(she/her)
New to Grow
My name is Taija-Rae Guzman and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of social work experience and over 5yrs of clinical experience. I am committed to expanding mental health awareness and access across all communities, with a specialty in supporting people of color impacted by social systemic issues, complex life experiences and just having difficulties finding space and peace while navigating their lives. I have worked across diverse settings including foster care, schools, early intervention, outpatient and crisis services, and with individuals with intellectual and co-occurring disorders. While I am equipped to work with a wide range of clients and concerns, my clinical passion has been shaped by my experience as a mental health clinician at Rikers Island Jail in NYC for several years, where I deepened my understanding of generational trauma, systemic inequities, and the emotional/ psychological effects of justice system involvement. I provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care, helping clients build self-awareness, process past experiences, and move toward more grounded, intentional futures. My work is rooted in the belief that healing is possible—and that with the right support, individuals can move beyond survival and truly blossom.
In our first session, you can expect a welcoming, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where your story is heard with care and compassion. We’ll explore what brings you to therapy, gather some of your history, begin identifying your goals, and lay the foundation for meaningful growth at a pace that feels right for you. I'll also provide clients with an introduction about my professional style and experience so you can get to know me better. Clients might walk away with some thought provoking "homework" to encourage continued reflection until our next session.
My greatest strength is creating a grounded, culturally responsive space where clients feel safe, respected, and understood. I prioritize building authentic therapeutic relationships, especially with individuals who have felt unseen or misunderstood in past spaces. My approach is relatable, caring, compassionate, person-centered, supportive and encouraging, while also gently challenging clients to step into their growth and reach their fullest potential. I often describe the work as walking alongside clients through difficult moments—metaphorically holding your hand when things feel heavy—while also supporting you in moving through and beyond those challenges. Clinically, I bring extensive experience working with complex trauma, crisis situations and system-involved populations, allowing me to remain calm, present and effective in high-stress moments. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based practices, and positive psychology to help clients increase insight, recognize patterns and connect past experiences to present challenges. My approach is flexible and integrative, balancing structure with support so clients gain both emotional understanding and practical, actionable tools. I focus on emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience in ways that feel sustainable and realistic. At my core, I meet clients where they are while gently supporting them toward growth, stability and deeper self-understanding.
I support individuals, couples, and families who are navigating trauma, unresolved past experiences, anxiety, stress, emotional overwhelm, and the challenges that come with life transitions or shifts in identity. My ideal clients are those who are curious about themselves, open to reflection, and committed to exploring new ways of coping, relating, and moving through life—even when things feel stuck or uncertain. I also specialize in working with people impacted by complex life experiences such as generational trauma, community violence, systemic inequities, and involvement with the justice system. I provide a safe, affirming, and collaborative space where clients can better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, and make sense of patterns that may no longer be serving them. Whether working individually, with couples, or with families, I support clients in addressing emotional and behavioral challenges while building healthier ways of connecting, communicating, and coping. My goal is to help create meaningful, sustainable change that supports both personal growth and healing within relationships and communities.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a practical form of therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. In my practice, I would work with clients to notice unhelpful thought patterns, see how those thoughts affect how they feel and behave, and then try out new ways of thinking or acting that can lead to better outcomes. It’s very hands-on and focused on the present, often involving small exercises or “homework” between sessions so clients can practice new skills in real life.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the use of psychology in the legal and criminal justice system. It involves understanding people’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior in situations related to crime, court cases, and corrections. In simple terms, forensic psychologists help the courts and legal system better understand a person’s mental state, assess things like decision-making or risk, and sometimes provide treatment or guidance for people involved in legal cases or in prison settings.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy helps you slow down and pay attention to what you’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing in the present moment, without judging it or trying to push it away. Instead of getting caught up in stressful thoughts or emotions, you learn to notice them, accept them, and respond in a calmer, more balanced way. It often includes simple exercises like breathing techniques and grounding practices that you can use in everyday life to feel more steady and less overwhelmed.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is an approach to therapy that recognizes how past difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and sense of safety. Instead of focusing only on symptoms, it emphasizes understanding what someone has been through and creating a supportive, respectful environment where they feel safe and in control.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a supportive, collaborative approach to therapy that helps people explore their own reasons for change. Instead of being told what to do, clients are guided through conversations that help them clarify what they want, what’s getting in the way, and how ready they feel to make a change. It’s especially useful when someone feels stuck or unsure, because it helps strengthen their own motivation and confidence to take steps forward in a way that feels meaningful to them.