Meet Anthony Contreras, C.CHt.

Short BIO: Anthony Contreras, C.CHt.  is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and earned an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in Mind & Body Psychology. Over the past 15yrs he's worked in the field of Health Education and has worked with such diverse populations as the LGBTQAI+ Community, At-Risk Youth, and individuals that suffer with Substance Use Disorder.  Anthony worked at Tarzana Treatment Center’s for over thirteen years and in that time, he learned to combine his humor with his skills as a group facilitator, HIV Testing Counselor, Outreach Specialist, and Strength-Based Case Manager. He completed his career with Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. as the Program Supervisor for the SAMHSA funded Whole Health Integration Program (WHIP). He educated clients on the connection of Body, Mind & Spirit and guided them to success through an 8-week goal setting and completion process. Anthony received his certification at the Nationally Accredited Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) College of Hypnotherapy. He enjoys working with clients to resolve inner conflicts and help facilitate positive and healthy behavior changes through the use of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Parts Therapy, Positive Psychology and Hypnosis. He continues to work with diverse populations and educate and empower individuals through self-esteem building and positive thinking so they may accomplish their goals and live the fulfilled life that they truly desire! 

Bio: After struggling with deep depression after his own HIV diagnosis in June of 1997 at the age of 21, Anthony Contreras began his work in HIV education and prevention in 2006 with the start of his own non-profit HIV awareness organization called E.T.H.A.N. (Educated Thinking and HIV Awareness thru Nightlife). The success of his events and messages of self-esteem led to his starting position in March of 2007 as a Health Educator with Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. It was here where he learned to combine his humor with his skills as a group facilitator, HIV Testing Counselor and Outreach Specialist through such funded programs as Popular Opinion Leader (POL) and Self Help In Eliminating Life Threatening Diseases (SHIELD). He also utilized his unique style and delivery of information to work with diverse populations such as homeless youth at Covenant House California, Los Angeles (CHCLA) and the Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender Youth Center in Los Angeles (LALGBTYC), homeless substance users through AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and their Crystal Meth program and five years as the Program Supervisor of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded Getting OFF! Program. The Getting OFF! or GO! program used a modified version of the Matrix Model for Substance Use Disorder, Better Self Esteem and Art Therapy to help individuals identify childhood trauma, self-defeating beliefs, and build solutions towards healing. Anthony found his true calling in guiding individuals on their own journey of self-healing, self-acceptance and self-discovery. Anthony then worked as a Program Supervisor and Peer Support Specialist for the SAMHSA funded Whole Health Integration Program (WHIP) through Tarzana Treatment Centers where he instructed clients on the connection of Body, Mind & Spirit and then guiding them through the 8-week goal setting and completion process of success.  Continuing his personal journey of growth and understanding lead Anthony to develop and master the skills as a Hypnotherapist at the Nationally Accredited Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) College of Hypnotherapy. In this way he could work directly with clients to resolve inner conflicts and help facilitate positive and healthy behavior changes more rapidly than through “Talk” or “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” alone. His goal in life remains the same; to work with diverse populations and empower individuals through self-esteem building and positive thinking so they can live the fulfilled life they truly desire!