Hello! I am an Independently Licensed therapist and have been working in the field for over 10 years. I am a Trauma Informed Clinician and have worked with individuals that suffer from a wide array of mental health issues from PTSD to depression and anxiety and everything in between. One of my specialties is working with individuals that struggle with Personality Disorders. Being a Life Coach in situations that are appropriate is also something that I am happy to do.
My style is client centered and I truly believe that each person is the expert in their own life. My skills include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral, CPT, TIC, MI, and I am huge on Mindfulness. I have been in the field for so long and have been told I am not the most traditional therapist; I am okay with that as I appreciate that there will be a different strategy that works for everyone and through exploration and getting to know one another we can find that together. Not every situation will call for intense interventions and life skills and coaching is also very meaningful.
I know reaching out is a huge step and just being here today shows that you are ready and you believe you are worthy and YOU ARE!
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Self esteem, Coping with life changes, Antisocial Personality, Avoidant Personality, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent Personality, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Social anxiety and phobia
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NM LCSW C-11119
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Bernice Varela. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Bernice Varela, is great in many ways. She is compassionate, caring, does not push, but will give recommendations with explanation. She is very excepting of my beliefs, and helps me with understanding how people are. We all have bad times both in personal and in professional lives. I am glad Bernice is human and shows that side of life is ok, because she has those times as well.
Written on Mar 31, 2023 after therapy with Bernice for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
I like this because it's hard foorr me to talk to someone
And she makes me feel better for just talking about my problems
Written on Apr 04, 2022 after therapy with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Bernice is great! She gives advice. She listens. She gives examples, worksheets and activities or exercises to try.
She’s also great in pep talks.
She’s smart and cool!
Written on Mar 24, 2022 after therapy with Bernice for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
She rocks!
Written on Jan 14, 2022 after therapy with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, and addictions
Bernice is an amazing therapist. I’ve made so much progress with her in a short time and she’s very knowledgeable, insightful, and easy to talk to.
Written on Dec 27, 2021 after therapy with Bernice for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching
Bernice is literally one of coolest and most down to earth people I have ever met. Not to mention she has a talent for listening, taking in how your feeling, and opening you up to different doors to explore the different layers of your feelings. Every time we have a session, I feel like she really cares, and I haven’t felt that feeling with many other therapists. Kind, sweet, wise cracking, and just has a giant heart to help humanity. I can’t recommend Bernice enough, because of her guidance I have I have grown so much. And week by week we are working on that continual growth. When she see’s me win, she win. And when I see her win, I win. And that is one of the beautiful relationships I have had with a therapist.
Written on Dec 15, 2021 after therapy with Bernice for 7 months on issues concerning family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd