Angelica Quezada

What inspired you to become a therapist?

As a therapist and a mom with lived experience of loss, pregnancy after loss, and perinatal mental health challenges, I understand these experiences from the inside, not just from my clinical training. Going through these major life transitions showed me how important it is to have support. My personal journey and my passion for helping families inspired me to walk alongside others so no one has to navigate these seasons alone.

What types of clients do you typically work with?

I work with individuals and parents who are trying to conceive, navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal loss, infant loss, abortion, termination for medical reasons, surrogacy, NICU stays, traumatic birth experiences, and postpartum challenges. I also work with adoptive parents, individuals experiencing pregnancy after loss, and women going through health transitions like perimenopause and menopause.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

I would describe myself as direct, warm, and affirming. I believe you can feel deeply understood and still be gently challenged to grow. My approach is trauma-informed and culturally responsive, working with the whole person, including your emotions, body, relationships, and values. I honor the cultural and family expectations that shape how you grieve and parent.

My work incorporates evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, exposure and response prevention (ERP) for perinatal OCD, narrative grief therapy, and mindfulness.

What can a client expect from their first session with you?

In our first session, you can expect a safe and welcoming space where you won't have to rush your healing or explain your story twice. I know the heavy thoughts that can keep you up at night, like "Why can't I just be happy?" or "I don't feel like myself anymore." I will never ask you to rush or "look on the bright side." Instead, we will hold space for all of your feelings and thoughts as we begin moving along with you toward a place of healing.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone struggling with their mental health, what would it be?

You do not have to rush your healing, and you do not have to carry this by yourself. It is completely okay to feel complex or confusing emotions, like thinking, "I should be grateful, so why do I feel this way?" Be gentle with yourself, know that your story and feelings are valid, and allow yourself to seek support when you are ready.

What do you hope clients take away from their work with you?

I hope clients leave our work feeling deeply heard, grounded in their bodies, and empowered with practical skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance. For those navigating loss, I hope they learn that healing doesn't mean "moving on" or forgetting. We make room for grief that others may not recognize, honoring your baby, your story, and your values while helping you feel like yourself again.

Is there anything else that you'd like to share?

I am bilingual (English/Spanish). Beyond therapy, I am currently training to become a certified doula and offer coaching and childbirth education for families looking for a holistic path through this season. I stay actively involved in research, have presented at national conferences, and have done wellness segments on Spanish-language TV, including Telemundo and Univision San Diego. Outside of work, I love being outdoors, hiking, going to the beach, or tending to my herb and vegetable garden with my kids!