Marilyn Ramirez-Torres, LCSW

Marilyn Ramirez-Torres is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with nine years of experience in mental health services. She works with adults facing a range of challenges, including trauma and abuse, LGBTQ+ related concerns, grief and loss, motivation and self-esteem struggles, depression and anxiety, as well as borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder.

Her approach emphasizes the client as the expert of their own life story and builds on existing strengths to address what feels most difficult. Marilyn encourages clients to recognize and use their capacities as tools for change, guiding them through practical strategies and compassionate support. Taking the first step into therapy can require courage, and she acknowledges that decision while offering steady, nonjudgmental assistance as people begin their work.

Marilyn aims to create a collaborative therapeutic relationship that helps clients explore symptoms, clarify goals, and develop coping skills that fit their daily lives. Her practice is grounded in evidence-based therapeutic techniques and a belief in the client-therapist partnership as central to meaningful progress.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Care

Marilyn commonly uses trauma-informed care to help people understand and work through the impact of traumatic experiences - this approach focuses on safety, empowerment, and building coping skills to manage distressing memories and reactions. She also employs a strengths-based approach that centers the client's existing resources and abilities, helping clients draw on what already works for them to pursue recovery and change. For clients coping with loss, Marilyn incorporates grief-focused support to help process emotions and adjust to life changes.

Determining the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Marilyn works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and practical needs, then tailors techniques that align with those priorities. Clients and therapist explore what feels most helpful and adjust the plan as therapy progresses.

Online therapy offers flexibility for scheduling and for the ways people prefer to communicate. Sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it possible to keep therapy consistent around work, caregiving, or other commitments. Working with licensed professionals in these formats can make it easier to access ongoing support from wherever the client is located within the therapist's service area.