(she/her)
Hello, I'm Cristina. I help people who struggle with high functioning anxiety, people-pleasing, and constant overthinking, even when they appear to have things together on the outside. I also work with those who find themselves questioning their relationships, struggling to set boundaries, or navigating major life transitions such as new relationships, marriage, or becoming a parent. As a bilingual therapist, I work with teens, young adults, and adults who want to better understand the patterns shaping their anxiety, relationships, and sense of self. Together, we focus on building stronger self-awareness, clearer boundaries, and greater confidence in your decisions so you can move forward with more clarity and self-trust.
In our first session, we will explore what has brought you to therapy and what feels most pressing in your life right now. You will have space to share your story at a pace that feels manageable, and I will ask intentional questions to understand your history, relationships, and recurring patterns. You will get a sense of my style and approach, and together we will determine whether the fit feels right and what direction feels most aligned for your growth.
I understand growth both professionally and personally. Real change is not quick or easy. It requires honesty, consistency, and the courage to face long standing patterns. I provide both support and accountability throughout that process. I also bring cultural awareness and an understanding of family expectations, achievement pressures, loyalty, and boundaries. My work blends deep insight with intentional action so the change you make is not temporary, but lasting.
My ideal clients are thoughtful individuals who know they want change but do not yet have clarity on where to start. They may notice unhealthy relationship patterns, difficulty asserting themselves, or a tendency to prioritize others at their own expense. They are open to insight, willing to be challenged, and motivated to build healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
Psychodynamic
While I draw from several evidence-based practices, my foundation is psychodynamic therapy. This approach helps uncover the deeper roots of anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and self-doubt by exploring early experiences and longstanding emotional patterns. As insight develops, we work toward building healthier coping strategies and more fulfilling relationships.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Alongside my psychodynamic foundation, I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help translate insight into action. While we explore deeper emotional patterns, ACT provides concrete tools to help you respond differently in the present — building awareness, emotional flexibility, and movement toward the life you want to create.