Hi, I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Florida. I received my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University, San Juan Campus. I later completed a postdoctoral degree at the Falls Church /Fairfax Community Services Board (CSB) working with Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) patients. I have been practicing as a Licensed Psychologist for the past 20 years in Puerto Rico, Virginia, and currently in Florida. Throughout these years, I have worked in different settings such as universities, community mental health clinics, inpatient settings, and private practice. In these different settings, I have been able to work with different age group clients, treating a vast variety of diagnoses, while utilizing many therapeutic evidenced-based treatment modalities.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
One of the most important aspects of therapy is to build a strong therapeutic alliance in which you can feel safe, and really trust the therapeutic process. In our first session, we will start with introductions, orientation of services, and learn more about the specific challenges you might be facing. Once we both have a good understanding of these challenges, we will tailor a specific plan to address your concerns.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Through my years of experience as a Clinical Psychologist in different settings, I have learned the importance of offering an atmosphere of support, empathy, and trust in which you can share your feelings without judgment. After discussing your challenges, and/or any other concerns, I will assist you in developing an evidenced-based therapy plan that best meets your needs and suits your personal goals in different areas of your life.
About Maribelle De La Torre, Ph.D.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Humanistic
As a Psychologist, I utilize a humanistic therapy model which focuses in respecting human dignity, personal choice, and growth. My main objective a therapist is to provide atmosphere of support, empathy, and trust in which my clients can share their feelings without fear of judgment. I work together with my clients so that they can understand the sources of their anxiety, unhappiness, physical discomfort, and/or unhealthy behavior patterns, always taking into account they are the experts on their own life and challenges. My role is to facilitate a process in which clients can develop a plan to make behavior changes to live healthier lives and heal from their past.
Integrative
Once a strong therapeutic alliance is built through a humanistic therapy model, and clients feel safe and optimistic about therapy, I utilize a integrative approach which aims to match evidence-based treatments with each client's particular concern.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Through cognitive behavioral therapy CBT we are able to challenge and change cognitive distortions such as thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes and their associated behaviors to improve emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies to target current problems.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
In my opinion, DBT is a very effective treatment model. It is a comprehensive and multifaceted therapy designed to help patients cope with extreme emotional suffering. DBT is present-oriented and skills-based, and patients are asked to practice their skills between sessions. DBT specifically focuses on providing therapeutic skills in four key areas such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, Emotion regulation strategies and interpersonal effectiveness. In individual sessions, patients review difficult situations and feelings they faced the prior week and engage in problem-solving by actively discussing ways of behaving that might have delivered better outcomes.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
It is rapidly growing treatment method. It has been found that it is as least as effective as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ACT is a therapeutic approach that uses mindfulness and acceptance, and a focus on committed, values-based action. The six pillars of ACT are cognitive diffusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, self-as-context, values and committed action. This modality focuses on psychological flexibility.