Helping Adults and Couples Navigate Emotions, Relationships, and Cultural Values with Honesty and Care
Culturally Responsive Therapy with Rafael Cazares, LMFT
Hi, I’m Rafael. I help adults and couples who feel disconnected—whether from their emotions, their relationships, or themselves. I provide therapy for those who might be showing up for everyone else, quietly carrying the weight of it all, while wondering, “When is it my turn?”
Many of my clients grew up in families where emotions weren’t spoken about, needs were minimized, and expectations ran deep. You might be the logical one, the calm one, the one who gets things done. But underneath, there’s often guilt, numbness, or a persistent sense of loneliness that’s hard to shake. There’s also the pressure to always hold it together or get everything right.
As a first-generation Latino therapist, I understand what it’s like to grow up in a home where love was present, but emotional needs weren’t always seen, named, or supported. Strength often meant staying silent, putting on a smile, and showing up no matter how heavy things felt. These days, I’m learning to show up differently—for my partner, my kids, and myself. I know what it’s like to be the chill one, and I understand what it takes to learn a different way. That lived experience shapes how I show up in therapy, with cultural humility and emotional presence.
A lot of my clients are in that same in-between space. They’re trying to honor where they came from—the roles they took on, the cultural values they hold—while also making space for emotional honesty, clear boundaries, and relationships that feel mutual instead of one-sided. On the outside, it might seem like everything is fine. But on the inside, there’s often a quiet disconnection or a feeling that something important is missing. For some, that disconnection shows up as anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles that feel difficult to name, but are always there in the background.
I also work with couples who feel emotionally distant or stuck in painful patterns. If you're both hoping to feel close again but don’t know how to find your way back, I can help. We work together to move past shutdowns and disconnection. Instead of blame, we focus on creating the kind of space where you both feel safe enough to speak, to listen, and to really hear each other.
Whether you're a parent, a partner, or someone who’s always been the steady one, therapy with me is a space to reconnect with yourself and the people who matter most. My approach blends emotionally focused and acceptance-based therapy, and it’s grounded in deep respect for your lived experience. You don’t need to have the perfect words to begin. You just need the willingness to start.
I also welcome anyone navigating emotional disconnection, cultural values, perfectionism, or the pressure to always be okay—especially when your identity or upbringing made it hard to ask for what you need.
Does This Sound Familiar?
You wake up feeling emotionally drained or disconnected—and you don’t always know why.
Your thoughts start racing before your feet even hit the floor, leaving you overwhelmed before the day begins.
You find it hard to open up or trust others, especially when old wounds or family dynamics still feel unresolved.
You carry the pressure to be strong, successful, or “put together,” even when you’re hurting inside.
Some days, you just want to shut down or disappear for a while.
If any of this feels familiar, you’re not broken—and you don’t have to carry it alone.
You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
Many of my clients are navigating anxiety, depression, or relationship stress shaped by their upbringing, culture, and the roles they’ve been expected to play. Maybe you were taught not to talk about emotions, to stay quiet when something felt off, or to keep pushing through—no matter how much it cost you inside.
Therapy offers a space to slow down and tune in. Together, we’ll make sense of what you’ve been carrying and begin moving toward self-trust, clarity, and connection—both within yourself and in your relationships.
To support that process, I draw from evidence-based approaches that help you explore emotions, build resilience, and create lasting, meaningful change.
If what you’ve read resonates, I’d be honored to connect. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can get a feel for how I work and see if it feels like the right fit.
How We’ll Work Together
My approach is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and trauma-informed care. Together, we’ll notice and shift the patterns that keep you stuck—especially the ones you learned to survive in environments where emotional expression wasn’t safe or supported.
You don’t have to perform, fix everything, or figure it out alone. Therapy can be a space where you get to be honest, supported, and fully human.
Feeling ready to take the next step?
Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationship stress, or the quiet weight of expectations, you don’t have to keep holding it all alone.
If this resonates, I’d be honored to support you.
When you’re ready, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.