LMFT, 25 years of experience
New to Grow
I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for over 25 years. I also hold a Doctorate in Education, with a focus on change and leadership. In my work experience, I have seen a wide range of clients, but my specialties lie in substance abuse/addictions, and working with the Latino and LGBTQ communities. Currently working with only adults. No couples or families.
Clients will find a place to be heard, no matter their level of readiness to address addiction.
My biggest strengths are my ease in connecting with others and ability to quickly assess a problem. This is saves valuable time in the therapy process, allowing clients the time and space to explore what is needed.
LGBTQ, gender expansive, and Latino clients. Substance abuse and addiction.
ACT is my primary theoretical intervention when addressing substance abuse. Though other interventions can and will be used depending on the client, ACT provides Six Core Processes: 1. Cognitive Defusion – Viewing thoughts like “I can't survive without alcohol” as just words, not facts. 2. Acceptance – Allowing urges to come and go without acting on them. 3. Contact with the Present Moment – Staying grounded rather than reacting automatically. 4. Self-as-Context – Recognizing that you are not your addiction or your past. 5. Values Clarification – Identifying what truly matters beyond drug use. 6. Committed Action – Taking steps toward recovery, even in the face of discomfort.
Along with stated theoretical approaches, providing culturally sensitive interventions is a must. In an effort to create a better connection, meeting clients where they are culturally cannot be undervalued. Clients deserve therapists that understand them and how culture and systemic oppression has impacted them. Concordance is everything.
Having extensive experience working in the substance abuse field, understanding a clients motivation for recovery is key. There are no wrongs answers. Readiness is individual and clients will approach readiness on their own.