Specializations & Expertise

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• Compulsive Sexual Behaviors & Sexual Health: Oscar assists clients in examining their sexual behaviors, including pornography use and patterns of compulsivity. He explores the emotional triggers and shame associated with these behaviors, fostering a deeper understanding of how they impact intimacy and emotional regulation.

• Substance Use & Addiction Recovery: With extensive experience in addiction treatment, Oscar provides support throughout the recovery journey, emphasizing relapse prevention, harm reduction, and the intricate relationship between substance use and sexual behavior. He recognizes how substance use can complicate sexual health and intimacy, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community.

• Intimacy & Relationship Concerns: Oscar helps clients navigate the complexities of vulnerability, attachment, communication, and boundaries. He fosters discussions around sexual values and desires, helping individuals overcome barriers to meaningful connections.

• LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care: Oscar is dedicated to culturally responsive, sex-positive therapy that addresses the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ clients. He focuses on identity, relationships, sexuality, stigma, and shame, ensuring that each client feels validated and understood.

• Co-Occurring Mental Health Concerns: Supporting clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-esteem issues, Oscar integrates treatment for emotional challenges alongside addiction and relationship difficulties, promoting holistic healing.

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Therapeutic Approach

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Oscar's therapeutic approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and strengths-based, grounded in the belief that understanding the underlying reasons for a behavior is essential for lasting change. His methods include:

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• Cognitive Behavioral & Skills-Based Interventions: Helping clients identify connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing practical strategies for change.

• Motivational Interviewing: Encouraging clients to explore ambivalence and strengthen their internal motivation for change.

• Trauma-Informed Care: Acknowledging how trauma and attachment experiences can influence behavior, sexuality, and emotional regulation.

• Values-Based Sexual Health: Guiding clients to define their sexuality and intimacy based on personal values rather than solely focusing on problematic behaviors.

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Oscar balances honest exploration with practical skill-building, encouraging clients to engage with their difficult behaviors without defining themselves by them. This approach fosters accountability, curiosity, self-awareness, and meaningful change.

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Commitment to Inclusive Healing

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​Oscar's clinical practice is characterized by:

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• LGBTQIA+ Affirming Practice: Creating a judgment-free space for discussing diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures.

• Sex-Positive, Anti-Shame Care: Distinguishing between consensual sexual expression and behaviors that conflict with clients' values, relationships, and well-being.

• Integrated Addiction & Sexual Health Treatment: Understanding that substance use, sexuality, intimacy, and trauma intersect, and addressing these concerns holistically.

• Community-Based Experience: Bringing a wealth of experience working with diverse communities affected by substance use, HIV, mental health issues, and systemic barriers to care.

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Education & Credentials

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• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): California

• Master of Social Work (MSW): San Diego State University

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Magna Cum Laude: San Diego State University

• Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor-IV (CATC-IV): Advanced credential in substance use disorder treatment

• CSAT-Candidate: Advanced training in compulsive sexual behavior treatment through IITAP

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Why Work With Oscar?​

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Oscar combines clinical psychotherapy training with extensive addiction treatment experience, recognizing that concerns related to sex, substances, relationships, and intimacy are often interconnected. Rather than approaching clients from a place of judgment, he helps them understand the patterns behind their behaviors and envision what they want their lives, relationships, recovery, and sexuality to look like.

 

His style is collaborative, conversational, and direct while maintaining compassion and respect for each client's lived experiences. Oscar believes that meaningful recovery involves more than eliminating problematic behaviors; it requires developing the capacity for connection, vulnerability, emotional regulation, authenticity, and intimacy.

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Begin Your Journey

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Oscar provides therapy for:

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• Individuals struggling with compulsive sexual behaviors, pornography use, or sexual behaviors inconsistent with their values.

• Those exploring the intersection of substance use, recovery, sexuality, and intimacy.

• LGBTQIA+ clients navigating issues related to identity, relationships, shame, or barriers to connection.

• Individuals facing relationship difficulties, attachment concerns, loneliness, or intimacy challenges.

• Clients seeking to cultivate healthier boundaries, sexual values, communication, and relationship patterns.

• Individuals navigating addiction recovery alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, or other co-occurring mental health concerns.

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Key Highlights: CSAT-Candidate, CATC-IV, California Licensed Clinical Social Worker, addiction and recovery specialist, sexual health and intimacy group facilitator, trauma-informed clinician, and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist.