Fellow traveler. Professional ally.

Hi there! I’m Rafael Cazares, LMFT.

As a first-generation Mexican American professional, my work is centered on helping you honor your cultural values while releasing the patterns that no longer serve you. This journey is about the courage it takes to be truly seen and the universal human need to feel worthy of love. I bring my full personality and warmth to every session to help you move from survival toward a life where you truly belong. We will navigate the messiness of change together so you never have to walk that path alone.

My perspective is shaped by the different roles I inhabit. My former career in IT gave me a systems lens. I naturally value clarity, purpose, and a roadmap for change. However, my most important roles are as a partner and a parent. Living through these life transitions keeps me grounded in the daily reality of family responsibility. I understand the pressure to perform and the struggle to find your own voice in the middle of it all. I don't just teach relational health; I live it in the work of my own connections. My goal is to help you build the practical skills to navigate your internal world so you can show up for the people who matter most with grounded strength.

The Pillars of My Approach

Personal Health: Psychological Flexibility & Processing

We focus on mapping your internal world and practicing the skills needed to lead it with intention. Using ACT, we learn to identify and unhook from the noise of overthinking and anxiety. For those who need to address deeper or stuck experiences, I incorporate EMDR as a specialized processing option. The goal is to move from reacting to your stress to building a steady and grounded foundation.

Relational Health: Attachment & Communication Skills

When you understand your own internal landscape, you can show up for others with strength rather than defense. Informed by EFT and Gottman research, we don't just talk about your relationships. We build the specific communication skills needed to express your needs and create secure trust. We work on the practical side of connection so you can be the partner and person you want to be.

Culture & Identity: Breaking Cycles

We honor your heritage while looking at the family expectations that may be weighing you down. We identify the cultural scripts and Modern Machismo patterns you are ready to rewrite. We work together to bridge the gap between where you come from and the future you are actively building for the next generation.

Clinical Expertise & Credentials

• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT #150588)

• M.S. in Counseling, California State University Northridge

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Advanced clinical training and ongoing professional consultation in Contextual Behavioral Science.

• EMDR Trained: Specialized methods for processing trauma and the physiological symptoms of anxiety.

• Relational Specialization: Completed the EFCT (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy) Externship and Gottman Method (Level 1 and 2) training.

• Integrative Skill Building: Drawing from CBT, DBT, MI, and Hakomi to help you manage intense emotions and build somatic awareness. I also incorporate behavioral strategies to improve focus and navigate the common overlap between anxiety, trauma, and executive functioning.

Professional Alignment & Memberships

I stay connected to these organizations to ensure my work is grounded in the latest research and specialized care for the communities I serve.

• ACBS – Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACT & Mindfulness)

• ICEEFT – International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (Relational Health)

• APA Division 51 – Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities

• PSI – Postpartum Support International (Perinatal & Paternal Mental Health)

• CAMFT – California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists