Manny is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts and a dedicated Mental Health Therapist. He is bilingual, fluent in Spanish, and earned his Master’s in Social Work from Springfield College in 2019, along with a post-master’s certification in Adolescent Trauma from Simmons University. Manny’s extensive experience spans various systems, including schools, courts, outpatient, and inpatient facilities. He has provided individual therapeutic services to children, adults, and the elderly, and has significant experience conducting psychiatric emergency mental health evaluations. Manny’s passion for the behavioral health field is deeply rooted in both personal and professional experiences. As an immigrant who grew up in an underserved community with significant stigma surrounding behavioral health, he understands firsthand how cultural stigma can hinder the treatment of underlying childhood trauma, leading to ongoing behavioral challenges in adulthood. Additionally, he recognizes that the lack of culturally sensitive therapeutic services disproportionately affects marginalized communities, such as the uninsured, housing insecure, and immigrants. This awareness drives Manny to bridge the gap in mental health care by offering culturally sensitive therapeutic services and addressing barriers to behavioral health care for individuals in these communities.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, clients can anticipate beginning a supportive and trusting relationship within a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment. Manny will work to understand the client’s main concerns, goals for therapy, and the issues they wish to explore and address.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Manny utilizes a range of evidence-based treatment modalities, including strength-based approaches, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, CBT, DBT, mindfulness techniques, and solution-focused therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Manny’s greatest strengths include his versatility, as he effectively works with a broad range of age groups and tailors therapeutic approaches to diverse needs. He employs evidence-based methods, such as CBT and solution-focused therapy, which are well-supported by research and effective for various issues. Manny’s empathy and communication skills enable him to build rapport quickly and create a safe, supportive space for clients. He is also highly adaptable, skillfully adjusting therapeutic techniques to fit each client’s individual circumstances and preferences. Additionally, Manny’s bilingualism in Spanish allows him to connect with Spanish-speaking clients in their native language, and his commitment to reducing mental health stigma and helping individuals access community resources reflects his dedication to serving underserved and diverse communities.