(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello! I'm Taija-Rae Guzman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 10 years of social work experience and over five years of clinical experience. I am passionate about expanding access to mental health care and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. I specialize in working with people of color who are navigating the effects of systemic barriers, complex life experiences, trauma, and the challenges of finding peace while managing everyday life. Throughout my career, I have worked in foster care, schools, early intervention, outpatient clinics, crisis services, and with individuals living with intellectual and co-occurring disorders. One of the experiences that has most shaped my clinical approach was working as a mental health clinician at Rikers Island in New York City. That work deepened my understanding of generational trauma, systemic inequities, and the emotional impact of justice system involvement. My approach is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and rooted in evidence-based care. I believe healing is possible for everyone. Together, we'll build greater self-awareness, process difficult experiences, strengthen healthy coping skills, and create meaningful change. My goal is to provide a supportive environment where you can move beyond simply surviving and begin to truly thrive.
During our first session, you can expect a welcoming, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where your story is met with compassion and respect. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, explore your background, and begin identifying goals that feel meaningful to you. I'll also share more about my therapeutic style so you know what to expect as we work together. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable while building a strong foundation for our work. Before the session ends, I may offer a reflection or small piece of "homework" to help you continue thinking about what we've discussed between sessions. You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin—we'll take it one step at a time together.
One of my greatest strengths is creating a grounded, culturally responsive environment where clients feel safe, respected, and understood. I value building authentic therapeutic relationships, especially with people who have previously felt overlooked or misunderstood. My style is warm, compassionate, supportive, and encouraging while also gently challenging you to grow beyond the patterns that no longer serve you. I often describe therapy as walking alongside my clients through difficult moments. When life feels overwhelming, you don't have to face it alone. I'll support you while helping you develop the confidence and tools needed to move forward. My clinical experience includes working with complex trauma, crisis situations, and individuals involved in multiple systems of care. These experiences have strengthened my ability to remain calm, present, and supportive during life's most difficult moments. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and positive psychology to help clients better understand themselves, recognize patterns, regulate emotions, and build resilience. Above all, I meet clients where they are. Together, we'll work toward greater self-awareness, emotional balance, healing, and lasting personal growth in ways that feel realistic, practical, and sustainable.
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.