ABOUT
Get to Know Me
and My Approach
"What I needed was a role model. I needed someone to hold me accountable, to give me attention instead of ignoring me and hoping I’d 'get over it,' to listen to me and sit with me when I was hurting.​"
ABOUT ME
Michael T. Enriquez, M.S., M.A.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
My name is Michael Enriquez, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist based in California's South Bay. I specialize in working with children and teens to create a judgment-free environment that fosters authenticity and growth. I don’t hand out advice or solutions, but instead assist clients in becoming more introspective, encouraging them to confront difficulties head on, and ultimately discovering how strong and resilient they truly are.
​
In more ways than one, I relate to my clients. Growing up, my life was full of adversity- my parents divorced, my mother fought breast cancer and passed when I was 12 years old, and I had to quickly learn how to navigate a blended family life. Ultimately, I just wanted to feel “normal,” wanted, and accepted.
​
Confronted by so much at a young age resulted in misdirected anger towards myself and others. I am a testament to the phrase: “hurt people hurt people.” I was the bully, and I also got bullied. I fought others in hopes that outer pain would replace my inner pain, or so I could make others feel the same hurt I felt. Schools didn’t know how to handle me, allowing me to get away with toxic behavior, justifying their lax approach with my at-home struggles. What I needed was a role model. I needed someone to hold me accountable, to give me attention instead of ignoring me and hoping I’d “get over it,” to listen to me and sit with me when I was hurting.
​
Though it was hard at times, each day I kept going, eventually finding my own ground. There were big things that saved me, like football, friends, and forgiveness. When I failed, when things were hard, I was fueled by an unexplainable resilience. My motivation to keep getting up each time I got knocked down led me to where I am today, where I am a husband, a father, and a friend...where I am grateful for the past that brought me to my present.
I feel blessed to lend my stories and experiences to help clients overcome their obstacles. ​I can tell you that whatever struggle you may be facing, it, too, shall pass. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you respond.
EDUCATION
Degrees and Certifications
M.S., Marital and Family Therapy
California State University of Dominguez Hills
M.A., Negotiation, Conflict Resolution & Peace Building
California State University of Dominguez Hills
B.S., Public Policy, Planning, & Development
University of Southern California
Delinquency Control Institute, Class #120
University of Southern California
Certified Hostage Negotiation & Crisis Intervention
International Association of Hostage Negotiators
CAMFT Member
California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists
MY APPROACH
Get Outside
When it comes to ensuring our wellbeing, we're constantly told to enhance our nutrition and exercise, but do we actually practice healthy habits in these areas? I am a firm believer in the mind/body connection, and in addition to diet, one way I encourage my clients to care for themselves is to get outside and move.
I enjoy leading by example and working with my clients in an outdoor setting. There's something to be said for breathing in fresh air, hearing leaves crunch beneath your feet, and freeing yourself from a confined space. It allows us to feel and be more present, to be more appreciative of and attuned to our surroundings, all of which are helpful practices that transfer outside of therapy and into daily life.
In addition, for many kids (and adults), sitting face-to-face can sometimes feel intimidating or "too formal." Walking outside, side by side, can ease tensions, allowing for comfortable dialogue and openness to occur.
