In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, my main intention is for you to feel welcomed, safe, and comfortable. We’ll start by talking about what’s bringing you in and what you’re hoping to get from therapy—no pressure, just space to show up honestly. I’ll also explain what it’s like to work with me, answer any questions you have, and review the basics (like confidentiality and how sessions are structured) so everything feels clear and predictable. We’ll then do a brief grounding exercise to help you settle in and reconnect with your body and breath. From there, we’ll gently clarify your goals and choose one small, realistic step you can take right away. My hope is that you’ll leave the session knowing what to expect moving forward—and with something supportive and meaningful to carry with you between sessions.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring a warm, steady presence so you can feel genuinely safe, seen, and supported. My approach is trauma-informed and looks at the whole you—your body, mind, and heart—within the context of your life (family, culture, work, and community). If it feels meaningful to you, we can also gently integrate spirituality. We begin with your nervous system—learning to notice your body’s cues, building simple grounding and breath practices, and taking small, realistic steps between sessions. I’ll offer guidance that is both gentle and clear, so change feels possible without feeling overwhelming. Clients often share that they experience less anxiety, stronger boundaries, and a deeper sense of self-trust over time.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

If your story includes childhood trauma, adult trauma, or attachment wounds—and you’re living with the ripple effects (anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or repeating relationship patterns)—you’re exactly who I work best with. Many of my clients have spent years in survival mode and have heard things like “you’re too sensitive” or “you feel too much,” when what’s really happening is that your system learned to adapt. When trauma and attachment wounds are part of the picture, it makes sense that patterns like overthinking, perfectionism, fawning/people-pleasing, freezing/shutting down, hypervigilance, over-responsibility, and cycles of guilt and shame can show up—both internally and in relationships. I also speak from lived understanding of trauma healing, and I bring that compassion and clarity into the work. You might be navigating: - Anxiety, burnout, shame, or constant “never enough” pressure - People-pleasing, guilt when you say no, fear of conflict, codependency - High functioning on the outside, overwhelmed or exhausted on the inside - Repeating relationship patterns, insecure attachment, or difficulty trusting yourself - Identity shifts (parenthood, career changes, major life transitions) - Stress-related mind–body symptoms (tension, sleep issues, gut reactivity, feeling shut down) How we’ll work together: We’ll move at your pace with consent-based, trauma-informed care. We start by creating stability—building practical tools that help you feel safer and more grounded day-to-day. From there, we gently deepen the work: attachment-focused healing, inner-child support, parts-informed exploration, narrative reframing, boundary practice, and self-compassion skills—so the changes aren’t just insight, but felt and lived. If it resonates for you, we can also weave in spirituality in a way that feels supportive and aligned. My style is warm, steady, and direct in a caring way—never pushy. I’m not here to “fix” you. I’m here to walk alongside you with honesty and compassion as you reconnect with your voice, your worth, and your ability to choose yourself. Bilingual sessions available (English/Spanish). You’re allowed to be messy. You’re allowed to take up space. And you’re absolutely allowed to heal.