Cienna Palos

I believe your struggles can be used to find new strengths.

Are you living with the feeling that “something” is constantly wrong—even if you’re unsure what it is? You might be afraid to make mistakes, constantly striving (and sometimes overextending yourself) to be sure you’re not “failing” or falling short. The fear of disappointing others dictates everything you do, and you often find yourself saying “yes” when you’d really like to say “no.”

Maybe you’ve experienced a loss of some kind—whether the death of a loved one or a different kind of transition—and it’s shocked your whole world…and you’re trying to figure out who you are now.

Sometimes, we can become so overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, or self-doubt that it’s almost paralyzing. We start to lose the belief in ourselves that we are capable of overcoming this thing we’re facing, leading us to feel stuck and uncertain of what to do next.

The stronger our ability to be in the present, the happier we will often be in life. In therapy, I’ll support you in learning to be in the moment and enhancing every area of your wellness (including physical and spiritual, too).

My Background & Approach

As your therapist, I’ll take the time to truly understand your story. I view you as the expert in your life and our partnership as sacred, something that’s a vital ingredient to your growth. We’ll work together to tackle whatever is standing in the way of the vibrant, fulfilling life you deserve.

I believe your time is valuable, and I design therapy so that every session can be meaningful and useful for you in day-to-day life. My approach is person-centered—meaning I let you lead the direction of our work together—and I incorporate elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and mindfulness based on your needs and goals.

I also recognize the ways that other parts of our identity influence and contribute to mental health. I know this firsthand as both a Mexican-American woman and a person of faith. All parts of you—your cultural background, your faith and spirituality, all of it—are welcome here.

I received both my BA in Psychology and also my MA in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. I have diverse experiences in mental health, beginning my career working with children, teens, adults, and couples at Azusa Pacific University Community Counseling Center. I also have experience in academic settings, serving private school students from TK through 8th grade. In these roles, I was able to work with clients individually and in group settings, as well as provide psychoeducation to clients and students on a variety of mental health topics. I am Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1 trained and SBIRT and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale trained.