Antonio Barillas, AMFT
Staff Psychotherapist; Liaison to the Cultural Centers
I am a first-generation Guatemalan-American, born and raised in South Los Angeles, CA. I received my B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles and moved to Humboldt County in 2018 to complete my M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Humboldt State University. I have been practicing as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist for a few years now and hope to be fully licensed very soon.
Coming from a major culturally diverse city, moving to Humboldt was a bit of a culture shock for me, as it is for many people moving into the area but I have also fallen in love with the beautiful nature and slower pace of life here. My goal as a clinician at CAPS is to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering space for students of all backgrounds to help them thrive in their lives and careers. My passion in life has always been to work with historically/currently underserved communities and I hope to continue this work in my position as the Liaison to the Cultural Centers.
 In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog, Kira, and cat, Luna, as well as relaxing with music, video games, or a good book.
My counseling approach is primarily person-centered and trauma-informed. I utilize Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Existential Therapy through a culturally-sensitive lens to meet each individual where they are and help them find the solutions to their problems within themselves. I also utilize Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help provide tools for clients in their journeys to foster positive change in their lives. Apart from individual therapy, my work also involves promoting community connection with the individuals I work with as well as providing community support to help foster collective healing.
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
