Gricelda Fragoso, Psy.D. "Dr. G"
INTEGRATIVE Clinical Psychologist
Certified Neuropsychotherapist
MY APPROACH
As a deeply relational person, connection with my clients is vital. I’ve spent years striking a balance between emotional investment and professionalism. These are hard values to balance but one of the many ways I model that you can do difficult, worthwhile things. Connection is the foundation of any successful therapeutic relationship. And so, in the beginning, I will focus on relationship-building as much as I will on clinical acumen and support.
Like any good clinician, I want to understand your challenges and barriers to progress. Addressing the root of your presenting problem(s) anchors the work we will do together. We initially work on intolerable symptoms but eventually engage in deeper work to reach the core of your suffering and produce lasting change.
It is common for me to briefly investigate the early life experiences that shaped you. I identify the patterns in your life and mind-map you, meaning, I connect how your mind works. I provide lots of psychoeducation to increase your awareness of how your attachment style, your nervous system, and, if applicable, your trauma, affect your thinking, emotions, and behaviors. From there, I tailor therapy to address your unique needs. Other than the Daring Way and Rising Strong curriculum, I do not offer a structured approach, instead trusting the unique process that unfolds. Everything important eventually comes to the light! Throughout our journey together, I will often assign various customized assignments that keep you actively working on yourself or your problem in between sessions.
I am here to connect with you, to provide a safe space for exploration and examination, to understand you, connect the dots for you, and to guide your self-discovery and empowerment. I hold hope for you when you've lost yours and I join your journey, wherever that may take us, honoring your courage, heart and trust. Along the way, I heavily focus on the relationship you have with yourself, for without self -love, -care, and -respect, you are likely to get in your own way.
As an integrative clinician, I work from the framework that you are mind, body, emotion, and spirit. Our work together moves toward reclaiming neglected/rejected parts and bringing them into harmony with your whole self. I may refer to complimentary integrative professionals and collaborate with your psychiatrist if you have one and so desire. I employ a broad spectrum of traditional and alternative therapeutic techniques to fit your unique needs and personality.
Some of my clients have heard of, read or listened to Brené Brown and want to apply her wisdom to live more authentic, courageous, and wholehearted lives. As a Certified Daring Way™ psychologist, I am trained to help individuals implement Brené Brown's transformative work into your life, be it through a therapy group or, as is more typical, through individual therapy.
Over the years, I have noticed that adults with childhood trauma or significant emotional injuries have an even more challenging relationship with themselves. This led me to get certified in trauma work and combine it with Brene Brown's research to help such adults heal and become the person they need for themselves in present life.
MY IDEAL CLIENT
My ideal client not only wants to feel better, they also wants to have a positive relationship with themselves and feel more connected to others. To achieve this, the client is willing to be truthful with themselves, understanding that their growth lies in how honestly they show up in therapy. They are motivated to do their personal work, understanding that the vulnerability it calls for can be challenging. They don’t just want change, they are willing to work for change. They are open to feedback about themselves and are flexible enough to consider new perspectives. They are willing to take a diagnostic test, if necessary, to help me understand things about them that they may not be aware of and thus not be able to report to me.
MY TRAINING
I received my Bachelor's degree from the University of California Irvine in 1998 followed by my Doctor of Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 2006. My therapy training is informed by Contemporary Psychodynamic theory - a very relational, insight-oriented model, not to be confused with Freud’s classic psychoanalysis.
In 2014, I completed The Daring Way™training with Dr. Brené Brown's team to become a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator. Following my passion for healing childhood wounds, I became an IATP Certified Clinical Trauma Professional in 2017. To further my competency in trauma work, I completed a certification in Neuropsychotherapy in 2023.