Empath Therapists in Fontana, CA: 8 Compassionate Mental Health Professionals for Emotional Support

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Ava Cheng

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Finding the right therapist is a crucial step in the mental health journey.

In Fontana, California, those seeking emotional support have access to professionals who specialize in empathic therapy approaches.

Fontana offers several qualified empathic therapists who provide supportive environments while teaching empowering skills to help clients navigate their emotional challenges.

Many of these professionals are trained in emotionally focused therapy and other evidence-based approaches.

Their services cover a wide range of concerns including family conflicts, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and grief.

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1) Therapist Jerell A. Pettway, MA, LMFT

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Jerell A. Pettway is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California.

He obtained his MA in Clinical Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.

Pettway offers emotionally focused therapy services and works with clients in the Fontana area.

He approaches therapy with empathy and understanding.

He currently practices in both Inglewood and Rialto, California, and describes himself as “an average joe with a game plan for life.”

2) Fontana Counseling and Recovery Center

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Fontana Counseling and Recovery Center offers specialized therapy for depression, high sensitivity, and anger management.

They charge $120 per session and accept insurance for individuals, couples, and families.

Their team includes experienced Marriage and Family Therapists dedicated to facilitating positive change in clients’ lives.

Located at 17133 Arrow Blvd in Fontana, CA, the center can be reached at (909) 251-4654 for appointments and inquiries.

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3) Therapist Ileana Gallegos, LCSW

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Ileana Gallegos is a bilingual therapist based in Fontana, CA.

She works with adolescents and adults, specializing in anxiety, high sensitivity, depression, life adjustments, postpartum, and trauma.

She is passionate about facilitating the healing process by collaborating with HSP clients to help them reach their goals.

Gallegos is a credentialed therapist who accepts Kaiser NorCal, Aetna, and Cigna insurance plans.

4) Foothill Behavioral Health Consultants

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Foothill Behavioral Health Consultants, Inc. has been serving the Inland Empire area for over 20 years.

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, this practice offers mental health services to people of all ages.

Their team includes board-certified psychiatrists with extensive experience.

They work with various age groups, including pre-teens, teens, and seniors.

Patients can find them at 9220 Haven Ave, Suite 301 in Rancho Cucamonga.

The multi-disciplinary practice has consistently served the Hi-Desert and Inland Empire since 2000.

5) Sunflower Therapies

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Sunflower Therapies provides both mental health and speech language services in the Fontana area.

They offer individual psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, and other life stressors for empath individuals.

Their team includes both speech therapists and MFT therapists who work with children, teens, and adults.

Sunflower Therapies is a family-owned establishment that operates by appointment only.

Located near Fontana, their main office is in Rancho Cucamonga. They have received positive reviews, maintaining a 4.5 rating from clients.

6) Carol Rose Adkisson, Counselor

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Carol Rose Adkisson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Fontana, California. She operates through Healing for Humanity Counseling, Inc.

Her office is located at 17057 Foothill Blvd, Suite 205 in Fontana. Clients can reach her directly at (909) 693-3177.

Carol’s mission focuses on “Unmasking Therapy” and providing hope to her clients.

She offers counseling services for individuals, couples, and families.

7) Therapist Julie Afighom

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Julie Afighom is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in California.

She utilizes an eclectic approach to therapy, which allows her to integrate various therapeutic methods.

With nearly ten years of experience, Julie has developed expertise in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.

Her training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused interventions.

Julie offers family therapy services and is available to clients across California.

8) Celina Bongar, Empathy Specialist

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Celina Bongar is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) who is fluent in both English and Tagalog.

Her therapeutic approach is firmly rooted in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based practices.

She has developed proficiency in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and specializes in treating anxiety, attachment issues, and trauma.

Celina also has experience working with clients dealing with self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Her warm demeanor and Disney enthusiasm help create a comfortable therapeutic environment for clients seeking support.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Empath therapists offer unique approaches to mental health treatment that focus on emotional connection and sensitivity.

These professionals combine traditional therapeutic methods with heightened empathic abilities to create supportive healing environments.

What are the qualifications for someone to be considered an empath therapist?

Empath therapists typically hold standard mental health credentials such as LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) or LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) qualifications.

Professionals like Jerell A. Pettway, MA, LMFT combine these credentials with specialized training.

Beyond standard education, empath therapists often pursue additional certification in emotionally-focused therapy techniques.

Personal characteristics include natural empathic abilities, high emotional intelligence, and strong boundaries.

How can an empath therapist improve the therapy experience for clients?

Empath therapists excel at creating safe spaces where clients feel deeply understood.

Their heightened sensitivity allows them to detect subtle emotional shifts that might go unnoticed in traditional therapy settings.

These professionals often identify underlying issues more quickly because they sense emotional patterns intuitively.

At centers like Fontana Counseling and Recovery Center, this can accelerate the healing process.

Clients often report feeling “truly seen” for the first time in therapy with an empath.

In what ways might empath therapists differ from traditional therapists in their approach?

Empath therapists may incorporate more body-based and energy-focused techniques than conventional practitioners.

They often pay special attention to the physical manifestations of emotional distress.

Session structures might be more fluid, with therapists like Ileana Gallegos, LCSW following emotional threads rather than rigid treatment protocols.

These professionals may place greater emphasis on the therapeutic relationship itself as a healing mechanism.

Can seeing an empath therapist help with managing high sensitivity to others’ emotions?

Empath therapists excel at helping highly sensitive people develop healthy boundaries.

They understand firsthand the challenges of emotional permeability and can teach practical protection techniques.

Clients learn to distinguish between their own emotions and those absorbed from others. This discrimination skill proves essential for empaths who often experience emotional overload.

Therapy centers like Foothill Behavioral Health Consultants may offer specialized programs for highly sensitive people.

What techniques do empath therapists use to protect their own emotional well-being?

Successful empath therapists maintain strict energy management practices.

These often include meditation, grounding exercises, and energetic clearing between sessions.

Physical boundaries matter as much as emotional ones. Many empath therapists at practices like Sunflower Therapies schedule buffer time between clients and limit their daily caseloads.

How does one find a reputable empath therapist in the Fontana, CA area?

Prospective clients can search specialized directories or use filters for “emotionally-focused” on platforms like Psychology Today.

These resources allow for targeted searches of qualified professionals.

Initial consultation calls help assess the therapist’s empathic abilities.

During these conversations, clients can directly ask about the therapist’s approach to emotional sensitivity.

Looking for more mental health tips? Make sure to follow our Mental Health Board on Pinterest!

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About the author

Ava Cheng

Ava Cheng

Hey there, I'm Ava Cheng—an inquisitive soul originally from Hong Kong now based in Singapore. As a physiotherapist, I have a passion for understanding women's health and the crossroads of medicine and psychology. Living in the heart of Singapore, I'm on a constant journey to explore the latest trends in these fascinating fields. The human body and mind never fail to amaze me, and I'm determined to unravel their mysteries one discovery at a time. Let's embark on this intellectual adventure together! Social

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