Hi! Hola (hablamos español)--I'm Jose. I've spent over 10 years working with people navigating some of the hardest parts of life--anxiety, depression, trauma, family stress, and everything in between. I've worked across schools, community programs, residential treatment, and inpatient care, which means I've sat with people at many stages of struggle, not just the polished version. Outside of work, I'm a mountain biker, a soccer player, a music lover (English and Spanish--anything with a good beat), and a proudly colorblind person who spent three years of college convinced his favorite shoes were brown. They were green. We all have blind spots. That's kind of the whole point. Therapy works best when it feels like a real conversation--not a performance. I'm not here to have all the answers or hand you a list of things to fix. I'm here to think alongside you, challenge you when it's useful, and create space for the kind of honesty that's hard to find anywhere else. I believe people are more than the title they carry--parent, partner, professional, caregiver. You're a whole person navigating a complicated life, and that's what we work with here.
First sessions are straightforward--I want to know who you are before I know what's wrong. We'll talk about what's bringing you in, what you've already tried, and what you actually want to be different. No intake-form energy. Just a real conversation. From there, my style is casual and direct. I'll gently push back when something's worth examining. I'll follow your lead on pace. And I'll be honest with you--because that's what actually helps. Sessions feel conversational, grounded, and occasionally funny. Laughter is allowed here. So is crying. Sometimes both in the same hour.
I meet people where they are--not where I think they should be. After 10 years working across schools, community programs, residential treatment, and inpatient care, I've learned that what actually moves the needle is a combination of genuine connection, honest conversation, and flexibility. I don't have a one-size-fits-all approach because people aren't one-size-fits-all. I'm also bilingual--which means if Spanish feels more natural for you, we work in Spanish. No translation needed, in any sense of the word.
I work with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, family conflict, and life transitions. If you're someone who wants to actually understand yourself--not just cope better--and you're willing to be honest in the room, we'll work well together. I also have experience with ADHD, anger management, self-esteem, serious mental illness, and couples counseling. If you're not sure whether I'm the right fit, reach out. I'd rather have that conversation than have you pick the wrong person. If Spanish is more comfortable for you--fully or partially--we can work that way. Therapy in your first language hits different. The offer is always open.
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
ADHD
Anger Management
Coping Skills
Hispanic / Latinx
Man
Adults (18 to 64)
Maryland
Aetna
Eclectic
My general approach is eclectic--which just means I don't force every client into the same method. Depending on what you need, I draw from CBT to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; DBT to build real skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and navigating difficult situations without making them worse; Motivational Interviewing to explore your own reasons for change without pressure or a predetermined destination; and trauma-informed care to make sure safety, trust, and your pace stay at the center of everything we do. I'm not trying to make therapy feel clinical. I'm trying to make it feel useful.