The patterns stop with you.
A culturally responsive space for driven professionals to break free from chronic anxiety, navigate high-stress life transitions, and build a future that is truly theirs.
In-Network with Anthem, Blue Shield of California, and Aetna.
Hi, I’m Rafael Cazares, LMFT.
Bilingual Therapist | Son of Immigrants | First-Gen Grad
On paper, you’ve made it. You broke the mold, climbed the corporate ladder, or built the business.
But internally, you’re stuck in overdrive.
As the son of immigrants and a first-generation graduate, I understand the heavy, silent weight of trying to balance your cultural roots with the relentless, day-to-day demands of high-pressure fields. My own journey wasn’t a straight line—I know firsthand the exact mix of fear and freedom that comes with redefining who you are and choosing a completely different direction in life.
I believe the real work begins when we show up authentically. I bring my genuine personality, direct honesty, and heart into every session so we can handle the messiness of change together.
I provide a warm, grounded, and identity-affirming space for adults who often feel like they are the first in their circles to build a new blueprint. Together, we will move past the exhaustion of "just getting by" and start drafting a path that is finally, authentically yours. Read more about my journey
Areas of Clinical Focus
I provide specialized individual telehealth therapy across California, with a strong local anchor in the Inland Empire, proudly serving Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, and surrounding areas.
1. Chronic Anxiety, Overthinking & Silent Pressure
Living on default high alert and constantly waiting for the next crisis.
When you are a deep thinker trying to carry the weight of everyone else's expectations, your mind never truly gets a break. The cognitive load is exhausting. You find yourself trapped in relentless imposter loops—second-guessing your professional decisions, replaying conversations in your head, and fighting the persistent belief that if you drop the ball for even a second, everything around you will collapse.
This unspoken mental pressure eventually takes a physical toll. It shows up as tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or a hollow knot of dread in your stomach before the workweek even begins.
I help you quiet that inner critic, close the open tabs in your brain, and clear out the heavy background stress keeping you trapped in your head.
2. Mental Friction & Executive Overwhelm
Spinning your wheels despite working incredibly hard.
When your system gets overloaded by an anxious mind, it paralyzes your daily focus and pulls you into avoidant loops.
For some, this looks like hiding behind long hours at work or procrastinating on tough tasks. For others, especially men, it looks like a constant need for movement and busy work to outrun the quiet, or escaping into endless scrolling and gaming.
Together, we target the specific overlap between chronic stress and executive dysfunction, building practical behavioral strategies to get your traction and daily focus back.
3. Relationships, Identity & New Parenthood
Getting stuck in rigid, defensive cycles at home.
When you spend all your emotional energy navigating a high-pressure career, managing a 24/7 logistics grid, or dealing with the exhausting bureaucracy of public service and education, you might find yourself completely shutting down or snapping in frustration at the people you love.
Whether you are navigating dating, managing partnership dynamics individually, or facing the heavy identity shifts of early parenthood and fatherhood, I help you break down automated patterns.
As a male clinician with advanced training in maternal and perinatal mental health, I provide a rare space for men and expectant parents to figure out how to be steady teammates without a clear family blueprint.
My Approach
My perspective is deeply shaped by a systemic lens, which is exactly what being a Marriage and Family Therapist is all about. While my advanced training includes couples counseling frameworks and perinatal mental health, I choose to work exclusively with individuals. I have found that the most profound relationship change and generational healing starts when one person decides to step out of the old loop and change how they show up.
I do not look at your anxiety, mood, or habits in isolation. Instead, I look at how your history, childhood conditioning, workload, family dynamics, and daily routines all connect.
Our sessions are collaborative, active, and deeply human. We balance meaningful, present-moment exploration with intentional, evidence-based frameworks to help you experience real relief:
Processing the Past with EMDR: We don't just talk about your past; we actively change how it affects your body today. By utilizing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), we work to process family baggage, stressful life events, and rigid cultural expectations so you can drop the defensive armor, step out of survival mode, and breathe a bit easier.
Managing Anxiety with ACT: When anxiety hits high achievers, it often looks like an exhausting need to micro-manage your environment or stay in constant motion. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and targeted CBT strategies, we train your brain to safely tolerate the quiet, helping you drop perfectionism and stop using endless busy work as a shield to run from discomfort.
Navigating Transitions with Gottman & Perinatal Training: Using tools drawn from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) applied to individuals, we break down rigid relationship patterns. Backed by specialized training in Maternal and Paternal Mental Health, we navigate the massive emotional shifts that come with building a family, helping you find your internal compass.
Practice Status and Fees
Space on my schedule is balanced between in-network insurance clients and private pay clients to keep specialized care accessible to the community.
In-Network Insurance: Fully credentialed with Anthem, Blue Shield of California, and Aetna. Your copay or deductible will be verified prior to our first session.
Standard Private Pay: $150 per 50-minute session. Good Faith Estimates are provided to all private pay clients per federal law. Monthly PPO Superbills are available for out-of-network reimbursement.
Sliding Scale Options: $110 to $130 per session. A limited number of slots are reserved for independent business owners, students, or clients facing true financial hardship.
Format: Secure, HIPAA-compliant Online Video Therapy (Telehealth) throughout California.
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Clinical Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #150588). Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Northridge.
Schedule a Consultation
A free, low-pressure 15-minute call to discuss your goals and see if we’re the right fit to work together. Secure your slot online from anywhere in California.