Lunarosa Peralta

_{MPH, MA, AMFT}

Welcome to my corner of the therapy world.I'm Lunarosa, and I work with people who don't quite fit the conventional mold, folks navigating openness, polyamory, kink, sex work, queer identity and more. I treat this site like a conversation - old school internet meets real talk about the work I do. If you're considering therapy and this feels like a fit, send me a note.~
Accepting clients November 2025

About Lunarosa

I believe that the most interesting parts of ourselves often live in the spaces between the roles and identities we claim, and the stories we tell about who we're supposed to be. My work is about exploring those liminal spaces with compassion, and a deep respect for the complexity of human experience.Growing up in rural Georgia's deeply religious Baptist community taught me early that life rarely fits into neat categories. I learned to navigate contradiction by holding both the enormity of religion and the courage to question everything. That tension between belonging and becoming has shaped how I see the world and informs every conversation I have with clients. For over a decade, I've been fascinated by how people's stories shape their reality. As a qualitative researcher, I became skilled at absorbing complex material (the triggering kind that makes people uncomfortable) and creating space where difficult truths could be explored safely.As a therapist, I'm drawn to folks navigating non-traditional relationships, sexual identity, and the beautiful mess of living authentically without a playbook. Whether you're opening a relationship, questioning everything you thought you knew about love, or simply trying to exist in a world that prefers you easier to digest, I see the courage in your exploration. I believe healing is both deeply practical and mysteriously felt, and that the best therapy happens when we honor both.

My Approaches

Who I Work With
I work with people who know what it's like to live on the margins. You've always felt different, like the rules everyone else follows don't quite fit your life. You understand what it means to feel misunderstood, to carry the weight of societal judgment, or to feel lonely in your quest to figure out why things feel so complicated. Whether you're questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself, or finally ready to live authentically after years of trying to fit in, this work is for you.I specialize in working with:
- Young adults figuring out who they are beyond family and cultural expectations
- Anyone processing grief, loss, infidelity, big transitions or relationship ruptures
- LGBTQIA+ individuals questioning, coming out, or integrating their identity
- Individuals and couples exploring polyamory and ethical non-monogamy
- People in sex work and adult industries navigating identity and boundaries
- Polycules and relationship networks seeking group support
- People who are simply tired of trying to make themselves smaller to fit in

How I work

Narrative Therapy: Rewriting the stories that no longer serve you
Society has lots of opinions about how you should live and love. We'll separate your authentic story from all the "shoulds" and judgments you've internalized. Instead of "I'm broken," we explore "How has shame and expectation been affecting your relationships?"Internal Family Systems (IFS): Getting to know all the parts of yourself
You're not just one thing, you're a multitude. IFS helps us understand these different aspects of yourself without judgment. We'll get curious about what each part needs and how they can work together, rather than against each other.Gottman Method: Building relationships that actually work
Whether you're in a monogamous couple or a more complexly designed relationship structure, communication is everything. Using research-backed tools, we'll work on expressing needs with structure and skill-based exercises - managing conflict without destroying connection.Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Understanding your needs in your connections
Underneath every relationship struggle is usually an attachment need. We'll identify the patterns keeping you stuck and help you express your real needs in ways that invite connection instead of defensiveness.UX (User Experience): Designing relationships that work for everyone
Drawing from my decade in qualitative research, I bring a unique approach to complex relationship dynamics. We'll map out emotions, assess everyone's needs, and create frameworks that help you design relationship structures that function intentionally.

My Offerings

I integrate narrative, systems, and attachment-based approaches with research methodology to help individuals and relationships navigate authentically. My background in qualitative research brings unique tools for understanding complex relationship dynamics.I offer individual sessions and couple, family, group and polycule sessions. I occasionally offer experiential workshops for playful intimacy experiences, often held within curated community or art-based spaces.In-person appointments are located in Walnut Creek, California.Per Session Rates:Individual Therapy (50 mins): $150
Couples Therapy (50 mins): $160
Couples Therapy (75 mins): $250
Group Therapy (60 mins): $70_{[I do not bill health insurance, however, I can provide monthly superbills if requested. Your insurance coverage may provide for out-of-network care.]}

Schedule a 15-min Consult:

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I usually respond within 48 hours.