Yvette Lopez,LMSW, LCDC-I, PhD Candidate Farm Response Certified

Welcome! I’m Yvette Lopez, MSSW, LMSW, LCDC-I, and PhD Candidate.

I am a PhD candidate in Walden University’s Clinical Social Work concentration, a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (LCDC-I), and Farm Response Certified. I am also bilingual in English and Spanish and welcome clients who prefer to receive services in either language.

Throughout my career, I have worked with diverse individuals and communities in settings that include behavioral health programs, residential treatment for adolescents and adults, substance use recovery services, transitional housing, correctional environments, and university- and community-based support programs.

In addition to my clinical and community-based work, I have remained deeply involved in advocacy related to food access, environmental justice, disaster preparedness, public health, and community resilience. These experiences inform my whole-person approach to care. I recognize that mental health is shaped not only by individual experiences, but also by relationships, family, culture, work, housing, access to resources, environmental stressors, and the communities in which we live.

I was drawn to social work and psychotherapy through my commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities as they navigate life’s most difficult challenges. My experience across clinical, behavioral health, residential treatment, transitional housing, correctional, educational, nonprofit, and community settings has strengthened my belief that healing happens when people feel respected, understood, and supported without judgment.

I provide counseling services to adolescents, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, emotional regulation difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and substance use challenges.

My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strengths-based, and collaborative. I recognize that every individual has a unique story shaped by personal experiences, family relationships, culture, identity, and environment.

For adolescents and teens, I strive to create a supportive environment where young people can express themselves openly, develop confidence, strengthen communication skills, navigate peer and family relationships, and learn practical tools for managing emotions. I also recognize the importance of involving parents and caregivers when appropriate while respecting each young person’s developmental needs and confidentiality.

For adults, I provide a compassionate space to explore emotional challenges, process difficult experiences, navigate relationships and life transitions, establish healthy boundaries, and develop strategies that support long-term emotional well-being.

I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and honor the expertise you bring to your own life. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I will work with you to create an approach that feels respectful, practical, and meaningful to your needs, goals, and values.

Taking the first step toward counseling can feel overwhelming, whether you are seeking support for yourself or for your adolescent or teen. I believe everyone deserves a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where they feel heard, understood, respected, and supported.

Together, we can explore challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen emotional resilience, and work toward meaningful personal growth.

I understand that reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you are coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, substance use concerns, family conflict, major life transitions, or the effects of difficult experiences.

My goal is to provide a compassionate, culturally responsive space where you can speak openly, explore what is weighing on you, and identify practical steps toward the life you want to build.

My approach is strengths-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered. I believe each person carries resilience, insight, and the capacity for growth—even during times when those strengths may feel distant. Together, we can identify patterns that no longer serve you, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen emotional well-being, and build on the resources already present in your life.

Supervised by Dr. Jennifer Vasquez, LCSW-S at Inspired Practice LLC

Yvette Lopez, MSSW, LMSW, LCDC-I, PhD Candidate