- 30 years experience
- English and Spanish
- Culturally responsive
About Paul
Dr. Paul Fernandez uses a straightforward, culturally aware approach to help people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, and major life transitions. He brings three decades of experience as a CA Psychologist to sessions and aims to help people develop practical tools for coping and change.
He has worked extensively with Latino and Hispanic communities in Southern California and understands how culture, family, language, and spirituality shape emotional life. When it is meaningful to the person, he includes family values, faith, and cultural traditions in the work.
Sessions focus on identifying patterns that contribute to distress and building concrete skills for managing emotions. This can include strategies for anxiety and stress, ways to handle relationship and communication problems, and steps to support recovery from substance use.
Dr. Fernandez encourages an open, nonjudgmental space where people can speak honestly about fear, shame, anger, or grief. He helps people set achievable goals, strengthen boundaries, and improve day-to-day functioning without rushing the process.
He welcomes people from all backgrounds and works in English and Spanish. With 30 years in practice, he draws on a range of therapeutic approaches to fit each person's needs and priorities.
He has worked extensively with Latino and Hispanic communities in Southern California and understands how culture, family, language, and spirituality shape emotional life. When it is meaningful to the person, he includes family values, faith, and cultural traditions in the work.
Sessions focus on identifying patterns that contribute to distress and building concrete skills for managing emotions. This can include strategies for anxiety and stress, ways to handle relationship and communication problems, and steps to support recovery from substance use.
Dr. Fernandez encourages an open, nonjudgmental space where people can speak honestly about fear, shame, anger, or grief. He helps people set achievable goals, strengthen boundaries, and improve day-to-day functioning without rushing the process.
He welcomes people from all backgrounds and works in English and Spanish. With 30 years in practice, he draws on a range of therapeutic approaches to fit each person's needs and priorities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryVisually impairedWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
30+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most and take small actions toward those values while learning to notice painful thoughts without getting stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and practicing new ways of responding to reduce anxiety or mood problems. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) looks at emotional experience and connection, helping people understand their feelings and improve how they relate to others.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and preferences, and may blend techniques from different approaches as appropriate. This is a team effort with open discussion about what helps.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules demand a quick touchpoint. It can also allow sessions to continue during life transitions when meeting in person is harder. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for your routine and goals.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, relationship and family concerns, self-esteem, career struggles, trauma and coping with life changes.
What is his general therapeutic style?
He uses a compassionate, straightforward, and practical style focused on understanding patterns and building real-world skills for coping and communication.
What experience does he bring to therapy?
He has 30 years of clinical experience working with diverse concerns, including long-term work with Latino and Hispanic communities in Southern California.
What credential does he hold and where does he practice?
He practices in California and is listed as CA Psychologist 19972.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.