Grazel Garcia, Founder of GGPA

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in the heart of Atwater Village, Los Angeles.  (California LMFT License #97561).

A little about me…

Prior to my work as a therapist, I attended law school and spent many years working in the legal field.  I took a major shift in my career and received a Master of Science Degree in Counseling with Emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Northridge.

Previously, I worked at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in Hollywood where I completed all my intern hours.  I provided psychotherapy and psychosocial wrap around services to the LGBT community and treated issues from depression to schizophrenia including homelessness and helped individuals with HIV.  While at the LGBT Center, I treated relational issues with couples, created and facilitated psychotherapy groups such as addiction groups (e.g. intensive outpatient recovery groups and harm reduction groups for men and women), recovery groups for women and mindfulness groups to help with depression and anxiety.  To read more about group therapy that I currently facilitate or to join please visit our psychotherapy groups page.

How different am I from other therapists?

As a person of color and with my diverse background, I have a vast understanding of different types of oppression.  I have experienced what it is like to feel different, confused, misunderstood and marginalized.  I welcome issues surrounding oppression other therapists have difficulty understanding and processing with people of color and interracial couples including biracial individuals.

My own life struggles and experiences combined with my education has given me the WISDOM that creates a therapeutic space of safety, empathy, compassion and understanding of your own experiences separate from mine.

You can call me at 1-(323)-487-9003  for a free phone consult or we could book you a session by clicking here.

How do I work as your therapist?

As your therapist, I create an empathic, welcoming and non-judgmental therapeutic environment to help you feel comfortable and safe in our work together.  I place an importance on what works for you best and I  use a variety of therapeutic techniques from psychoanalytic approaches to evidenced-based practices including mindfulness-based practices.  

The integration of these therapeutic approaches will help you understand the connection between the mind and body.  You will learn to deconstruct maladaptive ways of thinking and behaving and begin constructing adaptive ways of coping to life stressors. You will learn sensory-based skills that will help you become mindful and present in your moment to moment experiences.  You will learn skills that will make you less reactive to the effects of past trauma and prevent you from regressing to old patterns of behavior and unhealthy ways of coping to stress.

Areas of Interests/Specialties

• Specialties:
  • Couples — Emotionally-Focused Therapist (EFT Therapist)
  • LGBTQI Community — (LGBTQI Affirmative Therapist)
  • Families — Emotionally-Focused Therapist (EFT Therapist)
  • Trauma — (Brainspotting Therapist)
  • Addiction including Sex and Love Addiction (Addiction Therapist)
  • Domestic Violence/Anger Management (Domestic Violence Certified Therapist)
  • Teens
• Areas of focus:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety; OCD Issues; Phobias
  • Death and Dying
  • Health Anxiety due to Medical Illness
  • Trauma
  • Gender Identity (including WPATH-standard letters for gender confirmation surgeries)
  • Relationship Expert (Open Relationships/Poly Relationships; Infidelity issues; Sexuality Issues, Sex Issues).

I received trainings in:

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy, a treatment modality used for couples, individuals and families (currently in multi-year certification training process);
2. Psychoanalytic Treatment Modality – Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a treatment modality used for clients with Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, and Trauma;
4. Brainspotting, a treatment modality used for patients with Post Traumatic Stress
5. Seeking Safety, a treatment modality used for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction;
6. Crisis Oriented Recovery (CORS), a treatment modality used for patients in crisis situations;
7. Mindfulness Meditation trainings and certifications; Mindfulness practitioner since 2009;
8. Domestic Violence certified therapist; and
9. LGBTQI Affirmative therapist

I am a member of the following associations:

Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA)
Los Angeles Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy
The International Centre for Excellence of Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)

Workshops

In addition to my private practice work, I teach and hold workshops on mindfulness and multiculturalism in annual conferences.  Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and couples retreats.  If you want to receive notifications of upcoming events, please leave me your contact info by clicking here.

Mindful Walking-Based Therapy

I offer walking mindfulness-based therapy or “mindful walking” to those who are interested in managing and decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma by utilizing body sensations and movement techniques.  Please note:  this treatment is not for everyone.  Patients must undergo a thorough assessment and a series of therapy sessions to determine whether this treatment is right for the patient.

My ideal patients are those who are ready for change and ready to take action. I like working with patients who are committed to attaining personal growth and value the gift of therapy.  If this description fits who you are, please give me a call for a free 20-minute phone consult at 1-(323)-487-9003 or click here to book a session.

In therapy, we will heal wounds and face challenges together.

Your goal is my goal.  I am here to help you find ways to decrease self-destructive behaviors and develop healthier ways of coping through life’s perplexities and help you lead a rewarding life.