PAOLA PATEL, AMFT
Senior Assocaite
she/her
Curiosity and Transformation​
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Reaching out for help may not always come natural, but it takes courage to honor the instinct to change. Perhaps you have arrived at a place where curiosity has sprung and you are ready to explore why you are seeking guidance?
I would be truly honored to create time and space with you on this path to transformation.
My therapy journey began with my certification in Yoga Therapy C-IAYT and my own healing process in attending therapy personally. I have also been in a place of feeling depleted, unsatisfied, and lost in life.
Experiencing the benefits of mind-body connection through therapy, inspired me to be a part of the collective ripple to personal development.
WHY I BECAME A THERAPIST...
CLIENTS I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH?
As a Latine immigrant and member of the BIPOC community, my work is deeply personal and rooted in lived experience. I am passionate about supporting Latine and other marginalized women as they navigate trauma, identity, and the many roles they hold. I create a compassionate, culturally responsive space where women can feel seen, understood, and empowered to reconnect with their strength and voice. I offer sessions in both Spanish and English to help reduce barriers to care and honor each client’s unique cultural background.
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I am also committed to providing LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive care. With warmth and intention, I support clients experiencing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and the lasting impact of trauma. Together, we work toward healing, self-compassion, and meaningful change—at a pace that feels safe and respectful of each person’s story.
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Top Challenges I Work Best With:
- Women's Issues
- Anxiety
What does starting therapy look like?
If you are interested in working with me, please call us at 949-329-5233 or fill in the contact form below and a representative from our office will get back to you to see if I would be a good fit for your needs.
If it is deemed we are a good fit, you will receive your intake documents through your email to be completed electronically in the client portal of our electronic health record. There will be about 6-8 pages to sign in order to begin services, including informed consent forms, intake questionnaires, demographic questionnaires, and credit card form, etc. The exact forms will depend on the treatment service and the need for counseling.
What can I expect in a first session?
During the first session, I will cover the practice policies and go over your intake questionnaires to ensure we have a good grasp for establishing treatment goals. The first session will be used to gather more information about yourself (or your relationship with your partner), your relationship with the problem at hand, and establishing clearly defined goals for treatment, as well as establish therapeutic rapport to ensure a comfortable space for your continued growth in treatment.
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Associate Marriage and Family Therapist registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the state of California
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Supervised by Dr. Melanie Gonzalez, PsyD, LMFT
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Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University
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Member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)
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Yoga Therapist C-IAYT
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Reiki Master, Usui & Karuna
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Brainspotting Phase 1 & 2 Trained
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Trauma-informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) level 1
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Trained
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Yoga Nidra
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LGBTQIA+ & Transgender Affirmative Care Trained
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Bilingual Spanish
MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
How do I help you reach your goals?
Under the supervision of Dr. Gonzalez, I utilize a person-centered, holistic approach to help support you in your transformation to a better whole health.
My holistic approach to therapy encompasses the connection between mind and body. In other words, instead of purely focusing on thoughts and beliefs that brew in the mind, we explore where they also live in the body.
Mindfulness, release of pent up energy or stagnation in the body, and an exploration of distorted beliefs are a few examples of what may occur in the healing process. The synergetic flow that protrudes within the space, is also part of the container of evolutionary growth.
We focus on your personal goals, how to reduce the symptoms of your concerns, and how the therapeutic process can help empower you in your day to day life.
As a bilingual therapist I offer the option of guiding therapy in Spanish. I utilize an integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic, and experiential ‘parts’ work, all through a somatic-mindfulness lens. I also offer Brainspotting as a form of processing trauma.
If you feel ready to experience life differently, perhaps this is your sign!
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Wondering whether you should start now or later?
Change can happen one small step at a time. In fact, you arriving on this page is a true testament to your motivation for change. Starting today will get you closer to feeling relief and seeing change sooner. It takes only a small step to send an email, but that one step can have massive impact on your life. Take that step today to help yourself reach your goals.
I honor you for being honest with yourself in acknowledging the time for change. If any of these words rang true to you, I invite you to take the next step and reach out. Whether it is with me or another therapist, I trust you will find your path to healing and transformation.
You can book a consult call below to explore if I am the right therapist for you.
Thank you for reading, I look forward to connecting with you.
Fees for Services
$200- Individual Counseling
​​I offer in person (Fountain Valley, CA) and telehealth services.
I offer a few limited sliding scale opportunities.
I can provide a Superbill to anyone using a PPO health insurance plan for partial reimbursement.
