My name is Kimberly Yantuche-Hernandez and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in anxiety, panic attacks, mood disorders, stress, depression, trauma, behavioral issues, anger and impulse control, relationship problems, and self-esteem issues by utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Managing and Adaptive Practice (MAP), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and play therapy. I have always had a passion for helping others. My journey has included advocating for others, volunteering in schools and the community, interning as graduate student, or working at non- profits with the underserved, unrepresented minority population. A great part of my life has been supporting and uplifting those around me see their capacity to strive, persevere, and achieve. I feel I aligned myself towards a career that gave me the opportunity to continue to help, advocate, and serve those in need of support.
What is expected in one's first session is to review confidentiality and limits of, complete an assessment by exploring what has brought one into therapy, current life stressors, sxs, bxs, and coping abilities, while building rapport, and setting a foundation for a healthy therapeutic relationship.
I am dedicated to creating a platform where clients can communicate their current life stressors and/or triggers while learning about themselves and their ability to grow and heal. I do this by communicating empathetically, helping clients to feel heard, acknowledged, validated, and praised.
I am prepared to serve Latinx, transitional age youth (18-24),and adults.
In my experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I've found it to be an incredibly effective, structured approach for helping clients address negative thought patterns and unhelpful behaviors. I use CBT in my practice by first assessing each client’s unique challenges and setting personalized goals. I then guide clients in identifying and challenging automatic negative thoughts, using cognitive restructuring to replace them with more balanced perspectives. Behavioral interventions, such as exposure exercises or reinforcement of positive actions, are incorporated to help clients manage their emotions and reactions. Throughout the process, I assign practical homework to reinforce new skills, and I work on relapse prevention strategies to ensure long-term success. By combining these techniques, I empower clients to take an active role in their healing, leading to meaningful and sustainable changes in their lives.
In my experience with Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), I have seen it be an invaluable tool for fostering healthy attachment and addressing trauma in young children. I use CPP in my practice to support both the child and their parent(s) by creating a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore their relationship and emotional experiences. By focusing on the parent-child bond, I help parents understand how their own responses and behaviors can influence their child’s emotional and behavioral development. Together, we work on strengthening communication, developing effective parenting strategies, and processing any past trauma or difficult experiences that may be impacting the family dynamic. Throughout the process, I ensure a collaborative approach, supporting both the child and parents in building healthier patterns of interaction and emotional regulation for long-term well-being.
In my experience with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), I have found it to be an essential method for helping individuals, particularly children and adolescents, process and heal from trauma. I use TF-CBT in my practice by guiding clients through a structured process that integrates cognitive behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive approaches. First, I help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the context of their traumatic experiences. Through gradual exposure, we work on processing the trauma in a safe and supportive environment, allowing them to reframe negative beliefs and develop healthier coping strategies. In addition, I involve parents or caregivers in the therapy process, equipping them with tools to support their child’s healing. By focusing on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and building resilience, TF-CBT allows clients to regain a sense of safety and empowerment, enabling them to move forward with greater strength and emotional well-being.