Taylor Barragan, M.A., LMFT, IMFT

I once read a short poem by Atticus that goes something like this: “Watch carefully, the magic that occurs when you give a person just enough comfort to be themselves.” ​ This is how I think of my work as a therapist. Research shows that the relationship built between therapist and client is the most important part of therapy, even beyond interventions and treatment approaches. It is my hope that a trusting, open relationship develops between us where you can feel comfortable to explore who you are. I am an active therapist who will use feedback and reflection to help you come to your own insights about your past, behaviors, and beliefs. Together we will explore how past experiences impact your current life, challenges, relationships, and patterns that you may not be aware of. However, in my experience therapy is most helpful when practical action follows insight, and so therapy will allow you to practice new ways of being in the world, ultimately helping you not only heal, but grow. Mindfulness is woven into the work to provide you with some solid yet gentle tools to better cope with the challenges you may be facing, and to look at what is already thriving in your life amongst what is difficult. I graduated with an MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. I also have a Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science and a minor in Business from San Jose State University. ​ My experience includes working with: college-aged and young adults experiencing performance issues and discovering their sense of self through coaching and equine-assisted learning adults who have experienced trauma and symptoms of anxiety, depression, dissociation, and PTSD youth experiencing symptoms of trauma, depression and anxiety in a community-based, intensive, wraparound program children as young as 5 in a school setting using play and art-based therapies ​ ​ Outside of the office, I'm most likely to be found with a cup of tea and a book. I've learned that hearing someone else's words and story can help me to hear my own. I also love to be outside, in nature. Over the years I have backpacked and camped in mountains throughout the United States and in South America. These experiences have shown me how the wilderness has a profound way of helping us let go, come back to ourselves, and find out how resilient we truly are. ​ You can learn more about issues I have experience working with on my Psychology Today profile. ​