Chelsea Lopez, ACSW
Associate Clinical Social Worker | Working Under Supervision
Specialties
Intimate partner violence & domestic violence
Sexual violence and post-assault support
Grief and loss
LGBTQ+ identity, affirmation, and exploration
Stress management and burnout
Generational and intergenerational trauma
Who I Work With
I am a therapist committed to creating an equitable, affirming, and collaborative space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. I work with adults, children, teens, and LGBTQ+ clients, offering a therapeutic relationship grounded in curiosity, compassion, and respect for your lived experience.
I support people who are navigating moments of uncertainty, transition, or pain whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or simply a place where your story is honored. My practice welcomes:
Individuals processing trauma or major life changes
Children and teens learning to understand their emotions and experiences
LGBTQ+ clients seeking identity affirmation, safety, and belonging
My goal is to meet you exactly where you are and walk alongside you at a pace that feels right.
About
“I believe healing is not linear. It is a process of returning to yourself, and it’s never too late to begin.”
My therapeutic style is open, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that you bring wisdom, resilience, and insight into the room. I honor what you carry into the space and work with you to find pathways that support, uplift, and strengthen your sense of self.
I often describe therapy with me as a conversation that invites moments of silence, reflection, and choice. You lead the way, and I serve as a co‑pilot offering perspective, noticing patterns, and helping you navigate the turns ahead with intention and care.
My approach is shaped by the multidisciplinary work that led me into this field. I began my career in child welfare, supporting children and families through trauma, crisis, and transitions toward safety, wellbeing, and permanency. I’ve supported survivors as a clinician in a sexual assault clinic ensuring their medical and mental health needs were met and helped them build a long‑term plan for healing.
Beyond clinical settings, I’ve spent years working within my community from volunteering at domestic violence shelters in New York City to working abroad at a nonprofit organization supporting children, particularly young girls impacted by violence. My therapeutic style is a patchwork of the healers, mentors, and communities that have shaped me.
My “superpower” comes from my clients. While I bring clinical experience, training, and grounding in trauma‑informed care, the heart of my work is the privilege of getting to know you: your strengths, your story, and the parts of yourself you may have forgotten. I see therapy as a space where you can reconnect with who you are, not just who you’ve had to be
Off the Clock
Off the clock, I’m usually moving whether I’m training jiu‑jitsu, dancing, hiking through Los Angeles, or discovering a new restaurant.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - New York University
Masters of Social Welfare - University of California, Los Angeles
Certifications
Somatic Therapy
EMDR - in process
Motivational Interviewing
Trauma-Informed Crisis Intervention
Safety planning and stabilization practices