AVA CÁZARES · MS · LMFT
Ava Cázares, M.S., LMFT
AVA CÁZARES · MS · LMFT
I'm Ava
Licensed Psychotherapist,
Immigration Evaluator & Published Author
There was a time in the field of psychotherapy when it was believed that a 'good' therapist was a 'blank slate'
Believe it or not, therapists used to be trained to deflect personal questions from clients, avoid self-disclosure, and remain as neutral and apolitical as possible. I hold myself to a higher standard.
But why?
I work with communities who already walk through the world in survival mode. This is not their choice, either— it is a learned response to racism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia, etc, causing fear, hypervigilance, and mistrust in others. I choose to self-disclose my personal beliefs as a way to signal safety to clients and mark my office as a safe space where the '-isms' of the world will not be replicated nor tolerated.
But aren't therapists supposed to be objective anyway?
You would surely think so, but this assumption would invalidate the real accounts of discomfort, shame, and judgment that clients have experienced at the hands of mental health professionals.
I don't want there to be any mystery as to what I stand for, so I offer it here.
A little bit about Ava, the professional...
I earned my Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from UCLA and my Master's of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy (Clinical Psychology) from USC.
Before opening my own boutique private practice, I worked in community mental health and non-profit settings, serving children, adults, couples, groups, and families.
Some of my most cherished work has involved communities who are traditionally stigmatized and underserved in psychotherapy, including foster children, immigrant families, and formerly-incarcerated individuals.
For the first 4 years of my career, 95% of my caseload was Latinx/Hispanic clients and 100% of them received low-cost psychotherapy from me.
& a little bit about Ava, the person...
I am a proud Mexican-American, originally from Riverside, CA. I'm a progressive voter and fierce defender of reproductive rights, no-nonsense gun laws, queer rights, and protections for immigrants. Despite the arguments it might get me into, I am a believer in the statement 'therapy is political'. And yes— I mean it when I say I get into arguments.
When I am not clocked-in, I am drinking excessive amounts of caffeine, listening to Ana Gabriel, studying astrology (I'm a Libra), watching horror films or the Sopranos, and laying down in my grandparents' sala talking chisme.
I am an eldest daughter and the cycle breaker of my family. I was raised with a scarcity-mindset when it came to money and career, often leading me to settle, keep my head down, and not ask for anything more. I took a major chance on myself when opening up my own private practice, despite the fear, intimidation, and criticism I faced. As you read this, you are watching the cycle being broken!