Cry Now Smile Later Facilitators
Vanessa Pezo, LCSW
Latina trauma therapist, speaker, and author in private practice. Vanessa's first book The Latinx Guide to Liberation: Healing from Historical, Generational, and Individual Trauma was published February 21st, 2025. Vanessa specializes in helping diverse survivors of trauma find healing and recovery. Vanessa works from an anti-oppressive lens, and believes that naming systems that perpetuate harm is essential to trauma healing. Vanessa has been featured on CBS Mornings, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, HipLatina and a variety of podcasts sharing expertise on mental health, trauma, oppression, culture, and Latinx mental health.
How I can help…
I can help you heal from the pain of past experiences and trauma. As a trauma specialist I understand how complex trauma can be, and how these experiences can impact who you are as a person, your relationships, and how you feel in the world. To help you I am able to select from a variety of approaches and tools, based off of your individual needs. I use evidence backed treatments to help you recover from traumatic life events and circumstances, and find your unique path to healing. I believe in a holistic approach. I incorporate somatic, cognitive, and experiential techniques to help soothe your distress, and find the root causes of your suffering. Learn more about the treatments I offer and my approach to trauma here.
Esther Rosales, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist known for her fresh, energetic, and sassy approach to relationships and personal growth. With a Master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from the University of Southern California, Esther offers compassionate and empowering mental health services to children, teens, adults, couples, and families throughout the Los Angeles area.
Her dynamic presence and growing influence across the city have earned her a dedicated following. Whether in session or speaking publicly, Esther creates a safe, judgment-free space where individuals can find clarity, healing, and authentic connection. Her mission is simple: to help people navigate life’s challenges with confidence, humor, and heart.
How I can help…
Treatment specialization i can help with Therapy for Depression and Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Family Counseling, Parent Support, Grief Counseling, Trauma Counseling, Stress Management, Addiction & Recovery, Disruptive Behavior/ADHD, Separation Anxiety, Divorce/Parenting Plans, Adjustment to Changes in Family Dynamics, Childhood Abuse/Neglect, Conflict Resolution, Perinatal Mental Health. Post Partum Recovery (Post Partum Depression/Anxiety).