LCSW-C, 18 years of experience
Iâm a Licensed Therapist and Certified Grief Informed Professional with over 17 years of experience providing therapy and community-based services to adolescents, adults, and families. Iâve had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages, and life experiencesâand I approach every client with genuine respect, openness, and care. Clients often describe me as warm, trustworthy, accepting, and empathetic. Iâm also a great listener who believes in fostering hope and healing through compassion and collaboration. My goal is to create a safe, judgment-free space where you can explore whatâs weighing on your heart and begin your journey toward feeling whole again. I help clients work through grief and loss, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and communication barriers. My approach is person-centered, which means our sessions will focus on your unique experiences and goals. I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you reframe unhelpful thought patterns, along with trauma-informed interventions to support your emotional safety and healing.
In your first session, you can expect a calm, supportive conversation where weâll talk about what brings you to therapy, what you hope to achieve, and whatâs been getting in the way. Itâs an opportunity for you to share your storyâat your own paceâwhile we begin building a trusting relationship and outline your path forward.
What sets my approach apart is my commitment to meeting you where you are. I view every challenge as an opportunity for growth, and every session as a chance to help you feel more grounded, empowered, and hopeful.
Iâm especially passionate about working with people who are ready to embrace change, heal from past pain, and reconnect with their sense of purpose. Whether youâre processing loss, rebuilding confidence, or navigating life transitions, Iâll be there to support youâone step at a timeâas you become the best version of yourself. It would be an honor to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery.
With over 17 years of experience working with individuals and families navigating profound loss, I approach grief therapy as a compassionate, deeply personal process. As a Certified Grief Informed Professional, I understand that grief has no timeline or âright wayâ to move forward. I create a safe space for clients to process their emotions, honor their loved oneâs memory, and explore what healing looks like for them. My approach blends emotional validation, narrative exploration, and meaning-making techniques to help clients reconnect with themselves and find hope and purpose beyond their pain. Together, we work toward transforming grief into growthâhelping you carry your loss with greater peace and understanding.
My work is grounded in a person-centered approach, which means that youânot the problemâare at the heart of our sessions. I believe every individual has the inner strength and capacity to heal when provided with genuine empathy, respect, and unconditional positive regard. In our work together, I focus on building a trusting, collaborative relationship where you feel seen, heard, and valued. Through active listening and reflective dialogue, I help you connect to your own insights, wisdom, and goals. This approach empowers you to become an active participant in your healing journey, fostering personal growth, self-acceptance, and lasting change.
Compassion-based therapy plays a vital role in my work with clients who struggle with self-criticism, guilt, or emotional exhaustion. I help clients cultivate self-compassion by challenging harsh inner narratives and encouraging a more balanced, forgiving view of themselves. Drawing on mindfulness, acceptance, and emotional awareness techniques, I guide clients in learning how to respond to suffering with kindness rather than judgment. This approach is especially helpful for individuals experiencing burnout, grief, or anxiety, as it builds emotional resilience and helps them reconnect with their inherent worth. My goal is to help you extend the same compassion toward yourself that you so readily offer to others.
4 ratings with written reviews
July 25, 2025
Yolanda provided exceptional care during my time working with her. Her authentic approach made me feel truly heard and understood - she created a safe space where I could be completely honest without fear of judgment. Her intelligence really showed through her thoughtful questions and insights that helped me understand myself better. She has a gift. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking genuine, skilled therapeutic support.
June 24, 2025
Great first session đ I look forward to more.
May 1, 2025
It is important to be heard and understood by your therapist. She makes it easy for you to talk to her so you can be open enough to get to all of your bullet points and topics.