Adriana Naranjo, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Specialties
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)/Domestic Violence
Abuse
Trauma (including Complex-PTSD and PTSD)
Stress
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
First-Generation Experiences
Latinx Experiences
BIPOC Issues
Anxiety
Depression
Who I Work With
BIPOC teens and adults to navigate past, present, or anticipated stressors, guiding them towards relief, empowerment, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
About
I work towards reducing the lasting impact trauma can have in people’s lives by empowering them to break free from trauma, the cycles of unhelpful patterns, and intergenerational trauma. This helps people and communities get stronger and makes the world a healthier place too.
I do what I do because I believe in the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of therapy. I am dedicated to creating a safe and compassionate space where my clients can explore their pain, process their emotions, and discover better ways of living and thriving.
I became a trauma therapist because I deeply empathize with people who have faced profound adversity. My passion is helping people heal from past traumas, feel safe and empowered again, and ultimately, reclaim their lives.
I specialize in working with individuals who have endured trauma, whether it’s from childhood abuse or neglect, intimate partner violence, or other challenging experiences. My clients are courageous individuals striving for healing, understanding, and a brighter future. Through trauma-informed therapy, I aim to guide them on their path to recovery, helping them rediscover hope and inner strength every step of the way.
In a therapy session, I am compassionate and attentive, actively listening to my clients’ concerns and stories. I offer insights and gentle challenges when appropriate, guiding clients toward deeper self-awareness and understanding. I use a strengths-based approach to help clients recognize their resilience and potential for growth. My therapeutic style is empathetic, client-centered, and trauma-informed. I emphasize creating a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, experiences, and challenges at their own pace. I encourage open communication and collaboration, where clients feel heard and understood. Together, we explore difficult emotions and experiences, fostering growth and resilience. I integrate approaches tailored for trauma recovery, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to tailor treatment to each individual’s needs.
I have honed my ability to teach and guide clients through effective techniques for managing trauma-related symptoms and triggers, such as emotion regulation and grounding exercises. These tools are essential in helping individuals navigate their healing journey with greater resilience and stability. Something that sets me apart as a trauma-informed therapist is my understanding of how trauma impacts individuals physically, emotionally, and psychologically. I recognize the pervasive effects of trauma on the brain and nervous system, as well as its long-term implications on mental health and well-being.
Off the Clock
During my downtime, you'll often find me at the gym, dedicated to refining the connection between my mind and body through exercise and movement. Outdoors, I'm like a botanical maestra, passionately caring for my garden—whether it's nurturing plants, propagating new ones, or delicately transplanting them to thrive in new spaces.
But what really gets me buzzing is skincare for melanated skin! It's not just a passion; it's a mission to educate and empower. Knowing how to nurture our skin is transformative—I only wish I'd discovered these secrets sooner!
Education
San Francisco State University (SFSU) - M.S. in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling with an emphasis in College Counseling.
University of California, Irvine, B.A., Psychology and Social Behavior, B.A., Chicano/Latino Studies
Certifications
Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) Group Facilitator
57.5-Hour Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Training
EMDR Institute Basic Training
Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1 Training: Bridging the Couple Chasm
Motivational Interviewing