My name is Algelis Gonzalez, though I am commonly known as Al. My motivation to become a therapist stems from my personal journey. Growing up in a Latino culture, I developed a curiosity about people both within my community and beyond. This curiosity has driven me to understand the reasons behind our behaviors, both positive and negative. Throughout my career as a therapist, I continue to learn and grow, drawing from the vast knowledge available in the field. I am deeply committed to helping my clients embrace their true selves, regardless of their personality traits—whether they are humorous, quiet and shy, hesitant to trust, or feeling frustrated with the world. I believe that everyone is welcome in my practice. Recognizing that none of us are perfect and that we are all striving to make sense of life’s complexities, I focus on exploring my clients’ experiences with respect and understanding. My goal is to facilitate their growth in ways they may not have previously thought possible.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My primary objective in the first session with any client is to create an environment where they feel safe to express their vulnerability and at home in the therapeutic space. Establishing this sense of safety is essential to my role as a professional, as I view each client I serve as a privilege. I am committed to fostering a supportive atmosphere that encourages open communication and trust from the very beginning of our work together.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My strengths as a therapist lie in my capacity for understanding, empathy, and genuine care. I prioritize creating a non-judgmental space that respects each client’s individuality, allowing them to express themselves authentically and openly. This foundation fosters a trusting therapeutic relationship that is essential for personal growth and healing.
About Algelis Gonzalez
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
I utilize Motivational Interviewing as a therapeutic modality to facilitate clients' journeys toward becoming their most authentic selves while honoring their autonomy in the treatment process. This approach fosters an environment where clients feel comfortable engaging in therapy, thereby enhancing the development of a trustworthy therapeutic relationship. By employing techniques such as empathetic listening and open-ended questions, I encourage clients to explore their thoughts and feelings freely, ensuring they feel understood and validated. Motivational Interviewing emphasizes a client-centered focus, affirming that individuals are the experts of their own lives and that the decision to change ultimately resides with them. Through collaborative goal setting and a strengths-based perspective, I support clients in articulating their motivations for change, helping them align their actions with their core values. This respectful and empowering approach not only addresses clients’ ambivalence toward change but also reinforces their commitment to personal growth, fostering an effective and meaningful therapeutic experience.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I assist clients in restructuring their automatic thoughts to foster a more positive outlook on life. During therapy sessions, clients learn to critically examine their automatic beliefs, which can be detrimental to their daily functioning. Common negative thoughts such as "I am not smart enough," "They will never accept me," and "I have no skills or talents" often permeate individuals' self-talk. This pervasive negativity frequently acts as a significant barrier to personal growth and well-being. I believe that such negative self-talk often indicates a lack of awareness or effective coping strategies rather than an inherent deficiency in the individual. As a therapist, my role is to educate and guide clients in exploring and recognizing their strengths, enabling them to leverage these qualities as tools to enhance their self-worth and overall mental health. Through this process, clients gain greater confidence in their abilities and a more positive self-image, which can lead to meaningful improvements in their daily lives.
Faith based therapy
In my practice, I recognize that spirituality plays a vital role in each individual's well-being. During times when life feels overwhelming and beyond our control, many individuals seek solace in something greater than themselves. Through my experience, I have engaged clients in exploring their personal beliefs and encourage them to maintain their spiritual practices, regardless of life's challenges. I emphasize the importance of tracking and nurturing their spiritual health, as this can significantly contribute to their sense of fulfillment and wholeness. By integrating spirituality into the therapeutic process, clients often find a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them, fostering resilience and a greater sense of purpose in their lives.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
In employing Person-Centered Therapy, I ensure that clients are treated with respect and approached with empathy and genuine care. This therapeutic model prioritizes a non-judgmental environment where clients can actively engage in understanding their issues and exploring potential solutions. While all ethical therapists should maintain a non-judgmental stance, Person-Centered Therapy specifically focuses on understanding each client’s personal truth, allowing them to feel genuinely heard and to clarify their core values. My approach emphasizes the creation of a safe and supportive space where clients feel free to express their thoughts and emotions openly. By fostering this environment, I encourage clients to explore their feelings without fear, facilitating their journey toward self-discovery and personal growth. This client-centered methodology not only strengthens the therapeutic relationship but also empowers individuals to take an active role in their healing process.
Couples Counseling
In my experience with couples counseling, a central focus is examining the foundation of the relationship and how each individual's standards may evolve over time. Often, when two people come together, they agree on certain expectations for how their marriage or relationship should function. However, these ideals can shift as individuals grow and change. I have observed that these changes are often a reflection of personal growth. In counseling sessions, I listen to both partners' concerns and challenges, addressing what changes each individual wishes to see in the relationship. A key aspect of my approach is working with couples to enhance communication and develop strategies for creating a more united and supportive dynamic.