Risa Vargas, MHC-F

A little bit about how I work.​​

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You don't have to be falling apart for things to feel heavy.

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Maybe you're overthinking everything, feeling anxious, or stuck under the pressure to get it all right — at school, at home, with friends. You might be dealing with burnout, low mood, perfectionism, or people-pleasing, or feeling like you have to hold it together for everyone around you. Maybe relationships feel overwhelming, boundaries feel hard, or you find yourself shutting down or carrying feelings you don't know what to do with.

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From the outside, you may seem capable and put together—but internally, you feel exhausted, frustrated, or disconnected from yourself. You may be navigating family pressure, identity questions, friendship shifts, dating challenges, or the weight of trying to figure out who you are while also trying not to let anyone down.

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My work is grounded in the belief that these patterns are not flaws—they’re adaptations. What once helped you stay safe, connected, or accepted may now leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck.

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As an Afro-Latina therapist, I’m deeply attuned to how culture, race, and lived experience shape the way we relate to ourselves and others—especially when you’ve had to navigate spaces where you feel unseen, misunderstood, or pulled between different parts of who you are. I also work closely with LGBTQIA+ and gender-nonconforming individuals, holding space for the full complexity of identity and belonging.

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I work with adolescents, teens, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and relationship stress. My approach is warm, relational, and collaborative, drawing from psychodynamic and attachment-based perspectives to help you understand your patterns, strengthen your sense of self, and create meaningful change.

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Therapy with me is not about fixing you. It’s a space where you don’t have to overperform, overextend, or have all the answers. It’s a place to slow down, feel supported, and reconnect with yourself.

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If this resonates, I invite you to reach out. We can begin making sense of what you’ve been carrying and move toward a way of being that feels more balanced and aligned.
 

For parents & guardians: I work collaboratively with families to support your teen, with age-appropriate involvement and clear communication about how therapy works. Book a free 25-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit.