What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?
We all have wounds to heal. Trauma is universal and each person has their own unique journey of healing and reintegration. Having learned this universal truth, I have chosen empathy, openness, and heart-centered care as key elements of my approach as a therapist and life coach.
What does a first session with you look like?
Each initial session is focused on getting to know each other, building rapport, and generally exploring current needs. Creating a therapeutic relationship based on trust, clarity, and openness is key to a succesful therapy journey. I make sure each person feels comfortable and respected while opening a safe space to promote self-exploration in the healthiest way possible.
What do you think is the biggest barrier today for people seeking care?
I believe that one of the biggest barriers keeping people from seeking emotional and mental health care are social constructs about what it means to be healthy. An excessive and imbalanced focus on the body, lack of education in regards to mental health, and taboos have led to many people ignoring their inner wounds, their family related traumas and their connection with their own identities. To be healthy is to be holistically in balance (body, mind, emotions, and spirit). I work with each person via a step-by-step process that integrates all dimensions of being and identifies their unique patterns of behaviors, thought processes, habits, relationships and family history with the goal of safely and effectively guiding them throughout their healing process.
Specialties
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.
Family issues
Familial relationships can be the source of stress and emotional pain, even in the healthiest of situations. Painful interactions can range from irritation to resentment and lead to feelings of guilt, disappointment, and anger.
Life coaching
Process designed to equip people with tools, motivation, and inspiration necessary to make positive change and maximize personal and professional potential. Life coaches are generally helpful during life transitions or for goal setting and completion.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
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.
ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) causes a hard time focusing attention and controlling restless or impulsive behavior. People with ADHD might have emotional outbursts, be forgetful, and/or find it difficult to stay organized.
Fees
$120
First Session
$150
Family Therapy
$135
Couples Therapy
$120
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Strength Based Therapy
Art Therapy
Coaching
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Licensure
MA, LMHC, 11618
Education
Masters degree - Psychology - Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Bachelors degree - Psychology - University of Puerto Rico
Work History
My initial experience as a therapist was while finishing my masters degree in Puerto Rico. I practiced providing therapy to children, youth, and adults in a clinical setting, as well as administering psychological tests. Eventually, I moved to Massachusetts and worked as an Clinical In-Home Therapist with Gandara Center for 4 years. My main focus during this work experience was providing intensive and culturally sensitive therapeutic care to families and children both in home and school settings. Afterwards, I started my private practice and eventually shifted to working remotely. I've recently integrated holistic life coaching as one of the services provided via my practice.
Location
Remote Therapy, Northampton, 01060, MA