About Me
Latino Male Therapist in California
Hi, I'm Rafael Cazares
I’m a first-generation Mexican American, the first in my family to go to college, a husband, and a father. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I help adults find clarity, express what they’re really feeling, and reconnect with what truly matters. If you’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, past trauma, or relationship issues, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep pushing through on your own.
Together, we’ll work to reduce the overwhelm and heaviness you’ve been carrying. My goal is to help you live with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.
My Journey to Becoming a Therapist
Like many of my clients, I have faced emotional pain, cultural expectations, and the challenge of learning how to express myself fully. Growing up, I wasn’t always encouraged to share what I felt, and that left a lasting impact.
These experiences have shaped how I show up for my clients every day. My path into therapy began with a deep desire to understand both myself and others. Along the way, I confronted my own struggles with anxiety and trauma and found the healing I needed. The therapists who helped me were kind, patient, and present. This is the kind of therapist I strive to be, especially for those who have been taught to hide their pain.
Supporting Men, Especially Men of Color
As a Latino man and first-generation professional, I understand the silent pressure many men feel to stay strong and not ask for help. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties often go unspoken but deeply affect men, particularly men of color, who may feel unseen or misunderstood in therapy.
Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), along with other evidence-based approaches, I help clients explore their inner world, build emotional resilience, reconnect with their values, strengthen their relationships, and move forward with a greater sense of clarity and purpose.
Therapy That’s Grounded, Collaborative, and Real
In sessions, I bring warmth, honesty, and respect for where you are in your journey. Together, we focus on:
Accepting you as you are and honoring your current experience.
Listening closely to uncover what lies beneath the surface of anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Helping you identify and work through your feelings.
Collaborating to set meaningful goals and move forward without judgment.
Clients often say they feel truly heard, seen, and understood, which builds a strong foundation for healing.
What I Believe
There is no shame in asking for help.
Healing happens when we address the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
Change is possible even when anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationships feel overwhelming.
Fear can keep us stuck, but it does not have to define your story.
Even when hope feels distant, choosing to show up is the first step toward feeling better.
My Professional Background
Before becoming a therapist I worked in IT providing technical support, engaging in project management and implementation. Despite these successes, something was missing. With the loving support of my wife, I made a career change.
I earned my degree from California State University, Northridge, where I trained in culturally sensitive and systemic therapy. Since 2020, I have worked in community mental health and college clinics, serving clients facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other challenges.
Now, I offer private practice therapy in the evenings and weekends while being a stay-at-home dad during the day.
To help more people find the support they need, I’m also listed on Psychology Today, Therapy for Latinx, and TherapyDen. These directories offer more information about my services and what to expect in therapy.
Ready to Work Together?
I would be honored to support you on your journey to healing and growth.