Therapy for Adoptees
& Foster Youth in Los Angeles

If you're here, you may have been impacted by foster care or adoption, and you might be carrying experiences that are hard to explain, even harder to process. You may have felt misunderstood, judged, or like therapy wasn't built for someone like you. I'm a bilingual therapist who grew up in foster care and specializes working with those impacted by foster care and adoption. If you've felt like therapy wasn't built for someone like you - I get it. I've been there. Feeling misunderstood, judged, or unseen can make it hard to open up, but you don't have to keep carrying it alone. In therapy, there's room for all of who you are, your story, your struggles, and your strength. This is a space to lay some of that weight down and begin healing, at your pace. Together, we'll explore your experiences, notice patterns, and develop tools to help you feel more aware, grounded, and in control.

L. Patty Flores, MSW, ASW126834
Doctoral Student & Chancellor's Fellow at WashU
Registered Clinical Social Worker No. ASW126834
Supervision under Christina Dixon, LCSW87870

Book a Session View FAQs
Therapy for Adoptees and Foster Youth

APPROACH

My Approach

My style is relational, intersectional, and rooted in social justice. That means I take into account your unique background, culture, and identity, and I provide a space where all parts of you are welcome. Whether you're navigating foster care, adoption, immigration, LGBTQ+, or family relational struggle, I'll meet you where you are - with empathy, honesty, and guidance.

If you've been searching for a therapist in Los Angeles who understands experiences like yours, I'm here to support you. I provide therapy services in person or online in California.

Therapy with me focuses on what’s underneath behavior. Whether you tend to react outwardly, shut down, or move between the two, we’ll explore the patterns behind your responses and the experiences that shaped them. Behavior is communication, and together we’ll make sense of what yours has been trying to say.

We’ll work on recognizing what you’re feeling and finding ways to respond that don’t leave you overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. Instead of forcing coping skills, we’ll build emotional awareness at a pace that feels safe, so you can feel more grounded and in control of your internal world.

Some people express through anger. Others shut down. Some do both depending on the moment. Therapy creates space to understand what’s happening internally so you can communicate in ways that feel more manageable, honest, and true to what you’re actually experiencing.

Support for navigating experiences connected to foster care, adoption, family dynamics, school or work, and major life transitions that can continue to show up over time. We’ll make sense of how these experiences have shaped you and build tools to help you move through them with more grounding and clarity.
Approach and support
Areas of specialization

Areas of Specialization

  • Depression, anger, anxiety, and trauma
  • Foster care and adoption therapy
  • Parent/child relational struggles
  • LGBTQ+ identity support
  • Self-esteem
  • Educational challenges and support

I speak Spanish. Make your appointment and take the first step toward your well-being!

Professional Background & Experience

I am also a researcher, speaker, and advocate Throughout my career in education and administration, I have worked with diverse and marginalized communities, including foster, homeless, and probation youth; LGBTQ+ and youth of color; immigrants; and undocumented people.

I hold two Associate degrees: an A.S. in Criminal Justice and an A.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences. I earned my Bachelor's in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside, and my Master's in Clinical Social Work from Smith College.

adoption therapy acting photo

"My colleague & good friend, Patty, is an inspirational & empowering clinician, as not only a professional, but also as an expert with lived experience of the child welfare system. She provides affirming, compassionate care in both English & Spanish."

Dr. Sky Lea Ross, LMFT, PsyD

"Patty brings a rare combination of clinical insight and lived experience that deeply enriches her work. Her commitment to immigrant families and trauma-informed practice is exceptional."

Dr. Cheryl Aguilar, LICSW, Ph.D.

"Patty's lived experience, education, and research background inform her deep commitment to the practice of healing. The ways she holds space invites each client into the room, just as they are. What she provides is a rare gift."

Sean Sparks, LMFT

📍 Glendale, CA - In-person and online sessions available (California only)

Therapy services supervised by Christina Dixon, LCSW87870. I am employed by CR Dixon Counseling Inc for therapy services. For more info, visit her website: www.cdixoncounseling.com

Contact

Let's Talk

Reach out for a consultation and we can discuss what support looks like for you.

Email: patty@defyinglabels.com

Call: (213) 222-8794

Location: Glendale, California

SUPPORT

FAQs

I offer sessions Monday through Saturday between 9am and 8pm. Sunday appointments may be available upon request to support clients who need additional flexibility.

Yes. I offer in‑person, online, and phone sessions for clients located anywhere in California. This allows you to choose the format that feels safest and most accessible.

Yes. I speak fluent Spanish and offer therapy sessions in Spanish for clients and families who prefer to receive support in Spanish.

Therapy frequency depends on your needs, goals, and capacity. Many clients attend weekly or biweekly. We can discuss what feels supportive and sustainable for you.

I am not currently in‑network with insurance. I hope to offer insurance options in the future to increase access for clients from all backgrounds.

My standard fee is $180. However, we offer a sliding scale (lower fee) for those who are eligible. A limited number of sliding scale spots are available. Please reach out to discuss availability and options.

Link to a mobile app, IVY PAY, a secure mobile app designed for therapy services.