Jorge J Asturias, PsyD

I went to see Asturias after having struggled with pretty bad anxiety and small bouts of depression for almost a year. Not the most serious of cases I’m sure, but I made the decision to start therapy primarily as an aid for long-​term growth, not just for the anxiety and depression issues I had been facing.
Turns out that Asturias was the right person for the job. He takes a more psychodynamic approach to therapy, and attempts to uncover the root of your issues before prescribing any specific treatments (cbt, hypnosis, etc.). I’ve always considered myself to be very introspective and Asturias has helped me grow my perspective on a number of issues surrounding my life.
While working with him has been fairly stereotypical (leather sofa, talking about my parents, etc.), it has been immensely helpful as I’ve felt happier than I have in over a year. I’m able to focus more while on the job, and I’m a better partner to the love of my life.
Asurias is always professional, insightful, challenging, patient, honest, and just good at what he does. I intend to make this a long-​term thing, so long as I can afford it.
UPDATE: 3÷9÷2015
I thought that it would be good for me to circle back on my original rating of Asturias. If I could give him more than 5-​stars I would.
We have been working together for nearly 18 months and Asturias has helped me grow to become a very different, much happier and healthier person. When I look back on who I was 18 months ago, I almost don’t recognize that person.
As I mentioned above, I started therapy primarily for long-​term growth and after we worked through my larger anxiety and depression issues, Asturias and I continued to work on growth in other areas. In many ways, I have completely changed my approach to life. This includes the way I see and interact with my partner, my friends, my family and my job. He has helped me build the courage to go back to school and start a new career following my passion, something I should have done years ago.
Asturias’ clinical skills seem to be very deep and are continuing to grow, as our conversations are very different than they were when we first started.
It probably comes to no surprise that I highly recommend Asturias for anyone looking to challenge themselves to grow out of their less healthy selves. My fiancé’ has began working with him as well, and I anticipate a couple of my friends to begin working with him as well.
I’m very thankful to be matched with Dr. Asturias.

I’ve been to a number of lackluster therapists over the years, to address issues of depression. The therapists ranged from marginally helpful to a complete waste of time and money. So by the time I went to see Dr. Asturias I had almost given up on finding a therapist who was interested in the conversations I need to have, and not just shooting in the dark hoping that something they tell me or some expensive medication will help me feel better.
Dr. Asturias astounded my expectations by giving me constructive, accurate, relevant help from the get-​go — starting with a more complete diagnosis that wasn’t just about ‘depression’ but about the things that preceded the depression. Within the first fifteen minutes of talking to him I knew I had found a fantastic ally in the long journey of untangling my mental health. He is patient, well-​trained, knowledgeable, sensitive, and very open-​minded. He doesn’t judge you harshly, but he will let you know when you are letting yourself down or going in a direction that is covering up the real issues you’re trying to engage. He’s very open to working in conjunction with whatever healing modalities you’re already into or are considering undertaking. I’ve come a long way since I first walked into his office, and that makes a huge difference in the quality of my life.
One other thing I’ve realized after getting help from Dr. Asturias the past year — there’s a lot more people with mild to medium mental health issues than most people think, and we all suffer when those things aren’t addressed. If you or someone close to you is looking for a good place to start to deal with depression, trauma, identity issues, or other things along the lines of Dr. Asturias’s clinical psychology specialties, then you should give him a call and see if he can help.

And I thought reviewing my gynecologist was getting too personal, no, THIS is getting personal. But, looking for a therapist is such a shot in the dark, I’m forever grateful for Stephanie’s review of Dr. Asturias from a few years ago, so I figured it’s time I pay it forward.
I’ve been to a therapist or two in my day, but some were just plain awful and some were just so boring or new agey that we just didn’t mesh. After a tough year or so, I decided to try again. Enter Dr. Asturias.
Not to do the whole Catherine Zeta-​Jones thing, but yeah, I’ve dealt (or «suffered» as they say) with depression for, well, for a long fucking time. It’s one of those things you feel like you’re not really supposed to talk about, but if you do you’re being an attention whore or something. Screw it, sometimes things just ARE. Anyway, even throughout other trials and tribulations and other doctors and lazy psychiatrists, I can say I never really understood it until now. Dr. Asturias has really helped me understand… well… me.
Here’s what’s funny about me reviewing a psychologist: I HATE talking about myself. I can talk about bacon or last week’s Homeland or the air-​speed velocity of an unladen swallow for hours upon hours. When it comes to me. *shudder* The point is, this man should receive a medal for dealing with a patient like me who doesn’t understand the whole concept of talking about oneself. His patience is amazing. (I guess his patients are too, if I don’t say so myself.)
I was hesitant about visiting another therapist, period, and even moreso because he’s male. I know, I’m a total sexist, but it did give me pause. He’s just all kinds of fantastic though. And is just real. I feel like some therapists just spout out random cliches and junk, but he is very self-​aware if he’s using a cliché and lets me joke about the whole thing, but still makes sure I take my whole situation seriously.
Speaking of cliches, I know it’s the most cliché thing to say about a psychologist, but what the hell, I’ll say it anyway — he totally saved my life. It’s true. I’ve been through some goddamn dark times in my head, and I can honestly say that even though I’ve only been seeing him six months, I feel better about myself than I have in 15 years. And I’m excited about the future and even, dare I say… happy.

I really like my Doc, as much as you can like your therapist, I guess. I had two before him that I really DIDN’T like, so I do have something to compare him to. He’s everything that a therapist should be, and I particularly like that he’s never suggested I take meds, even though sometimes I wish he would.
Ah, he’s bilingual Spanish-​English, and is related somehow to Miguel Angel Asturias, the Guatemalan author, so that’s pretty cool too. Thanks, Doc!