William Gonzalez, LCSW
My earliest memories were at age six growing up in a Cuban-American family, living together in a six-bed group home with six developmentally disabled children. This taught me to care for the developmentally disabled at an early age. By the time I graduated high school and during the years of 1985 – 1988, I began working in the family business and ran one of three group homes for Developmentally Disabled adults and gained extensive experience with the North Los Angeles Regional Center and several other agencies working in placement and teaching independent living skills for the Developmentally Disabled.
I decided to build my own independence and began my endeavors working directly with county government as an Eligibility Worker, representing the needs of Medi-Cal and Food Stamps assistance programs. I grew and promoted during 1993 to 2001 and became an Employment Services Counselor for the CalWORKs/GAIN Program starting in Los Angeles County and transferring to Riverside County. From 2001 to 2010 I promoted with the Department of Mental Health Office of Public Guardian as a Deputy Public Guardian, managing case management, placement and estate affairs of Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Mentally Ill and other court-declared mentally incompetent persons.
I obtained my Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology from Cerritos Community College in June 1994. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton in January 2000 and obtained my Masters of Social Work degree from Loma Linda University on June 2, 2010. I was at a crossroads with my career development while working on my Bachelor’s Degree. I wanted to choose between Marriage and Family Counselor and the Master of Social Work Curriculum. In my venture towards self-discovery I decided to take on a second job as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I also began to take on administrative assignments in my job as an Employment Services Counselor and as a Deputy Public Guardian. These extra jobs and assignments have given me additional enriching experiences to discover more avenues in my career development.
My career covers a period of more than 22 years working with Los Angeles and Riverside Counties for Department of Social Services and Mental Health. I am licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I also hold memberships with the Phi Alpha Honor Society of Loma Linda University, California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardian and Public Guardian Conservator and National Association of Social Workers. I was the Liaison for Cultural Competency Committee for Riverside County Mental Health.
I previously worked as a Clinical Therapist with Riverside County Department of Mental Health in a Juvenile Justice program called Wraparound. We reunify juveniles with their family as a team approach to rebuilding resources, setting appropriate limits and boundaries and family structures to improve their quality of life for families. I currently work with the Federal government in the capacity of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Veterans Affair. I have vast experience in working with the mentally ill, dependent adults, children, adolescents, developmentally disabled and vulnerable elderly. I enjoy facilitating groups and working with the public in bringing a focus on quality and understanding their development.
I have enjoyed working with the tremendous cultural diversity offered by both Los Angeles and Riverside County agencies. Each person I have contacted has offered me a personal learning experience. I have learned that people bring me a tremendous wealth of knowledge about different cultural norms. My goal is always to empower individuals towards self-sufficiency in our culture, always being sympathetic towards the individual’s original culture.
My most recent endeavor has been with beginning my private practice at Murrieta Counseling Center. I will be working with individuals ranging in ages 13-17 (adolescents), 18-61 (adults, couples and families), 65+ (geriatric) to address, assist and bring home, healing and wholeness and mental health wellness to individuals dealing with the following: alcohol/chemical dependency, co-occurring disorders, death and dying/terminal illness, grief/bereavement, depression, marital/separation/divorce and men’s issues. I am offering Telemental Health via phone, tablet or computer for those individuals whose time is limited, those who have difficulties getting out of the house and can’t go to in person counseling sessions. These sessions are HIPPA compliant and may be right for you.
My personal mission is to continue to grow and develop the skills and bring personal enrichment to my clients and help create healthy, fulfilling life environments that lead to fulfilled and healthy, productive lives. I will work diligently to insure my clients have open lines of communication and the opportunity to increase and achieve their goals and personal success.
As I accomplish my mission I will renew and continue to practice my commitment towards outstanding customer service to my clients, fellow colleagues/employees, and the greater community I serve.