Pilar Raygoza, LMFT is a therapist who works with children, teens, and families, supporting youth ages 2–18 and their caregivers. Her path into mental health began during her undergraduate studies at UC Riverside, where she worked as a research assistant in a social psychology lab and developed a strong interest in how relationships, emotions, and environments shape children’s behavior and development. Alongside her academic work, Pilar gained hands-on experience as a substitute teacher, which deepened her passion for supporting children’s emotional and developmental growth. She later transitioned into community mental health in 2021, where she has worked closely with families navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and family stress. Pilar takes a warm, collaborative, and family-centered approach to therapy. She focuses on strengthening the parent–child relationship and supporting caregivers in building confidence and connection with their children, including through parent–child interaction work and PCIT-informed approaches. Pilar believes meaningful change happens when families feel safe, understood, and supported, and she prioritizes building strong, trusting relationships with both children and caregivers. Outside of her work as a therapist, Pilar enjoys staying active by going to the gym and taking walks, spending quality time with her family, and recharging through music and video games.