New to Grow
Hello, and welcome. I’m glad you’re here. Seeking help to improve your mental health is not always easy—it takes courage and strength. Taking that first step can open the door to healing, emotional recovery, and meaningful positive change. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience supporting adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, and families who are navigating emotional and relational challenges. Throughout my career, I have provided therapeutic services in private practice, county and community-based clinics, residential programs, and educational settings. I am committed to helping clients gain insight, learn effective coping strategies, build resilience, and feel empowered to create a more balanced and fulfilling life. I approach therapy with compassion, empathy, and respect, supporting clients as they move toward greater well-being, confidence, and personal joy.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we will spend time discussing what brings you to therapy and addressing any questions or concerns you may have about the process. We will also explore your strengths, personal and cultural background, values, and goals for therapy. My intention is to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can openly share your experiences and feel heard and understood. Together, we will begin identifying the areas where you would like support and how therapy can help you move toward healing, growth, and greater well-being. My goal is to create a personalized therapeutic process that supports each client’s unique needs, strengths, and goals. I believe that every person has the potential to create a meaningful and fulfilling life, and my hope is that you leave our sessions feeling supported, understood, and hopeful about your therapeutic journey.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my core strengths as a clinician is creating a warm, compassionate, empathetic and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and emotions. I value open communication and a collaborative therapeutic relationship where clients feel respected and empowered in their healing process. I am bilingual and provide therapy in both English and Spanish. I have experience working with a variety of mental health challenges. I am trained in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, DBT, CBT, ACT, and Family-Based Therapy (FBT), etc. I integrate these approaches based on each client’s unique needs, concerns, and strengths. I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative. My role is to guide and support you, while honoring your expertise in your own life. Together, we will work toward healing, personal growth, and building a life that feels meaningful and worthwhile.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice as a therapist, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I begin by providing psychoeducation about how negative or unhelpful thoughts can influence feelings and actions. Then I help clients identify their automatic thoughts and recognize patterns such as cognitive distortions. Through cognitive restructuring, we examine the evidence for these thoughts and develop more balanced perspectives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
In my practice as a therapist, I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce harmful behaviors. Treatment focuses on teaching four core skill to regulate emotions and improve interpersonal relationships. In sessions, I help clients apply these skills to real-life situations, often using coaching at managing difficult events, and encourage practice.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
In my practice, I provide Culturally Sensitive Therapy by recognizing and respecting each client’s cultural background, values, language, and life experiences. I strive to understand how culture, family traditions, identity, and social factors influence a client’s mental health and coping styles. By creating a respectful and inclusive therapeutic environment, clients feel understood and supported, which helps strengthen the therapeutic relationship and improves treatment outcomes.
EMDR
In my practice, I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences. This approach helps clients reprocess difficult memories, so they become less emotionally overwhelming. I utilize bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping to help the brain reprocess the memory in a healthier way, reducing emotional distress and allowing clients to develop more adaptive beliefs about themselves and their experiences. EMDR is particularly helpful for trauma, anxiety, and other stress-related concerns.
Attachment-based
In my practice, I use Attachment-Based Therapy to help clients understand how early relationships with caregivers influence their current emotional patterns, relationships, and sense of safety. Therapy focuses on exploring attachment experiences and how they impacted their relational patterns; and providing a supportive and consistent therapeutic relationship, where clients can build trust, increase emotional awareness, and develop more secure attachment patterns that improve their relationships and overall well-being