Jeanette Ayala-Rios, LPCC
(she | her | ella)
Preferred Name: Jeanette
About Me
It’s hard to feel at peace when your mind is always on, your body feels tense, and your relationships feel confusing or painful.
You might find yourself overthinking, struggling to trust, setting boundaries and then second-guessing them, or feeling stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand. Part of you wants change, and another part feels unsure how to get there.
I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Together, we slow things down and make sense of what you’ve been carrying, so you can feel more grounded, clear, and connected to yourself.
My approach is shaped by both my clinical training and my own healing journey. Through somatic work, mindfulness, and EMDR, I learned how to listen to my body, process difficult experiences, and develop compassion for myself. That experience informs how I support my clients.
I show up with warmth, honesty, and care. I believe healing happens in connection, and that real change is possible.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Education & Experience
Master’s Degree in Counseling, San Francisco State University
Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) # 19167, California
EMDRIA Certified Therapist; EMDR Basic Training completed through HAP
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II), Evergreen Certifications
Clinical experience providing individual therapy for veterans, teenagers, and the general adult population, as well as couples, with a focus on trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, attachment wounds, and boundary-setting difficulties.
Integrates EMDR with somatic therapy, mindfulness, parts work, and inner child work. Utilizes interventions from DBT, ACT, and Polyvagal Theory to support nervous system regulation and emotional processing.
Fluent in Spanish; provides culturally responsive care for Latino/a communities, including Latina women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and BIPOC clients, with awareness of racial trauma, oppression, and intergenerational experiences.
Additional experience includes facilitating mental health workshops in a community college setting and teaching Law and Ethics to graduate-level counseling students at San Francisco State University.
Experience supporting individuals with mental health, physical, and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
Professional & Volunteer Affiliations
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), Member
Latinx Therapy Directory, Member
Engaged in professional and community networks in Walnut Creek, including the Chamber of Commerce and wellness alliances, collaborating with local providers to support integrated, trauma-informed care.
Volunteers time in academic settings to mentor and support graduate students navigating the path toward LPCC licensure.
Committed to trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and advocacy for underserved communities, including veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and BIPOC populations.
Specialty Area
- Abuse/Neglect
- Anger Management
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Domestic Violence
- Family Issues
- Marriage/Relationship Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Moral Injury
- Phobias
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Race, Culture, Ethnicity Issues
- Self-Harm
- Sexual Abuse
- Somatic Issues
- Spirituality
- Stress Management
- Survivor's Guilt
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adolescents (13-17)
- Adults
- BIPOC
- Community Mental Health Center
- Couples
- First Responders
- Immigrants
- LGBTQ+
- Seniors
- Underserved
- Veterans/Military
Language
- English
- Spanish
Insurance
- Does Not Accept Insurance
