Natalia Garcia Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Inc.

With curiosity and patience, I work to build a calming, safe environment for you to explore difficult or challenging topics. Once we have the foundation of a trusting relationship, therapy is an opportunity to build insight into how your experiences impact your choices and relationships. Together, we will work to bolster your existing strengths and identify your personal needs. In sessions, we will balance the need to process emotions with the need for take-home skills that you can apply in your daily life. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with specific training in addictions. I have a variety of training and years of experience, but ultimately I truly believe that our ability to work with each other will be my ability to understand you. You were created perfect, whole, and complete. Let's use this to get you back on track. When you are ready, don't hesitate. Asking for help is difficult, but something we all need from time to time. Asking for help takes courage. Take the next step for YOU. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** I am also an authorized CalGETS Provider for the State of California and UCLA Gambling Studies Program. I am able to provide confidential, individual therapy to people with gambling addiction and family members affected by gambling addiction at NO COST to you beginning with a block of 8 sessions. Gambling is based on random reward, which is extremely seductive. Recovery will require patience, which is difficult for compulsive gamblers, as they constantly seek instant gratification and the big win. We will manage gambling triggers, including boredom, restlessness, and lack of excitement, and learn to cope with discomfort in healthy ways. You and your family have experienced overwhelming financial and emotional devastation. Gambling addiction is unlike any other addiction, as gambling promises to solve all of your problems if you just do it long enough. One small win can wipe out all the pain of losing. People with alcohol and drug addiction don't drink or use believing that it will allow them to pay the rent, get out of debt, or do it professionally; gamblers have this hope and belief every time they place a bet. Like alcohol and drug addiction, compulsive gamblers build tolerance over time and require ever-increasing amounts of money and risk to get high. It doesn’t matter if they’re in it for the adrenaline, the action, to chase the money they lost, or to escape reality; they will always need more: more time, energy, and money. Because they need increasing amounts of money to support their addiction, compulsive gamblers often act in desperation to stay in action, leading to the destruction of careers, homes, personal finances, and family relationships, and ultimately leads to extreme feelings of hopelessness and despair. It's time to rediscover hope and experience peace in your life, and I look forward to working together to make it happen. Family Members and Loved Ones Affected by Gambling Addiction are also eligible for FREE sessions. Anyone close to a person with a gambling addiction experiences the pain and destruction of their actions. Gamblers create financial and emotional devastation that can feel endless, as the lies pile up one after the other, contributing to increasingly intense anger and resentment. I want to share something essential: I often hear from family members that everything will be fine if they can just get their loved one into treatment and if the gambler stops gambling. This may happen, but it will be challenging if the family member hasn’t worked through their pain, anger, and resentment. I’m not saying that you have a problem with codependency. I’m saying that after all you’ve been through, you’re deserving of healing, support, and protection from the chaos and insanity of gambling. We will work through your feelings and learn to develop healthy boundaries, effective communication skills, and how to practice self-care. Gamblers can make you feel as though you’re losing your mind; we will work together to restore your sanity and increase the possibility that your loved one will get help for their gambling addiction. Virtual sessions are available for clients throughout California. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPG/Pages/opg-landing.aspx