Lori Buelna, Therapist in San Jose, California — Zencare
Lori Buelna
Lori Buelna
Locations California Therapists Lori Buelna
Lori Buelna
Zencare Vetted

Lori Buelna

She/Her/Hers

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
California Accepting Online
Greater Bay Area Accepting In-person

Arrangements can be made to meet in a community setting to offer initial session and case management services to clients.

Updated October 10, 2022

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Caregiver stress & support
  • Aging related concerns
  • Depression
  • Life transitions
  • Loss, grief, and bereavement
Lori Buelna Lori Buelna Lori Buelna

Professional statement

Lori Buelna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in San Jose, CA. Lori specializes in working with individuals and families that find themselves overwhelmed with a chronic illness, the death of a loved one, or caretaking responsibilities. Lori works with adults who feel a sense of loss as they transition into a new part of life. She also works with many adults who are recovering from various mental health conditions. She believes people are incredibly resilient and capable beings with the ability to adapt and adjust to many challenging circumstances when motivated to set goals and focus on their strengths and healing. Additionally, she is very knowledgeable about community resources and public benefits to support persons living in the community with disability or those who are aging in place.

Lori is a Certified Grief Counselor. She understands the many faces that grief takes, including the new behaviors and habits that people fall into as a result of a loss. To help her clients adapt to their new normal, she draws from evidence-based therapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-focused Brief Therapy. Clients learn how to check in with themselves and name the emotions that they experience. Lori then collaborates with each client to establish and work towards specific mental health goals. She does this in a compassionate, warm way so that clients feel engaged, connected, and cared for.

Lori earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from San Jose State University. She has over 26 years of experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs supporting individuals with their mental health and physical rehabilitation goals in a variety of settings. When working with Lori, clients learn about their values, their strengths, and their resilience as they cope with overwhelming emotions.

Message to clients

I hope that you will put yourself first during this difficult time. I will offer you safe space to think and share out loud to discover the meaning of what is happening as you move toward harvesting our inner strengths. I appreciate that it is difficult to accept help and share our private human experience. Finding the right person to trust to openly share unfiltered feelings and thoughts will allow a calming relief. I hope to offer you an opportunity build new skills that will work best for you. I believe the body and the mind work together to heal naturally when you give it focus and permission to do so. You are the expert on you. I welcome you to collaborate with me with to set your goals based on what matters most to you and allow the progress to grow over time.

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Caregiver stress & support - Coping with anxiety, stress, fatigue, and burnout related to caring for a loved one; balancing the needs of others with one's own needs and health

Aging related concerns - Coping with memory loss, loss of independence, and other physical and/or mental impacts of aging. May include support for family or caregivers and resource planning for changes in living situation.

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Loss, grief, and bereavement - Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance

General expertise

Treatment approaches

Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Families
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Lori Buelna is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $200 (60min)

Additional session information

Therapist's note

Location(s)

Online Sessions (California)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 5:00pm-8pm
  • Tue 5:00pm-8pm
  • Wed 5:00pm-8pm
  • Thu 5:00pm-8pm
  • Fri 5:00pm-8pm
  • Sat Please inquire about hours
  • Sun Please inquire about hours
Greater Bay Area practice
Campbell Area, San Jose, California 95125
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 5:00pm-8:00pm
  • Tue 5:00pm-8:00pm
  • Wed 5:00pm-8:00pm
  • Thu 5:00pm-8:00pm
  • Fri 9:00am-12noon
  • Sat 9:00am-12noon
  • Sun Please inquire about hours

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 26 years

Self, Telebehavioral Health Clinician, 2021 - Present
Department of Veterans Affairs, Supervisory Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Primary Care, Home Based Primary Care, Women's Heath, Homeless Hoptel, Western Blind Rehabilitation Center), 2010 - Present
Department of Veterans Affairs, Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Coordinator, Outpatient Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Center, 2006 - 2010
Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Veterans Lodging Program /Coordinator, 2003 - 2006
Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, Licensed Clinical Social Worker/ Inpatient Psychiatry Service, Emergency Room, Inpatient Med/Surgery Weekend Coverage, 2002 - 2003
Washington Hospital, Gestational Diabetes Behavioral Specialist/ Per Diem Medical Social Worker, 2001 - 2002
Department of Veterans Affairs, Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Rehabilitation Center, Inpatient Social Worker, 1998 - 2001
Department of Veterans Affairs, Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, Inpatient Psychiatry , 1997 - 1998
Community Service Agency, Mountain View, Older Adult Case Manager, 1996 - 1997
Department of Veterans Affairs, Menlo Park, Community Living Center/Hospice Social Work Intern, 1995 - 1996
Community Services Agency, Mountain View, Older Adult Case Manager/Homeless Shelter Case Manager, 1994 - 1995

American Academy of Grief Counseling through the Institute of Healthcare Professionals, Inc., Certified Grief Counselor, 2019
San Jose State University, Masters Social Work, Aging , 1996
University of California, Riverside, Bachelors, Psychology (Spanish Minor), 1993

Licensure

California: 19700

Languages

English