Individual Therapy
&
Immigration Evaluations
Downtown Tulare/Virtual Sessions
About me
Welcome to Lakeside Therapy.
Im Christina Rodriguez, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, private practice owner, and the creator of The Creative Therapist.
I specialize in trauma-informed therapy and am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based approach that helps individuals process distressing experiences and reduce the impact of past trauma. I also incorporate play, art therapy and sand tray therapy, which can be especially helpful for children and adolescents, as well as adults who benefit from creative and experiential approaches to healing.
I understand that every person's story is unique. Together, we will create a treatment plan that honors your strengths, goals, and experiences. Whether you are seeking support for yourself or your child, I am committed to providing compassionate care tailored to your individual needs.
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel challenging, but you don't have to navigate life's difficulties alone. I look forward to supporting you on your journey toward healing and growth.
Christina’s specialities
Trauma
Victims of sexual trauma, PTSD, painful memories, events. Together, we will work to:
Process traumatic experiences
Reduce anxiety, distress, and emotional overwhelm
Strengthen self-compassion and resilience
Improve relationships and communication
Develop healthier coping strategies
Foster a greater sense of balance, confidence, and well-being
Whether you are navigating childhood trauma, complex trauma, relationship wounds, grief, or recent life events, therapy can help you move toward lasting healing and meaningful change.
Anxiety/Depression
My approach focuses on helping clients understand the connection between the mind, body, and nervous system. Together, we work to:
Identify and change unhelpful thought patterns
Develop healthy coping skills for managing stress and emotions
Learn grounding techniques to reduce anxiety and increase present-moment awareness
Practice somatic exercises that help regulate the nervous system
Build emotional resilience and self-confidence
Improve self-awareness and emotional regulation
Reduce symptoms of depression, worry, panic, and overwhelm
Create sustainable strategies for long-term wellness
Christian Perspective
For clients who wish to incorporate their faith into the therapeutic process, I offer the option of integrating Christian principles and a biblical perspective into counseling.
In addition to my clinical training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I have formal education in biblical studies and ministry. This background allows me to thoughtfully and respectfully incorporate faith-based values, Scripture, spiritual reflection, and Christian teachings into therapy when desired by the client.
I recognize that faith can be an important source of strength, meaning, and healing. For those who choose this approach, therapy can provide a space to explore emotional, relational, and spiritual concerns while remaining aligned with their Christian beliefs and values.
Play/Sand Tray/Art
Not everyone processes emotions through conversation alone. For many individuals, creative and experiential approaches can provide a deeper pathway to self-expression, healing, and personal growth.
I offer creative therapeutic interventions, including play therapy techniques, sand tray therapy, and expressive art-based approaches for clients who prefer a more hands-on and creative way of exploring their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Sand Tray Therapy
Sand tray therapy provides a unique, nonverbal way to explore personal experiences, relationships, challenges, and strengths. Using miniature figures and symbols, clients create scenes in the sand that often reveal insights that may be difficult to access through traditional talk therapy alone.
Sand tray work can be particularly beneficial for:
Trauma recovery
Anxiety and depression
Grief and loss
Life transitions
Self-discovery and personal growth
Children, adolescents, and adults
Art-Based Therapy Techniques
Creative expression through art can help clients process emotions, reduce stress, and gain new perspectives. No artistic ability is required. The focus is not on creating artwork but on using the creative process as a tool for healing, reflection, and growth.
Art-based interventions can help clients:
Express difficult emotions
Increase self-awareness
Develop healthy coping skills
Improve emotional regulation
Explore identity and personal strengths
Process trauma and life experiences