Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee
Hello, my name is Ricky Lazaro. I am a Black and Filipino American and a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree at National University, working toward licensure to provide compassionate and effective therapeutic care. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from Sacramento State University, where I developed an understanding of the historical and cultural narratives of my own background and the diverse communities within the Sacramento region. I worked for several years in Law Enforcement serving both Sacramento and Elk Grove communities respectively. During my time as an officer, I had the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and witness their unique struggles, challenges and resilience throughout their lives.
I suffered an on-duty injury causing me to retire from Police work. Since retirement, I have focused my efforts on serving the community in the mental health field. My hope is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space where people can be open, honest and intentional as we work together toward their goals in therapy. As a therapist, I strive to foster an environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. I believe that healing and growth are possible when individuals have:
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A supportive and non-judgmental space to share openly.
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The opportunity to explore solutions and alternative perspectives.
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Encouragement to challenge thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be holding them back.
I will be supervised by Clinical Supervisor Nikkole Brown, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #120603.
Outside of my work, I live by the philosophy: Food is good, good food is better, and good food shared with good people is best. I look forward to collaborating with you on your journey toward greater well-being.