As you embark on your journey, therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to explore, understand and challenge life experiences that shape our identities and perceptions of the world. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 6 years of experience providing therapy and other clinical services to individuals struggling with severe mental illness and addiction, I approach therapy from a holistic and multicultural perspective. As a Mexican and Filipino American woman, I draw on my personal experiences to better understand how cultural factors influence our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. My goal is to build a respectful and collaborative partnership with my clients to support them on their journey towards healing and self-discovery. I firmly believe in addressing presenting issues by understanding the whole person, rather than just focusing on the problem. Using a strengths-based approach, along with evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, mindfulness, and psychodynamic approaches, I work with my clients to identify thought patterns, regulate emotions, and build self-awareness to foster healing and self-compassion. I earned my Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Mental Health from the Jane Addams College of Social Work, and have worked in a variety of settings, including residential care for addiction, outpatient addiction treatment facilities, and community mental health care. My diverse experiences and training have enabled me to build a creative work space that centers the person as a whole, providing a healing space where individuals can feel heard, honored, and understood.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our initial session, I prioritize building a relationship with my clients to establish a deep understanding of their unique experiences and goals for therapy. Together, we will plan ongoing sessions, periodically assess progress towards their goals, and explore approaches and tools to support their journey towards healing and self-discovery. My ultimate goal is to empower individuals to be their best and most authentic selves, and to support them in living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Strengths-based approach, Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy and psychodynamic approaches
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Anxiety, Mood Disorder, Substance Use Disorder and Addiction, Psychotic Disorder, and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders.