Licensed to practice in New Jersey and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello, and welcome. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with over 20 years of experience helping individuals navigate life's challenges. I provide therapy in both English and Spanish for adults and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, stress, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment. Together, we'll identify your strengths, build effective coping skills, and work toward meaningful, lasting change at a pace that feels right for you. As a bilingual therapist, I understand how culture, family dynamics, immigration experiences, and the challenges of balancing multiple identities can affect emotional well-being. For clients who desire it, I also offer Christian faith-integrated counseling, thoughtfully incorporating biblical principles and Christian values into the therapeutic process while using evidence-based clinical approaches. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating a major life transition, working through past experiences, or seeking to strengthen your emotional and spiritual well-being, I look forward to supporting you on your journey toward healing and growth.
During our first session, we'll take time to get to know each other and discuss what brings you to therapy. I'll ask about your current concerns, personal history, strengths, relationships, and the goals you'd like to work toward. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about my approach and determine whether we're a good fit. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. Together, we'll begin developing a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and identify practical steps you can start using between sessions. If you prefer, we can also incorporate your Christian faith or cultural values into therapy as part of your treatment.
I believe meaningful change happens when compassion and honesty go hand in hand. Clients often describe me as warm, supportive, and easy to talk to, but I also won't hesitate to gently challenge unhelpful patterns, beliefs, or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is to help you gain insight while also taking practical steps toward lasting change. Over the course of my career, I've worked with people from many different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences, including those navigating trauma, addiction, family conflict, grief, and major life transitions. These experiences have reinforced my belief that every person's story deserves to be heard with respect and without judgment. Whether we're exploring difficult emotions, building healthier coping skills, or working through deeply rooted patterns, I'll meet you where you are while encouraging you to grow beyond where you are today. I believe therapy should be both supportive and empowering, providing a safe space to heal while also helping you move forward with confidence.
My ideal clients are adults and young adults who are looking for a supportive but active therapeutic process. I work best with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, substance use concerns, stress, or major life transitions, and who are ready to better understand themselves and make meaningful changes in their lives. Many of my clients are navigating complex life experiences, including family conflict, immigration and acculturation stress, cultural identity concerns, and intergenerational challenges. As a bilingual therapist (English and Spanish), I am especially well-positioned to support individuals who prefer to express themselves in Spanish or who feel more comfortable processing emotional experiences within a culturally responsive framework. My approach is a good fit for clients who value honesty, reflection, and growth. I provide a supportive space, but I also help clients identify patterns, challenge unhelpful thinking or behaviors, and take practical steps toward their goals. I work collaboratively with clients who are willing to engage both in-session and outside of session to support their progress. Overall, I am best positioned to serve clients who want structured, goal-oriented therapy that is compassionate, culturally aware, and focused on building long-term emotional resilience and independence.
I identify as
Eclectic
In my practice, I use an eclectic approach, meaning I draw from a variety of evidence-based treatment methods and tailor them to each client’s unique needs, goals, and lived experiences. Rather than relying on a single framework, I integrate different therapeutic tools to best support what the client is currently going through. This may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, Motivational Interviewing to support readiness for change, and trauma-informed interventions to ensure emotional safety and pacing when processing difficult experiences. I also incorporate strength-based and solution-focused strategies to help clients build practical coping skills and move toward meaningful goals. In addition, I adapt my approach to be culturally responsive and person-centered, taking into account each client’s cultural background, family dynamics, and personal values. When appropriate and desired by the client, I may also integrate mindfulness strategies or faith-based perspectives to support their overall well-being. My goal is to provide flexible, individualized care that meets clients where they are while helping them build insight, resilience, and lasting change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns that may be contributing to emotional distress or self-defeating behaviors, and we work on developing more balanced and realistic ways of thinking. I take a practical, collaborative approach, focusing on present-day challenges while also exploring how past experiences may be influencing current patterns. Sessions are goal-oriented and focused on building coping skills that clients can apply in their daily lives, such as managing anxiety, improving mood, strengthening decision-making, and increasing emotional regulation. I also incorporate CBT techniques in a culturally responsive and trauma-informed way, adapting interventions to each client’s background, values, and lived experiences. The goal is to help clients gain insight, develop practical tools, and create lasting, meaningful change outside of therapy sessions.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. This approach is especially helpful for clients working through substance use concerns, behavioral patterns, or life transitions where they may feel stuck or uncertain. In sessions, I use open-ended questions, reflective listening, and collaborative dialogue to support clients in identifying their personal reasons for change. Rather than giving advice or directing decisions, I help clients build insight and confidence in their ability to make meaningful, self-directed changes.
Strength-Based
I use a strength-based approach to help clients identify and build upon their existing resilience, skills, and internal resources. Many clients come into therapy focused on problems or deficits, and I work to balance that by also highlighting what is already working in their lives. Together, we explore past successes, coping abilities, and personal strengths that can be applied to current challenges. This approach helps clients develop confidence, improve self-efficacy, and recognize their capacity for growth and change.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I integrate culturally responsive therapy by considering each client’s cultural background, identity, family dynamics, and lived experiences as central to the therapeutic process. I understand that culture, immigration experiences, acculturation stress, and intergenerational expectations can significantly impact mental health and emotional well-being. As a bilingual therapist providing services in English and Spanish, I create space for clients to express themselves in the language they are most comfortable with. I strive to ensure that therapy is respectful, relevant, and aligned with each client’s cultural values and personal context.