Dr. Manuel Evangelista , LCSW

Dr. Manuel Evangelista is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Utah who blends social, biological, and psychological perspectives to support healing and growth. He offers individual, group, and family therapy and draws on psychodynamic and humanistic traditions alongside transformative spiritual practices. His work aims to help adults ages 19 to 69 move beyond mere symptom reduction so they can find greater balance in physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

His therapeutic style reflects both eastern healing traditions and western neuroscience, emphasizing acceptance, meaning, and the capacity to tolerate distress rather than solely attempting to change difficult events. A trauma survivor himself, he views pain and suffering as unavoidable aspects of the human experience and works with clients to reduce the additional harm that comes from resisting those realities. As a Zen practitioner and mindfulness teacher, he brings contemplative practices into clinical work to deepen awareness and resilience.

Dr. Manuel Evangelista has graduate and postgraduate education in social work and counseling and is trained in psychotropic medication management, collaborating with clients and their prescribers when appropriate. Over years of clinical work and advocacy he has cultivated what he describes as a warrior-like woundedness and the willingness to sit and listen with courage and compassion.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Manuel Evangelista uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness-informed methods to help clients relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. ACT focuses on accepting internal experience while taking actions that align with personal values, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental attention, supporting emotion regulation and increased resilience in the face of trauma and life transitions.

He also employs client-centered principles, creating a compassionate and nonjudgmental space where the therapist and client collaborate to identify goals and tailor interventions. Determining the right approach is part of the therapeutic process - he works together with each person to find methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences so therapy feels practical and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in this work, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from home or elsewhere, accommodate busy schedules, and maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are difficult. The focus remains on effective, collaborative work regardless of the format.