Emily Perez (she/her)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #126512

SERVICES I OFFER

In-office and virtual sessions for:

  • Family therapy

  • Individual therapy (teens)

  • Parent support therapy

SPECIALTIES AND FOCUS AREAS

  • Death of a pet

  • Grief and loss

  • Life transitions

  • Sexual assault

MY APPROACH

I believe the client is the expert on their own experiences and that the way we think about things can affect feelings and behaviors. Through therapy, I hope to help my clients increase awareness of their own thoughts and feelings and find new ways to solve problems.  In sessions with clients, I enjoy learning about my client’s hobbies, interests, and strengths. I believe it’s important to get to know a person, not just what their problems are. I think especially for teens, this is a critical component in therapy. 

I primarily practice person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In addition to these primary modalities, I also have training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing. While I lean towards evidence-based therapy and am scientifically minded, I keep my communication style with clients informal and use humor when it’s appropriate. 

ABOUT ME

When I am not working, I can be found spending lots of time with my husband, our daughter, and our pets (one cat and one dog). I am a total nerd and enjoy playing video games, watching horror movies, doing puzzles, and playing card games with friends. In the past I volunteered rehabilitating wildlife, so I also enjoy bird watching and spending time outside. 

THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES I AM TRAINED TO USE

  • Gender affirming care

  • Humanistic therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Motivational interviewing

  • Person-centered therapy

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (trauma-informed)

  • Crisis intervention

  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

  • Family systems therapy

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • MA, Counseling from Palo Alto University

  • BA, Psychology with a Minor in Human Development from UC Davis

  • Level 1 TEAM- CBT certification

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Therapist at Teen Therapy Center

  • Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee/Associate at the YWCA Silicon Valley 

  • Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Bill Wilson Center 

  • Volunteer Sexual Assault Counselor at Rape Trauma Services 

AREAS OF CONCERN I WORK WITH

  • PTSD

  • Self-esteem

  • Self-harm

  • Stress and stress management

  • Suicide (attempted, ideation)

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Death and preoccupation with death

  • Depression

  • Family Conflict

  • Gender and sexuality

  • Perfectionism