About Percy

I am a child of immigrant parents, from México and El Salvador, who moved to the United States for opportunity. I grew up in a small, conservative town in Southern California, where I lived with my religious immediate and extended family. Like many Queer, second-generation folks of color, I struggled with belonging and self-acceptance regarding my Queerness, mixed cultural identities, and bilingualism throughout my childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood. In 2003, I attended community colleges where I studied Psychology and Deaf Studies. It was there that I found my community via an on-campus LGBTQIA+ club and continued my process of self-love and acceptance. 

After completing an Associate’s Degree in 2006, I transferred to California State University, Los Angeles, in East Los Angeles. It was then that I pursued volunteer opportunities--serving people living with HIV/AIDS, survivors of intimate partner abuse, and the DeafBlind. I also volunteered on the National Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2007, I worked with people living chronically homeless and with severe mental illness. I knew I wanted to work in the helping profession, but I was not certain what degree to pursue. After working on a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, I decided to pursue social work because of its value of social justice. 

In 2009, I moved to the Bay Area to pursue a master's degree in social work at the University of California, Berkeley. While there, I trained with adolescents in the psychiatric hospital, Willow Rock Center, and with clients of all ages at La Clínica de La Raza. In 2011, I graduated with a Master’s in Social Welfare. After graduating, I continued my associateship at La Clínica de La Raza, where I specialized in treating monolingual, Spanish-speaking people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2014, I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and shortly thereafter I joined Kaiser Permanente. There, I helped develop the Behavioral Medicine Services (BMS) program in Pinole, and expanded the BMS program in Richmond. I supported thousands of patients with acute, chronic, and terminal challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, I left Kaiser Permanente to pursue full-time private practice where I am now. Over the last 17+ years in the mental health system, I have worked with thousands of people across many walks of life 

I am fluent in English and Spanish, and am proficient in American Sign Language (ASL). I am formally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT), and culturally responsive approaches working with Queer, Trans, People of Color (QTPOC). Throughout my practice, I have learned to integrate techniques from other treatment modalities, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy (NT), Existential Psychotherapy, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Liberation Psychology, and more. In April 2024, I will be certified in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy and Research from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). 

Along my journey, I have learned the importance of self-care and co-care by participating in my own psychotherapy, support groups, dance therapy, music therapy, completing a kink-based mentorship program, and reading self-help books. In my personal time, I enjoy dance, exercise, board games, reading, travel, cycling, nature, and much more. 

*All nature pictures on my profile were taken by me during nature walks*​

I identify as an integrative therapist with an orientation toward the existential and transpersonal.  I am radical, queer, spiritual, sex-positive, kink-aware, poly-supporting, body-centered, and aligned  with social/restorative justice values. 

I invite you to be your authentic self and to be honest about what brings you to therapy during our initial consultation. If there is a topic you wish to  discuss, but are uncertain of my clinical experience on the  matter, please discuss it with me during our initial contact. I have learned and re-learned the importance of grounding in compassion, curiosity, humility and respect. This has allowed clients  to openly share their strengths, as well as their struggles, in a safe,  supportive relationship. I, too, have learned the importance of  facilitating structure, skills, and reciprocal feedback when requested  and/or required. This has allowed clients and myself to be accountable,  empowered, and challenged in order to achieve their goals in therapy. I remain  conscious of ancestry, systems, culture, spirituality, and resiliency,  and how these elements contribute to your process.  

On our first visit you can expect us to discuss your intention(s) for  therapy in more depth, and explore whether we are a good fit to address these intentions. Once affirmed, we will review completed forms and set the  framework for our psycho-therapeutic process moving forward. I can answer  questions you may have of me and I will begin to ask questions to  explore your hopes, your current situation, and your history. You can expect some time to be dedicated in each of our first sessions  to explore your history because it is important for me to learn about  your past , and desired future, as it is related to the work we will do together. During the course of therapy, I rely on the individual needs of my client, their inner healer, the available evidence-based practices I have learned, my intuition, and our therapeutic relationship to move in the direction of your goals.