Education and Background: Vanessa earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University, where she received comprehensive training in family systems. In 2024, she became an independently licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) after completing thousands of face-to-face therapy sessions. She possesses in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by today’s youth. Since 2018, Vanessa has served FL families in various capacities, including therapeutic mentor, discharge planner at crisis units, and community clinician. She has led groups aimed at empowering teenagers and the LGBTQAI community and has provided crisis support to caregivers at higher levels of care within the community. At Revive Family Counseling, her focus has been on assisting couples, families, and children who are dealing with relationship issues and life transitions. Vanessa has been a valuable member of our team for over a year.

Experience and expertise: Vanessa is compassionate and empathetic, creating a safe and welcoming environment that encourages individuals and families to share their views and work towards understanding and resolving conflicts. She aims for everyone to leave her office feeling acknowledged and encouraged. Vanessa is dedicated to assisting children, teenagers, young adults, and couples by devising personalized interventions for each person and family unit. She is a proponent of altruism, culturally competent care, and supports the youth in developing healthy relationships and setting proper boundaries. Her areas of expertise include working with couples, blended families, addressing grief, bereavement, trauma, and supporting the LGBTQAI community as an ally.

Modalities: Vanessa employs a Bowenian/Collaborative approach, highlighting the impact of multigenerational systems and providing solutions tailored to each family’s needs. She advocates for strength-based care that fosters hope and purpose, drawing on each family’s collective strengths and abilities. She focuses on planting seeds of confidence, setting attainable goals, and using mindfulness strategies to alleviate anxiety and depression. Vanessa also frequently uses Narrative Therapy to help individual clients process their life stories, organize events for better understanding, and tap into their self-empowerment. For couples, Vanessa applies evidence-based techniques like the Gottman Method, Attachment Theory, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. These methods are instrumental in helping her clients comprehend, acknowledge, and mutually appreciate their differences, paving the way for a harmonious and fulfilling life together.

Personal Development and Hobbies: Vanessa values self-care and is passionate about teaching others techniques for soul enrichment. She views personal development as a continuous journey and embraces her role as a perpetual student. Committed to advancing her career, she actively pursues further education in marriage and family therapy. Her leisure activities include beach outings, painting, solving puzzles, and cherishing moments with her two Tabby cats, Joey and Chandler.