Ilianna Luna
Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual Therapy / Counseling
Do you feel stressed and want to make a change, but find yourself feeling reluctant to fully open up and even turning to destructive behaviors?
Life is not simple. It is a journey that takes us through many ups and downs, some of which we are able to navigate through with confidence, while others can take us to a place of stress, anxiety, and depression that we don’t seem to be able to get out of. Underlying limiting beliefs can surface when we are faced with challenging situations, many times leading us to self-sabotage and make not so healthy decisions. There are many reasons why someone would seek therapy. Maybe you have reached a point where something has to change because of an extreme feeling of unhappiness. Maybe you need to talk to someone and gain a different perspective on your situation. Whatever the reason, it can be hard to know where to start. That's where I help.
The following are some common issues I help my clients with:
Unhealthy behaviors you may be experiencing:
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isolating yourself, emotionally/physically
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over-eating or under-eating
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alcohol and/or drug use
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excessive shopping or spending
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developing superficial relationships instead of real connections
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mood swings, unable to concentrate
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"caregiver fatigue"
These will eventually take a toll not only on your emotional and mental health, but also on your finances and physical health, causing high blood pressure, heart conditions, and other serious issues.
How I Help
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I provide support and guidance to help people who are ready to take their life in a new direction. It’s all about gaining insight to allow for healing and growth, so you can move toward self-improvement and achieve positive changes for a more fulfilling life.
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I provide a comfortable, confidential space where you can open up without fear of being misunderstood or judged. Therapy is a chunk of time to focus on you. It is a gift you give to yourself.
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Therapy provides long-lasting benefits. I help you gain the tools you need to learn self-reflection and avoid triggers and damaging patterns whenever you are faced with a difficult situation, therefore, giving you the confidence to be yourself, which is the key to meaningful relationships.
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Change takes work. I recognize that it takes courage to imagine a better life and actually do something about it. The first step is taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change your situation. Counseling provides the guidance and support you deserve to give yourself.
Relationship and Family Problems
Arguing and fighting with the people we love can make us feel unbalanced and uneasy. When you are hurt by a loved one, you may react in different ways, for example, by shutting down emotionally, having angry outbursts, or emotionally cutting the person off. Although you can be triggered into emotional chaos by others, you have more power than you think to overcome these harmful reactions. I can help you learn ways of dealing with these troubling emotions and respond to your loved ones, instead of reacting. I help you feel empowered to improve your relationships during individual therapy and be assertive in your own life, including letting go of hurt and anger for your own wellness.
Stress and Anxiety
Experiencing varying levels of anxiety is a normal response to everyday stressful situations and big life events. For example, speeding as you're late for work and getting pulled over by a cop can create anxiety. Having a new baby can create a mix of emotions, including anxiety. Stress levels fluctuate depending on your ability to manage emotional situations and responsibilities. Anxiety can overcome a person suddenly or become a regular mental state due to periods of prolonged stress. Stress and anxiety become a problem when they interfere with the everyday functioning of your home, work, or social life. Whether you are seeking relief from stress or anxiety, there are many tools I can teach you to help you manage and feel better. The key is finding one or more tools that make sense to you and can be made into habit. You have taken an important first step by seeking help and with practice you can experience relief from your stress and anxiety.
Depression
Some people experience varying levels of depression that may occur due to a specific experience or set of events. Sometimes people may not know why they feel depressed, but they know they feel a persistent sad mood, sense of hopelessness and worthlessness, and disinterest in things they once enjoyed. Mild, chronic depression, called dysthymia, is characterized by a gloomy mood and usually lasts for years. Major depression is a mood disorder that includes other symptoms such as eating or sleeping too much or too little, suicidal thoughts or preoccupation with dying, fatigue, and loss of concentration.
Grief and Loss
Grief is a natural reaction to losing something or someone of significant importance and emotional attachment. If you have experienced a loss, you may be having reactions such as anger or mood swings, sadness or depression, increased sensitivity or agitation, isolation from others, fear of death, excessive worrying, or other feelings. Grieving is an experience that has no time limit and no set rules. It is important that you allow yourself to feel any and all feelings you have as a result of loss, as they will manifest in unexpected ways later on. I offer a safe, confidential space where you can fully open up and gain peace of mind.
Substance / Alcohol Abuse and Relapse Prevention
(Drug / Alcohol Addiction)
There are many theories on how to treat substance abuse and dependence, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), 12-Step Program, Motivational Interviewing (MI), medication combined with behavioral therapy, and Multidimensional Family Therapy. There is no "one size fits all" when addressing as complex an issue as addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (a division of NIH), in its review of research since the 1970s, states that effective treatment consists of a "customized treatment regimen" and emphasizes the importance of social support to assist with relapse prevention. Many times, substances once served an important purpose in my clients' lives to help them cope with pain, whether physical, emotional, or both. If you are struggling with substance abuse and feel like those substances have overstayed their welcome in your life, you are taking an important first step by thinking about seeking help. I provide comprehensive treatment that addresses my clients' emotional and mental health needs, physical health needs, and spiritual needs. I help my clients take back their lives.