I Support the Latinx Community Through Culturally-Informed Mental Health Care

Learn About Me & How I Can Help

Anakaren Galarza, ALMFT

Bilingual Psychotherapist

Hello, my name is Anakaren Galarza, and I’m a bilingual psychotherapist at Latinx Talk Therapy. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor( LPC) and an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist( ALMFT). My clinical approach is Eclectic, which means integrating different therapeutic approaches based on each client’s needs. Some of the Evidence-Based Therapeutic approaches I utilize are Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy( CBT), Person-Centered, Family Systems Therapy, and Structural Family Therapy. I use a Strength-Based approach to empower clients to identify their strengths and positive attributes, and ultimately achieve change and improve their mental well-being.

I am dedicated to helping Couples develop and nurture successful relationships. To help Couples increase respect and intimacy, ultimately creating a space for honesty and understanding within the context of their relationship. When it comes to working with families, I am dedicated to helping family members understand patterns of interactions and determine what changes need to happen for a strong family unit. When it comes to working with individuals, I will work towards gaining a deeper understanding of who you are and help you build on your strengths to achieve your goals.

You Don’t Have to Face Your Struggles Alone, I Am Here to Help

As a Latina Counselor, I understand the distinctive cultural experiences and challenges faced by individuals in the community. I am dedicated to providing therapy in both English and Spanish. The therapy process is unique to every individual based on their experiences, how they process emotions, and what their goals are. I believe that building a strong therapeutic relationship with clients is important in the therapeutic process. My goal is to create a warm, non-judgmental, and safe environment where my clients can feel supported, heard, and understood on the challenges that they are encountering. I am committed to providing culturally appropriate therapeutic services that fit each individual.

Get to Know A Little Bit More About Me

I was born and raised in Chicago, and am a proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. Growing up in a Mexican Household has influenced and deeply impacted who I am today. I am a first-generation college graduate. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Millikin University and my Master’s Degree in Couples and Family Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University.

Growing up in a Latinx community, I witnessed several factors that have contributed to a higher risk of mental health struggles within the community including Cultural Stigma, Language Barriers, and Socioeconomic Stressors. I decided to enter this field with the intention that one day, I would be able to contribute to the community by providing the necessary tools to reach a healthy state of mind. Being part of the Latinx Talk Therapy team, I hope to make a difference in the community by providing a safe and empathetic therapeutic space for clients to enhance their mental well-being.

My Specialties

I am bilingual( English/Spanish). I have experience working with children (Aged 10-17), individuals (Aged 18-50), couples, and families from different cultural backgrounds. Some of the presenting concerns that I have Experience with are: Anxiety, Depression, Stress Management, Bipolar Disorder, Anger Management, Parent-Child Relationships, Pre-marital, Relationship issues, and Trauma. I have Training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I am certified in Gottman Method-Level I. Furthermore, I conduct psychological evaluations that can be helpful for immigration cases dealing with Extreme Hardship Waivers, VAWA, DACA, U-Visas, and T-Visas.