Adriana Guarderas, AMFT

Hi! My name is Adriana Guarderas, but you can call me Adri. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#148397) practicing in California under the supervision of Janet (Bayramyan)Generales (LCSW #88575). Since childhood, strangers and friends alike would share with me complex experiences of trauma, shame, and guilt. I could help somewhat, but I wanted to be more knowledgeable and effective, especially since I felt it was my calling to serve others. Before I went to graduate school, I knew I wanted to help people, but I wasn't ready to commit to attending graduate school. To increase my knowledge, I enrolled in IPEC's coaching program, one of the most rigorous and respected life coaching programs available. Additionally, due to my interest in helping single people and those in relationships connect to their erotic selves and work on creating their most expansive and pleasurable sex lives, I studied under Jaiya Ma and Ian Ferguson in their Erotic Blueprints Coaching program; I completed the program and was certified, but no longer practice under their license. You may have seen Jaiya and Ian as experts on Netflix's "Sex, Love, and Goop." 

I am a cisgender and multiethnic woman. My father is an immigrant from Ecuador, and my mother grew up in Los Angeles and is of Irish, English, and French origin. Although I've lived in Southern California for most of my life, I lived in Ecuador for a few years in my childhood. I do my best to practice cultural humility by keeping myself informed and educated and maintaining that you are the expert of your life and experiences. I specialize in working with adults who have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence, relationship therapy (couples and people who practice consensual non-monogamy), and sex therapy. I am currently working on my sex therapy education through the Sexual Health Alliance, and I completed Gottman level 1 training. I have additional training in serving people who practice consensual non-monogamy, kink, and/or BDSM. 

As a survivor of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, I am passionate about helping survivors overcome shame, re-establish their sense of self, and practice self-compassion, as well as navigating and re-establishing their healthy relationships and creating new ones. I chose to pursue additional training in sex therapy because it is a taboo topic for many mental health professionals and clients alike. I want to de-stigmatize conversations about sex and pleasure and become a resource where you can discuss a variety of challenges that you may be experiencing regarding your sexuality, sexual preferences, sexual challenges, and relational challenges related to sex. 

I'm an intuitive and empathetic listener and fierce accountability partner. I'm adept at recognizing unique gifts in people and creating a safe container. I take an eclectic approach to therapy, combining postmodern approaches, such as narrative and solution-focused brief therapy and person-centered therapy. I enjoy infusing joy and humor and focusing on my client's strengths and resources. Additionally, I take an easygoing yet direct approach to therapy that includes some off-the-cuff curse words, creating rapport by joking with you, and ultimately gently pushing you toward your therapy goals or checking in to see if the goals need to be changed or adjusted. I adapt to what my clients need and welcome feedback to tailor treatment. 

I graduated from Phillips Graduate Institute with my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I earned my undergraduate degree in Art History and Visual Arts from Occidental College, with an emphasis in Studio Art. When not working, I enjoy doing the New York Times crossword, spending time with my family and friends, reading, thrifting clothes, and sewing. I also do escape rooms with my boyfriend, build cardboard houses for my two cats, and go hiking with friends.