Esther Lobato, LICSW
Mental Health Therapist
The work I do is rooted in my belief that every identity has value and that our identities shape our lives, how we experience the world, and the stories we tell ourselves. I want to collaborate with you in the retelling of your personal story in a way that is more empowering. I want to acknowledge the discrimination you may have faced and honor the strength you have gained through your experiences. I invite exploration into our space and normalize ambiguity and uncertainty. My work is based on focusing on your strengths to solve problems and challenging your inner critic.
My goal is to create a safe and affirming space in order to promote vulnerability, creativity, and self-love. I do this by practicing unconditional positive regard and approaching the work through a nonjudgmental lens. I strive to thoughtfully listen and affirm your experiences and identities. It is important to me that you be the guiding voice in your therapeutic journey. You are the expert in your own life, so I will follow your lead and provide the support and guidance you need to do the difficult work.
I use a mixture of modalities, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which uses a blend of mindfulness, values exploration, and behavior change strategies to help you stay present, open, and aligned with what matters. I utilize Critical Race Theory (CRT), which brings an explicitly anti-racist, justice-informed, and system-aware lens to the therapeutic space. I do not solely look at distress through the lens of individual pathology or internal processes, but I instead help clients understand how racism, injustice, and generational trauma impact mental health, identity, and daily life, especially for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). My approach is rooted in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which takes a humanistic, holistic, and growth-oriented perspective, focusing on helping you meet fundamental needs as a foundation for self-actualization. I value radical self-love and body trust, which approaches healing through a deeply compassionate, affirming, and liberatory lens-working to dismantle internalized shame, especially around body image, identity, and worth. My work is also rooted in self-compassion. This approach creates a space where you are encouraged to respond to yourself with kindness instead of criticism, understanding instead of judgment, and connection instead of isolation.
I am truly honored that you've chosen to connect with my practice, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work together!
Areas of Focus
Anxiety
Depression
Grief and loss
LGBT+
Life Transitions
Multicultural and Complex Identities
Neurodivergence
Radical Self-Love/ Body Trust
Fees
50-minute psychotherapy session — $150
50-minute intake session — $200
Credit card and debit card
Insurance
I am in network with Premera, Lifewise, and Kaiser.
Location
Telehealth only
Scheduling Information
Email esther@justbeyoucounseling.com or visit my website.