Norma Villalobos, LCSW, MSW

What should your client know about you?

I was born and raised in Southern California, the middle child of immigrant parents from Chihuahua, Mexico. I have my B.A. in Sociology, my Master’s in Social Work, and licensed since 2015. I approach my work through a bicultural, trauma-informed lens, providing clients with tools to understand behaviors for effective treatment in a safe environment. I am fluent in English and Spanish. I enjoy spending time with my family, as well as traveling to new places, listening to music, and being in the outdoors.

What is your approach to therapy?

I use an integrative approach, which combines elements from various therapeutic techniques to create a tailored treatment plan for each client’s unique needs. I believe it is important to look at the different parts of ourselves, past and present, in order to become free and transform. Through a trauma-informed lens, I use different techniques in my work such as: Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Psycoeducation, Seeking Safety, Motivational Interviewing, and Grief Therapy. Through the use of these techniques I help guide client’s towards identifying cognitive distortions, creating realistic goals, identify and manage feelings, incorporate mindfulness practices, understand what activates certain behaviors/thoughts, prioritize self-care, and increase self-awareness.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Trust and connection is key to any relationship, especially a therapeutic one. Therefore, I believe that empathic listening, caring, and warmth are essential for creating a safe space for clients to express themselves fully. I will always try my best, and when my best does not meet your needs, I have the humility to accept that.

What was your path on becoming a therapist?

I did not always know I wanted to be a LCSW. In fact, I did not discover what a LCSW was until I was applying for graduate school. However, I was always drawn to roles where I was working with people in a caring role and was told I was “easy to talk to”. My wanting to do more for the people I worked with in helping them heal, grow, and problem solve, sprouted my interest in graduate school. As I searched for different counseling programs, I found that the Social Work field was the perfect fit for me because it provided a broader, more extensive focus than other counseling degrees.