Desiree Roman, AMFT
Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist AMFT145957

Supervised by Theresa Martinez, LMFT131771

Hello, my name is Desiree. I am a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT#145957) and supervised by Theresa Martinez, LMFT131771. I have a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Administration from National University. As a therapist, my main objective is to help improve mental and emotional health, by facilitating open and honest communication, and providing a safe space for all to express their feelings and perspectives. I utilize various techniques to help improve communication, develop coping mechanisms, resolve conflicts, navigate challenges, build stronger bonds, create a more supportive and nurturing environment, and promote overall wellbeing.

Clinical Experience

My role has allowed me to provide mental health services in various settings.

I have provided support for family caregivers of adults with chronic and disabling conditions and/or diseases (Alzheimer’s/Dementia/Cognitive Impairing Conditions/Stroke/Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson’s) enhanced skill development, implemented helpful strategies to alleviate stress, and have helped adults examine their options to better cope with their caregiving situation.

I have experience working with incarcerated pre-and post-released individuals with substance use and/or mental health (co-occurring) disorders, as they prepare for re-entry into the community. I have helped individuals navigate emotional challenges and increased their awareness on how to recognize and identify their triggers, early signs of regression (behavioral, emotional, cognitive changes), and seeking help to reduce recidivism.

I have experience working with biopsychosocial rehabilitation and substance use disorder treatment (SUD) in a clinic setting. While providing services for individuals experiencing mental health concerns, I have helped individuals gain more insight into psychiatric symptoms, process traumatic events, build healthy communication skills and develop coping skills to prevent decompensation. I have helped individuals address their own issues while also considering how their behavior impacts their relationships, as a whole.

I have helped families develop and maintain healthy boundaries and implement healthy strategies, enhance their communication, resolve conflict and better manage disagreements, stress, process grief and trauma to prevent family separation through the understanding of family dynamics and patterns, in order for them to become active partners in the treatment process leading to better outcomes for all parties involved.

I utilize a wide range of skills, techniques and positive interventions to reinforce strengths, build resilience, and celebrate progress such as, building rapport, active listening, empathy, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, problem solving techniques, boundary setting techniques, communication skills, and treatment planning to help address relational, emotional and/or concerns within families, couples, individual adults, youth, and children.

The goal is to resolve conflicts constructively.

Through my experience I have implemented therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Restructuring, Exposure Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Conflict Resolution Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Somatic Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Processing Therapy, Strength Based Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Psychoeducation, Positive Psychology, Humanistic Therapy, Supportive Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Art Therapy, and Play Therapy, all depending on needs and the therapeutic approach to best fit the individual.

Utilizing and implementing these therapeutic techniques can help reduce symptoms related to anxiety disorders (social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, OCD, PTSD), mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, eating disorders, personality disorders/BPD), schizophrenia and other disorders causing detachment from reality, ADHD, adjustment disorders and so much more.

I hope to help prevent potential problems from escalating and help you maintain healthy functioning. I look forward to helping guide the transition process in learning and implementing new skills and in assisting with maintenance of a positive and/or new beginning.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Languages: English, Spanish

Location: Mission Valley

Education

Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology
National University

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Administration
National University

Please note: Each individual therapist is responsible for the legal and ethical psychotherapy treatment of their own clients. The therapist on this page operates independently from other providers in this office.