD, LMFT an in-network provider with my plan?

Call to make an appointment: 818-770-6147

Call 911 if this is a life threatening emergency

BE INSPIRED

USEFUL RESOURCES

NEW-CLIENT INTAKE & REGISTRATION

Before you come in for your first appointment, please click on the Intake arrow below to complete paperwork online. This will save you time and ensure that your session starts on time.

Make an Appointment Here

NEW-CLIENT INTAKE & REGISTRATION

Before you come in for your first appointment, please download, fill out and sign the pdf New Patient Intake Forms.Bring these completed, signed forms, when you come for your first appointment. This will save you time and ensure that your treatment starts on time.

Make an Appointment Here