Expressions of the Heart

Welcome to Expressions of the Heart, a compassionate private practice founded by Vanessa E. Baron, MS, LMFT-140107. Our mission is to offer professional and accessible mental health services for individuals, couples, and families, with a particular focus on supporting low-income communities and people of color.

At Expressions of the Heart, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can explore their emotions, navigate challenges, and find healing through personalized therapeutic approaches.

Vanessa E. Baron, our dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, brings her expertise, empathy, and culturally sensitive approach to each session. With a deep commitment to fostering growth and empowerment, she collaborates closely with clients to address a wide range of issues and achieve positive, meaningful transformations

About Me

Hello, my name is Vanessa Estrada Baron, and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. I identify as a first-generation Latina, heterosexual, cisgender woman. I'm passionate about working with BIPOC families, couples, and individuals. Additionally, I am an ally to the LGBTQIA+ and undocumented/DACAmented communities. I hope we can work together in finding meaning and feeling satisfied with where your life is heading.

I can be more family-based and consider all identities when conceptualizing any problems you may present. I also utilize a range of evidence-based therapies, including sand tray interventions, art therapy interventions, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy with an anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach. These approaches allow us to build a therapeutic connection and give us a roadmap in this therapy journey. As we work together, there may be some wounds that are uncovered brought on by childhood trauma, intergenerational trauma, societal injustices, or any other significant events that you’d be willing to explore. I hope to provide a safe space to process your feelings and would be honored to be a tool for you.

Aside from being a therapist, I am a wife, I am a mother to a one-year-old daughter, I am a daughter of two immigrant parents, I am a sister to a brother and sister, and I am someone also healing from my own internal struggles. Some of my self-care includes hiking, playing video games, playing Legos with my daughter, taking baths, and spending time with my parents. I am looking forward to meeting you! Asking for help is not easy, so if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, a recent loss, anger, internal or external conflict, or you’re looking to find meaning and are seeking help, I can already tell your resilience!

Specializations & Modalities

My specializations are with kids, teens, families, couples and adults struggling with anxiety, family conflict, intergenerational trauma, immigration issues, and self-exploration. I have 6 years working with dual-diagnosed (i.e. mood and psychotic disorders and substance abuse) adults in residentials and outpatient programs. I have 5 years working with teens, kids, and families clinically. I have the most experience working with Latinx communities but of course am open working with all communities.

In regards to my evidence-based practices, I am person-centered by default which essentially places a huge focus on the client and what they need at every session. Due to my person centered lens, I tend to be open with my structure and base it on what the topic or feeling is coming up for you at the moment. For example, if you'd like to talk about your past we can or if you'd like to talk about what is happening now, we can. I have a huge belief in allowing a safe space for you to come as you are without any sense of judgement. Right now I am only providing telehealth but there are ways to include the following modalities virtually which is sand tray interventions, art therapy interventions, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. A lot of those interventions we would need to get creative and would take coordination but the benefits to these expressive interventions is to further allow space and time for you to process your emotions and traumas.

I also utilize interventions from other evidence based practices such as dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy, family focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and solution-focused therapy. A lot of the time I base it off what you need to reach the goals you set for yourself. At times, we are in need of structure so of course if we are in need of a more structured treatment, we can plan for this too. I look forward to treatment planning with you!

Services

Individual Therapy

Individual Therapy (50 minutes): $120 dollars

Individual therapy is for one-on-one and 50 minute sessions. Individual sessions are usually weekly but could be biweekly based on need. At our initial session, we will start by getting to know each other and creating goals. In the following sessions, we will problem-solve and process your thoughts and feelings that will lead towards reaching your goals.

Family Therapy

Family Therapy (45 minutes): $100 dollars

Family therapy can include siblings, parents, cousins or family friends. Whoever you consider family, blood or not, can be included in these family sessions. Our initial session will include the creation of a genogram and collection of generational issues and strengths. The following sessions we will work together in reaching the goal as a family.

Couples Therapy

Couples Therapy (45 minutes): $100 dollars

Couples therapy can include yourself and your partner. At our initial session, we will dive into your couple's story and how it led to where you are now. We will create rules and goals as a team. In the following sessions we will work together in reaching the end goal.

Accepted Insurance

Cigna
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Optum
Kaiser
Optum

Get in Contact

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