About Me

I’m Rafael Cazares, a first-generation Mexican American, husband, father, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I work with adults—including men from diverse backgrounds, women, and queer folks—who are navigating anxiety, depression, cultural expecations, and relationship challenges, especially when emotional disconnection, pressure to stay silent or 'keep it together,' or hopelessness starts to take hold.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in tech. On the outside, life seemed fine. On the inside, I was dealing with depression, relationship issues, grief, and a deep sense of lost direction. Like many of my clients, I had learned to stay quiet, push through, and carry emotional pain alone. Therapy helped me reconnect with my emotions, work through that heaviness, and find a clearer path forward. I also leaned on the steady support of my wife, who encouraged me through some of the most difficult parts of my journey.

These experiences continue to shape how I show up as a therapist. I offer a grounded, culturally responsive space where you can be real and feel supported. My approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and trauma-informed care. Together, we work to understand what’s keeping you stuck and move toward a life that feels more connected to your values, your relationships, and who you truly are.

Outside of therapy, I’m a full-time dad, lifelong Nintendo fan, and someone who finds joy in anime, manga, music, and movies. I believe healing doesn’t always happen all at once. Often, it begins by showing up and being honest about where you are.