meet your therapist: Jessica Del Rubí Vásquez, lmft
Specializing in Anxiety, Depression & Trauma
I wear different hats, I am a mother, a wife, an artist, a singer, and maybe your therapist. I have dealt with a difficult childhood and transitions all the while I kept trying to heal. When I had my daughter, I experienced post-partum depression and lost my father around that time. These experiences were painful and have provided me with a deep understanding and empathy for what you may be going through at this time.
I was born in Los Angeles, California, but my parents and I went back to El Salvador when I was 2 years old. Growing up I saw how domestic violence took over my family and the incredible pain that caused all the children in the home. As a young girl, I did not know how to cope with all of my emotions and distress and then, I discovered the power of music and it became my coping mechanism.
I did not come back to the United States until the summer of 2009 to pursue a career. That is the day where my dreams and objectives started to expand and so did the challenges. It was hard to leave everything behind even though I kept in mind it was for my future, my passions, and my loved ones. Fear took over my life for such a long time because I did not know English and I was alone in a new country, surrounded by people I did not know at all and I felt scared. However, I started to take English as a Second Language after a month in the US. At the same time, I started working while I was going to school full-time. I moved several times trying to find a safe place to live.
I finished my English as a Second Language classes and embarked myself in a special journey: Music. After obtaining my AA degree in music, I was accepted in California State University, Northridge where I obtained my Bachelor Degree in Psychology (minor in Family Studies) and Master Degree in Counseling Psychology, Option Marriage and Family Therapy.
Wait, how did you pursue an education in psychology/counseling when you have a background in music? that is a question I get quite often.
Human behavior and how experiences shape us had always intrigued me and became curious since I discovered the healing aspect of music. Music provided me invaluable skills such as the ability to communicate, to apply ethics, to work successfully as a team, and to listen intently to what others have to say without judgement. In music there is a need of surrender, professionalism, love, and discipline. In a performance, a musician is often required to react and adjust to an unexpected event in a quick manner. Managing stressful events is a big part of music like in our lives. This is how music has prepared me to work with you collaboratively and do my best to help you work through your goals.
When appropriate, I incorporate my passion for art and music with clients while honoring their creativity choice. I have found that you can make the process of healing more bearable when you use your passions as coping techniques, just like I did when I was a child.
…Let’s go back to learn more about my education on mental health.
For my culminating Master degree project I develop a 3-day psychoeducational workshop curriculum called Inter-Generational Child Maltreatment in Latinx Families. This curriculum was designed to teach Latinx families how child maltreatment occurs and is passed on throughout generations. I gathered pre-existent research that provided evidence that there are several ways to break the cycle of generational child maltreatment.
I had the opportunity to work at a trauma center where I provided crisis intervention for families that had experienced sexual abuse and/or domestic violence. I also provided crisis intervention at a crisis line.
My experiences as a child led me to discover the world of psychotherapy. I want to help clients to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I felt I was alone as a child and I do not want you to be! You do not have to. Isn’t that amazing!
MY APPROACH
My approach is client-focused and strength-based. We work together to reach your goals.
My approach encompasses the importance of developing coping skills and creating a strong collaborative experience so that you express the hurt and the life experiences you came with. I specialize in working with individuals and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma who would like to break generational cycles that may have contributed to these experiences. My treatment is informed by the Gottman Method for couples, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma-focused cognitive therapy.
A closer look into my life
I am a Salvadoran therapist and grew up in Santa Ana, El Salvador since age 2.
I came to the US in 2009 without knowing English and without family to rely on.
I speak fluently in Spanish and English.
I believe in:
Treating others with pure respect and kindness, in the arts as a way of expression and healing. I believe in the healing power of music and that humanity is inherently good. I believe that people can change if they want to and that there are more good people than bad people in the world. I believe nature and animals are the most beautiful things to share the world with.
I value:
Truth, love, and emotional connection. I value and feel incredibly honored to be chosen to be part of my clients’ journey. I value each day I am on this earth to continue trying to better myself, my mental health, and to help others’ circumstances easier to bear.
I’m not about:
Minimizing people’s experiences, supporting an oppressive system in our society, supporting violence towards humans and animals. I am not about judging others for not doing what I do or believing in what I do.
in my free time, you can find me:
Singing, making art for my side hustle, hanging out with my family, playing with my daughter, listening to cumbias and rock music, taking a walk, exploring new vegan restaurants and veganizing any food I am craving.
daily rituals:
Singing, singing, singing.
how i can support you
Individual Therapy
This is a space for you to learn how to overcome obstacles to reach your optimal well-being. Increase positive feelings, such as self-esteem and confidence. You can also learn skills for dealing with difficult situations and better intra-personal and inter-personal relations. Become aware of your power and resiliency, and be on your way to change the cycle of unhelpful patterns!
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Couples Therapy
Often couples have the same arguments over and over again, never fight to ignore the problems, have physical and emotional intimacy problems, and lack of trust and effective communication. Increase your knowledge on what is underneath your conflict and gain insight into your relationship to resolve it. Improve your connection and satisfaction with each other by increasing your friendship and intimacy, as well as creating a shared meaning with one another to reduce conflict.
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EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS & CERTIFICATIONS
A.A. in Music - Voice Performance, Los Angeles City College
B.S. in psychology with a Minor in Family Studies, California State University, Northridge
M. S. in Counseling Psychology, option Marriage and Family Therapy, California State University Northridge.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California
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WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
you don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to start changing cycles?
Don’t hesitate to reach out by using my contact information or through the form below. I provide a 15-minute FREE consultation to assess if I am the right therapist for you!