Gabriela Flores
Administrative Assistant
Finding the right therapist shouldn’t feel like another thing you have to figure out alone.
Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you are not sure which therapist is right for you or what happens next. Although I am not a clinician, my role at Irvine Family Counseling is to help make that first step clearer. I know our therapists and their areas of focus, and I can help you understand your options, answer practical questions, assist with scheduling, and help identify a therapist who may be a good fit for what you are looking for.
What I Help With
Finding the Right Therapist
You do not need to know exactly what kind of therapist or therapy you need before reaching out. Tell me a little about what you are looking for, any preferences you have, and what matters most to you. I can help you better understand the therapists at IFC and identify options that may fit your needs.
Scheduling & Next Steps
Starting therapy already comes with enough questions. I can help make the practical side easier by assisting with scheduling, explaining what happens next, and helping you understand the steps involved in getting connected with a therapist at IFC.
Questions Before You Begin
Maybe you have questions about a therapist’s areas of focus, whether someone works with adults, couples, teens, children or families, or simply where to start. My role is to help you get the information you need so you can make a more informed decision about your next step.
Real conversations.
Deeper change.
My work is primarily psychodynamic, which means I'm interested not only in what's happening right now, but also in the deeper patterns, relationships, and experiences that may be shaping it.
I begin with the therapeutic relationship itself. Feeling genuinely cared for, understood, and safe enough to be vulnerable matters to me, because meaningful therapy requires more than simply exchanging advice.
Depending on what you need, I may also draw from CBT, DBT, and emotionally focused approaches. My style is warm, curious, relational, and sometimes humorous. Life can be heavy. We can take what you're experiencing seriously without pretending every minute of therapy has to feel painfully serious.
"You don't have to figure this out alone."
A space to be real, explore, and grow.
At our first meeting, I'll introduce myself, review informed consent, and take time to understand what brought you in, what feels difficult right now, and what you hope might feel different.
Some people arrive with a lot to say. Others aren't sure where to begin. Both are okay.
During the first few sessions, I focus on getting to know the person behind the problem, building trust, understanding your history and patterns, and developing treatment recommendations together.
Education & Training
Loyola Marymount University
MA in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2023)
BS in Chemistry - 2016
Newport Psychoanalytic Institute
Infants, Children, Adolescents Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Certificate — 2026
Additional Training
- Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) – Level I & II
- Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) – Level I
- Training through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Common Questions
There is no set timeline because each person and their goals are different. Some people benefit from shorter-term work around a specific concern, while others want more time to explore deeper patterns and relationships. We’ll discuss your goals and the direction of therapy together.
We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy and whether my experience and approach fit your needs. I believe in being honest about the limits of my experience. If another provider or level of care would be more appropriate, I’ll discuss that with you and help identify a more suitable resource.
It depends on what brings you to therapy and what each person needs. Individual therapy can offer space to understand your own emotions, needs and relationship patterns. For others, starting together in couples therapy makes sense. We can discuss which starting point may fit your situation.
Faith Can Be Part of Therapy
I offer optional Catholic and Christian faith integration when requested by the client. Faith, spirituality and religious experiences can be explored when they are meaningful to you and relevant to your goals. They do not have to be part of therapy.
A Little More About Me
I’m a therapist, published author, and someone deeply interested in faith, psychology and psychoanalytic thinking. I love comedy shows and the symphony, and I’m equally happy exploring life’s deeper questions or laughing at something completely ridiculous. Compassion and humor both have a place in how I connect with people.
Helping Make the First Step a Little Easasier
I am often one of the first people someone interacts with when reaching out to Irvine Family Counseling. I understand that contacting a therapy practice can sometimes feel vulnerable, confusing, or overwhelming.
My goal is to make that experience feel more human and straightforward.
I work closely with our clinicians and understand their different areas of focus and approaches. That allows me to help prospective clients navigate their options without expecting them to already know exactly which therapist or service they need.
I do not provide therapy or clinical recommendations. My role is to help you understand the options available at IFC and make the process of getting connected easier.
A Clear, Welcoming First Point of Contact
When you reach out to Irvine Family Counseling, you do not need to have everything figured out.
You can tell us what has been going on, who the therapy is for, what you are hoping to find, and any preferences that matter to you.
From there, I can help clarify which therapists may be relevant, answer practical questions, and guide you through the next steps toward scheduling.
Sometimes the most important first step is simply knowing where to begin.
A safe place to be real, explore, and grow.
Helping People Feel More Comfortable Taking the First Step
My interest in psychology and mental health is also part of my own educational path.I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California and am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University.Although my role at IFC is administrative rather than clinical, my education has strengthened my appreciation for the therapeutic process and the importance of helping people feel welcomed, informed, and supported when they first reach out for care.
Education & Training
Pepperdine University
- Master’s Student in Clinical Psychology
University of Southern California
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Common Questions
Yes. You can tell me what you are looking for, who the therapy is for, and any preferences you have. I can help explain the different therapists and areas of focus at IFC so you can better understand your options.
No. I am an administrative team member, not a clinician. I help with therapist matching, scheduling, questions, and navigating the process of getting started.
Yes. If you already have a therapist in mind, let us know. IFC can confirm current availability and whether that clinician may be an appropriate option based on the information you provide.
You Don’t Have to Choose a Therapist by Yourself.
Tell us a little about what you are looking for. Gabriela and the IFC team can help you understand your options and take the next step toward connecting with the right clinician.
