Meet Christy Garcia

We recently connected with Christy Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Christy, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often defined as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, reflecting mental, physical, or emotional toughness. This capacity largely stems from our earliest relationships with our caregivers, who ideally should have been attuned to our needs. For instance, if your caregivers responded appropriately to your cries as a baby—understanding whether you were hungry, tired, or needed comfort—this taught you that your needs mattered and that you were safe. As you grew, if they provided comfort and support when you were hurt or struggling, this further reinforced your sense of resilience.

But what if your caregivers were absent, mis-attuned, or even abusive? This can make developing resilience more challenging, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. While some people naturally cultivate resilience despite difficult upbringings, others might need the support of caring relationships or long-term therapy to build this capacity—and that’s perfectly okay.

Resilience can also be nurtured through other meaningful relationships, such as with a supportive teacher, coach, extended relative, faith community, or a close friend. These connections can help you feel safe, valued, and capable.

Personally, my resilience was tested by early challenges like open-heart surgery, being made fun of as a kid for having white spots on my skin (also know as Vitiligo) and later, receiving and overcoming a cancer diagnosis. While these experiences tested my resilience, I was able to overcome them, heal and grow with the help of a skilled therapist trained in EMDR (which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in addition to encouraging doctors, supportive and attuned parents, my faith background, and my family and friends.

If you feel your resilience is lacking, it’s never too late to cultivate it. Reflect on the relationships in your life—past and present—that have provided support and encouragement. Strengthen those connections where possible, and consider seeking therapy if needed. Remember, building resilience is a journey, and it’s okay to ask for help along the way. You deserve to live a life equipped to handle its challenges.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist I currently own and operate a private practice where I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression and trauma. I’m also trained in EMDR and offer it as am option to help individuals overcome painful life events and traumatic experiences. I offer in-person therapy at my office in Chula Vista in addition to online counseling for California residents. My approach to therapy is rooted in the understanding that each person’s struggles are unique, so I tailor therapy to meet your specific needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all method.

I focus on exploring what has happened to you rather than asking the question, “what’s wrong with you?” Together, we’ll uncover the reasons behind your challenges and work toward healing.

I primarily work with adults who have experienced anxiety, depression or trauma (whether recent or past). I also enjoy helping teenagers overcome the same issues as well as working with couples to strengthen their relationships. My passion for this work comes from personal experience—I understand how isolating and overwhelming traumatic experiences can be, and I’m here to guide you through it.

I also have a special heart for working with fellow Christians* who may feel pressured to have it all together or believe that prayer and Bible study alone should resolve their struggles. If you’re feeling stuck, know that you’re not alone, you’re not bad for struggling, and there’s hope.

*While I am a Christian and can incorporate faith-based values into therapy upon request, I welcome clients from all backgrounds and will provide a safe, non-judgemental space where your values and beliefs are respected and honored, regardless of our differences.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are grit, personal healing through therapy, and training in trauma-informed care.

1) Grit: Facing serious medical diagnoses and undergoing major medical procedures, like open-heart surgery or cancer, requires immense courage and determination. The strength to endure those challenges has been crucial in my journey.

2) Personal Healing: My own therapeutic journey, starting in college when I was diagnosed with PTSD from early trauma, provided me with essential coping skills. This foundation of healing, especially through EMDR therapy, was invaluable when I later faced another serious surgery. It strengthened my resilience and prepared me to face life’s trials.

3) Trauma-Informed Training: Although I initially aimed to work with couples, my path led me to focus on assisting people in overcoming traumatic experiences, particularly through my work with at-risk foster youth and survivors of sex trafficking. These experiences deepened my understanding of trauma and its profound impact on individuals, shaping my approach as a trauma therapist.

For those early in their career, my advice is to cultivate resilience, seek personal healing, and be open to where your path leads you. These experiences will equip you with the strength and knowledge to support others in their healing.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who feels trapped by their past, struggling with memories they can’t escape and emotions that seem impossible to control. You may find yourself overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, depression or grief, often feeling isolated in your pain because you’re pressured to “just get over it” and move on. Panic attacks might hit you out of the blue, leaving you feeling helpless and fragile. Despite these challenges, you have a strong will to live and a deep desire for peace and control over your emotions and memories. You’re ready to feel better and are seeking the support to get there.
If this sounds like you, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support whether to me or another trained professional. I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation, which is an opportunity for you to get to know me and ask some questions before booking your initial appointment. It’s a chance to discern whether I may be a good fit for your needs. And if, at the end of our conversation we decide not to work together, I’m happy to provide referrals to other trusted therapists that I think may be able to help you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chulavistacounseling.com
• Instagram: @christygarcialmft
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-g-55774377/
• Other: https://headway.co/providers/christy-garcia?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=65942

Image Credits

Joe Garcia, Photographer