Ernesto Zepeda, Doctoral Intern

My style is built on creating meaningful connections and building awareness around our earliest memories, experiences, and relationships, recognizing that this trifecta has impacted the way in which we have psychologically developed and in turn, understand ourselves, others, and the world. All of us have core beliefs and parts of ourselves that we hold near and dear. My focus becomes centered around taking these as fundamental elements of one’s being and viewing them as an opportunity to learn something about ourselves in a warm and self-paced style with the goal of fostering the change we want to see in the long-term.

I see the therapeutic relationship between myself and my clients as one based on gathering trust, unconditional positive regard, empathy, and connection. The emotions we experience in our work together are ones I invite us to grow curious about, because I believe that emotions are a gateway to our inner psyche. It is through the existence of our emotions that we can attune to earlier and present versions of ourselves.

I utilize object-relations and psychodynamic thinking and approaches to my therapy, inviting you to go deeper with the emotions we feel and exploring the stuck feelings that may arise. I integrate my modalities through a primarily talk and process-oriented approach, noticing your reactions and mine, while acknowledging the power of more up-and-coming therapeutic styles based on body awareness and mindfulness. This time is yours. Therefore, I consider your beliefs, identities, and values as informative to our work where and when relevant. Therapy invites us to look at vulnerability, and it is my hope we can do it together. You deserve to be seen, heard, and valued.