Adlin Morales-Aguilu profile image

Adlin Morales-Aguilu

Adlin Morales-Aguilu

(she/her)

LCSW
16 years of experience
Virtual

Welcome to therapy. My name is Adlin Morales Aguilu, and I am a licensed psychotherapist here to support you on your journey towards greater well-being and personal growth. As your therapist, my role is to provide a safe and confidential space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Together, we will work collaboratively to understand the challenges you're facing and develop strategies to help you overcome them. I draw from various therapeutic approaches, tailoring our sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you're seeking support for managing stress, navigating relationships, coping with difficult emotions, or any other concern, I am here to help you navigate through it. My approach is compassionate, nonjudgmental, and client-centered. I believe in your innate capacity for healing and resilience, and I am committed to empowering you to make positive changes in your life. Please feel free to share openly and honestly during our sessions. Your confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and I am here to support you every step of the way. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey towards greater well-being.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first psychotherapy session together, my primary goal is to create a safe and welcoming space where you feel comfortable expressing yourself and sharing your concerns. Here's what you can expect: Introductions: We'll start by introducing ourselves and getting to know each other a bit. I'll share some information about my background and approach to therapy, and you're welcome to ask any questions you may have about the therapeutic process. Confidentiality: I'll explain the importance of confidentiality and assure you that our conversations are private and protected within legal and ethical boundaries. Discussion of Goals: We'll discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. This may involve exploring your current challenges, symptoms, and areas of your life where you're seeking support or change. Assessment: I may ask you some questions about your personal history, background, and current circumstances to better understand your situation. This helps me tailor our sessions to meet your specific needs. Exploration of Expectations: We'll talk about what you can expect from therapy and any concerns or expectations you have about the process. This includes discussing the frequency and duration of sessions, as well as any preferences you have for the therapeutic approach. Establishing Rapport: Building a strong therapeutic relationship is essential for effective therapy. I'll encourage you to share openly and honestly, and I'll strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard and understood. Initial Insights and Coping Strategies: Depending on your needs, I may offer some initial insights or coping strategies to help you manage your symptoms or distress. These may include relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, or reframing negative thoughts. Setting the Stage for Future Sessions: We'll discuss scheduling future sessions and any homework assignments or goals you'd like to work on between sessions.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

As a psychotherapist, I believe my greatest strengths lie in several key areas: Empathy: I have a deep capacity for empathy, which allows me to understand and connect with my clients on a personal level. I strive to create a warm and supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and validated. Active Listening: I am a skilled listener who pays close attention to my clients' verbal and nonverbal cues. I listen with an open mind and without judgment, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Collaborative Approach: I view therapy as a collaborative process between myself and my clients. I respect each client's unique experiences, perspectives, and goals, and I work together with them to develop personalized treatment plans that address their individual needs. Flexibility: I am adaptable and flexible in my approach to therapy, drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities and techniques to meet the specific needs of each client. I am open to feedback and willing to adjust my approach as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes. Empowerment: I believe in empowering my clients to take an active role in their own healing and growth. I encourage them to tap into their strengths and resources, build resilience, and develop coping skills that enable them to navigate life's challenges with confidence. Cultural Sensitivity: I am committed to providing culturally sensitive and inclusive therapy that honors the diversity of my clients' backgrounds, identities, and experiences. I strive to create a safe and welcoming space for clients from all walks of life. Overall, I believe that my strengths as a psychotherapist lie in my ability to form authentic connections with my clients, empower them to achieve their goals, and support them on their journey towards greater well-being and fulfillment.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I am passionate to serve clients facing challenges with depression, anxiety, compulsive sexual behaviors, traumas, body image dissatisfaction, and eating disorders.

About Adlin Morales-Aguilu

Licensed in

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

ACT is based on the idea that struggling against difficult thoughts and emotions often leads to further distress. Instead of trying to control or avoid these experiences, ACT encourages us to accept them for what they are. This doesn't mean we have to like or agree with them, but rather, we acknowledge their presence without judgment. We have space to act accordingly to our values instead of letting our thoughts control our actions. I have seen countless of patients benefitting from ACT.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior. CBT is a structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that focuses on how our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors influence our emotions and vice versa. This method can help you uncover distorted thinking and find realistic way of thinking that brings emotional freedom. I have seen countless of patients benefitting from CBT.

Cognitive Processing (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is very structured and you will be given worksheets to work on allowing you to make progress even when you are not in the session. I have seen many patients benefiting from this treatment method. Patients have shared that they no longer suffer PTSD after completing the amount of sessions recommended.

Sex Therapy

Compulsive sexual behavior therapy, also known as sex addiction therapy or hypersexuality therapy, is a specialized form of therapy designed to address problematic patterns of sexual behavior that interfere with an individual's daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. In therapy you will be introduced to the task model and a variety of modalities and intervention to understand and modify behaviors that are unhelpful.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

Overall, DBT aims to help individuals build a life worth living by developing skills to manage emotions, cope with distressing situations, and improve their relationships. It is an evidence-based therapy with a strong research base supporting its effectiveness. The main four keys components of DBT are mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT is a great treatment if the individual struggles with strong emotions, find it hard to stay present and has low tolerance to distress.