(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Patricia Hernandez, LCSW. I help mothers and women find their footing in the beautiful, messy transition of parenthood. My therapy style is a mix of deep root-work (Psychodynamic) and real-life tools (PCIT & CBT), always grounded in a Somatic and cultural perspective. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy; I meet you where you are to challenge the systems that weigh you down and celebrate the traditions that lift you up. Let’s work together to nurture your healing and your family’s future.
Our first session is all about creating a soft place for you to land. We will spend our time getting to know one another, exploring what brought you to therapy, and beginning to build the trust necessary for deep healing. My priority is to understand your unique story and cultural context so that we can collaboratively define treatment goals that feel authentic to your life. Think of this as the foundation-laying phase—where your comfort and our connection come first.
What stands out about my approach is the belief that a mother’s well-being is the heartbeat of the family. While we may use the PCIT model to navigate the external complexities of parenting, our deeper work centers on the woman behind the role. I provide a space where you can untangle your authentic self from the heavy web of societal "shoulds" and cultural expectations. By blending psychodynamic reflection with somatic grounding, we explore how your own history and the systems you move through impact your nervous system and your sense of self. My goal is to help you rediscover who you are in this new season—honoring your cultural roots while intentionally breaking cycles that no longer serve you. The result is a journey of reclamation: where you learn to meet your child’s needs without losing sight of your own, moving from a place of depletion to one of grounded, self-aware liberation.
I specialize in maternal mental health, supporting women through the perinatal period, postpartum recovery, and the ongoing challenges of motherhood. My ideal clients are mothers seeking to balance practical parenting tools (like PCIT) with deeper self-exploration. I help women address anxiety, depression, and identity shifts, providing a culturally-attuned space to heal from the roots up while managing the everyday demands of raising children.
Psychodynamic
Therapy with me is a balance of 'deep diving' and 'real-life' support. I use a psychodynamic perspective to help you understand the why behind your patterns, always through a cultural lens that respects your background. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, I meet you where you’re at—whether that’s a season of crisis or a season of self-discovery—to build a path forward that feels authentic to you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify and shift the thought patterns that may be holding you back. However, I recognize that our thoughts are often shaped by our cultural backgrounds and societal experiences. By applying a cultural lens to CBT, we work together to distinguish between internal cognitive distortions and valid external realities, ensuring our work honors your identity and lived truth.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
My approach to mindfulness focuses on meeting you where you are, recognizing that 'being present' looks different for everyone—especially for those navigating systemic stress or cultural expectations. We use mindfulness to build awareness of how your body carries the weight of your experiences. This allows us to process emotions in a way that feels culturally safe and personally authentic, rather than forcing a state of calm that doesn't feel real to your life.
Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT)
I utilize the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) model as a foundation for strengthening the bond between mothers and their children. However, I believe a mother’s well-being is inseparable from her parenting, so I take an eclectic approach that supports you through your own journey of motherhood. By blending behavioral tools with deeper emotional support, we work to decrease stress in the home while honoring the woman you are becoming alongside the child you are raising.
Somatic
In my practice, somatic work is a tool for liberation. We explore how societal systems manifest as physical tension or numbness, and we look to your own cultural heritage for pathways toward grounding and safety. By meeting you where you are physically and emotionally, I help you listen to your body’s narrative, honoring the ways your ancestors survived while creating space for you to thrive today.