My name is Ricardo Peña and I am a licensed therapist based in California. What led me to enter the field is my upbringing. I grew up in a city with the highest homicide rate of its time. I constantly saw violence and death. Even so, my experience allowed me to delve deeper into finding my true essence, which I now help my clients find. Doing the work on myself, then doing the work in my communities, I can say I practice what I preach as a clinician. Ultimately, I have over 12 years of experience working in the community as a clinician, a consultant for adolescent trauma efforts, as well as spearheading restorative justice and trauma informed practices. I am passionate about mental health and I am committed to helping you identify problems and create tools that will assist you in achieving your goals. I will support you in removing barriers to growth and change, so you align with your most authentic self! By centering the mind-body-being connection, I have a holistic approach with my clients to help create an individualized plan that works best for you. Some of the modalities I practice are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and strength-based perspective therapy. Ultimately, I am dedicated to providing a space that is warm, compassionate and accessible, where you feel safe to explore the ways in which you can build a more fulfilling life. You deserve to get the life you want and I cannot wait to help you achieve it.