Meet Dr. Ramon Coronado, Ph.D., LCSW, MPA

Founder and Therapist, Growth Guidance Therapy

A Nontraditional Path That Shapes the Way I Work

I didn’t take a traditional path to higher education—and that is exactly why this work matters so deeply to me.

I grew up in South Central Los Angeles as a first-generation student, navigating poverty and limited access to resources. Like many families, we did not have a roadmap for college, and I had to figure much of it out on my own.

I left high school and later earned my GED at 20. It was not until I was 27 that I began my college journey—older than most, but determined to create a different future.

Step by step, I learned how to navigate systems that were not always designed for students like me. Along the way, I developed more than academic skills. I learned how to persist, adapt, make difficult decisions, and build confidence in unfamiliar spaces.

That journey eventually led me to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University, a Master of Social Work from Cal State Long Beach, a Master of Public Administration from Cal Poly Pomona, and a Ph.D. from Our Lady of the Lake University.

But more important than the degrees is the perspective I bring.

I understand what it feels like to be unsure of what comes next. I understand the pressure of expectations, the uncertainty of taking a path that looks different, and the experience of wondering whether you truly belong in the rooms you are trying to enter.

That perspective shapes the way I work with individuals and couples. I believe your current chapter does not define your potential. Therapy can help you understand what is keeping you stuck, clarify what you want, and make choices that feel more intentional.

My style is active, direct, collaborative, and human. I will ask thoughtful questions, challenge patterns when it is useful, and help connect insight to real-life change. There is room for honesty, curiosity, and humor along the way.

You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning. You only need to be willing to start where you are.

Why This Matters in Therapy

I understand what it feels like to be unsure of what comes next. I understand the pressure of expectations, the uncertainty of taking a path that looks different, and the experience of wondering whether you truly belong in the rooms you are trying to enter.

That perspective shapes the way I work with individuals and couples. I believe your current chapter does not define your potential. Therapy can help you understand what is keeping you stuck, clarify what you want, and make choices that feel more intentional.

How I Work

My style is active, direct, collaborative, and human. I will ask thoughtful questions, challenge patterns when it is useful, and help connect insight to real-life change.

There is room for honesty, curiosity, and humor along the way. You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning. You only need to be willing to start where you are.

If you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a first session or reach out to talk about whether we may be a good fit.