About

Veronica Tovar, Therapist

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), RYT 200

Veronica Tovar is a Modesto native, whose passions have taken her throughout California.  She has now settled back in her hometown in hopes of making a difference in the community.

Veronica received her bachelor’s degree in Criminology Law and Society at the University of California Irvine.  In her senior year, Veronica had her first introduction to the social work field, through an internship with New Directions, a substance abuse recovery center for women with children. Although Veronica enjoyed working with the women, she found that her passion was working with the children of the program. Following this passion, Veronica pursued her Masters of Social Work (MSW) and graduated from California State University Stanislaus.

After earning her MSW, Veronica worked throughout the county systems, beginning in child welfare sector.  The pain and suffering that Veronica witnessed throughout her time in child welfare prompted her to move into the realm of mental health, where she felt she would have more of an impact in assisting children.  This realization prompted Veronica to intern with a private counseling agency.  There she gained experience with play and sandplay therapies.

In 2014, Veronica Tovar made children’s mental health her primary career focus and began working as a mental health clinician for San Joaquin County, where she provided individual counseling, case management, and crisis intervention.

Throughout her time at San Joaquin County, Veronica was able to explore and gain experience with several types of therapy, including: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma-focused CBT, and solution-focused therapy. During this time Veronica earned her title of Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Veronica has recently begun to incorporate other holistic approaches with traditional therapy; mainly, trauma informed yoga.  In order to best serve her clients, Veronica completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training through Elevate Community Yoga, a local Modesto studio.  She also completed two separate comprehensive trainings focused solely on Trauma Informed Yoga.

Veronica Tovar’s education, employment, trainings, and other endeavors have created a mental health provider that is passionate and capable of serving a wide variety of mental health needs.

Erica Fernandez, Associate Clinical Social Worker

Erica Fernandez is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who is a central valley native with a passion to give back to her community.  After completing her undergraduate education at the University of California Davis, Erica returned to the central valley and began working at a local nonprofit agency, where she worked in collaboration with other community agencies to provide vital resources to the most vulnerable families in the community.  Additionally, Erica’s passion for assisting children and families during difficult times was solidified when she began to facilitate a Healthy Birth Outcomes group. 

Erica transitioned over to Stanislaus County Community Services Agency in order to continue her journey and meet both her education and professional goals.  Erica earned her Master of Social Work from California State University, Stanislaus in 2018.   Additionally, Erica has been with Stanislaus County for over four years and during this time she has worked in several units in the Child Welfare Division, including Family Reunification, Emergency Response and Team Decision Meeting Facilitation.    Furthermore, Erica has also expanded her knowledge base by working as a medical social worker and community health worker. 

With years of experience working with children and families during some of their most difficult times, Erica is ready to assist children and parents in learning new coping and self-regulation skills to help deal with life’s daily stressors and unexpected situations.   Erica has experience working with young children and youth who have experienced trauma, and/or are suffering with depression, anxiety and behavioral issues.  Working with this population, Erica has become passionate about helping children dealing with issues of self-esteem, grief and loss, life transitions, trauma, teen violence and domestic violence.  Erica’s approach to working with children and families is centered on creating an individualized treatment plan that will prioritize the child and family’s needs.