What does a first session with you look like?
I will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you will find yourself talking about your current symptoms or struggles, as well saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, your goals and objectives to work in therapy. My role as therapist and/or counselor is to offer you the skills that you need to achieve the goals that you feel that can help to overcome the barriers that prevent you from getting the life that you wish.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I like to believe that my main reason to become a therapist was that I like to help others alone with that I am good at it. As I worked more in the field, it was sort of an experience of personal discovery. I have always been a good listener, but now I am not only a better communicator overall but a communicator who can be creative helping others to look for their own answers to solve their problems. .
What do you think is the biggest barrier today for people seeking care?
Stigma around mental health help is the most prevalent barrier that affect people of all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic from getting the services that they need. People who reach out for help are often seen as unpredictable, different, weak, “crazy,” or abnormal. Poor understanding of mental illnesses is the second factor that stigmatized mental health and hygiene, because most people don’t understand that they are experiencing a treatable mental condition that negatively affects their quality of life. Another issue that is a barrier to access mental health services is the difficulty accessing services but this is improving since 2008 when the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ensured that health plans had to provide the same coverage for mental health as they do for medical and surgical benefits. While this has expanded coverage for many people seeking mental health services, access to mental health providers remains a problem. Many people seeking treatment struggle to find a provider that is relatively close and accepting new patients. It is estimated that over 60% of people seeking treatment are forced to wait three months or longer for an appointment.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Communication issues
Source of communication challenges in circumstances and relationships that can have a negative impact on mental health. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations often lead to arguments in personal, platonic, or professional relationships.
Drug addiction & abuse
Dependence on particular substance or inability to control impulses in relation to drug or alcohol use. Withdrawal symptoms commonly experienced in absence of the substance.
Marriage issues
Issues within a marriage. Can include issues related to trust, intimacy, communication, infidelity, parenting, or conflict. Can also include discussion related to separation or divorce.
General Expertise
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
Fees
$110
First Session
$120
Family Therapy
$110
Couples Therapy
$110
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Individual Session
Couples Session
Group Session
Clientele
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Marriage and Family Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Training / Certifications
Person Center Treatment Planning, Clinical Management of HIV infection, Child Abuse and Prevention, Working with Trauma, Understanding Mental Illness, Cultural Competency, Treatment of Bipolar Disorder, The Emotional Storm: Distress Tolerance Skills, Fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing, Understanding OCD and Treatment with Exposure and Response Prevention, The Emotional Storm: Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy,Turning Intentions into Actions; CBT for Adult ADHD.
Licensure
NY, LMHC, 000289-01
Education
Master of Sciences in Education: Rehabilitation and Counseling; Mental Health Counselor
Work History
An important aspect of my professional development has been that I have been able to combine principles of cognitive behavioral therapy with principles of rehabilitation counseling for over 20 years. I have extensive experience working with adults, elderly, families, couples, as well as with the chronically mentally ill, physically impair and emotionally challenged, facilitating groups and individual therapy for these different populations. I also have experience working with substance abuse population and the combination that at times occurs of mental stress and substance abuse. I am bilingual and bicultural English/Spanish which gives me a broader view of mental health issues.
Location
111-25 37 Avenue, Apt #3, Corona, 11368, NY