Zayda Gonzalez
With 15 years of experience providing bilingual therapy in both English and Spanish, I am dedicated to creating a warm, supportive, and culturally responsive space where you feel genuinely heard and empowered. Over the past nine years, I have specialized in working with children and teens navigating autism and intellectual impairments, helping them and their families build confidence and thrive. I also bring deep experience supporting LGBTQ+ youth and individuals who are currently experiencing or healing from trauma and domestic violence. My approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique needs, blending practical tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with the healing power of Narrative Therapy. I am also happy to incorporate spirituality into our work if that is an important part of your life, and I bring strong case management skills to help connect you with the broader resources you need. Whether you are seeking clarity, coping strategies, or a safe space to process your story, I am here to support you every step of the way.
Above all, I believe therapy works best as a true partnership; I will never push a direction without your full consent and active participation, ensuring every decision we make together aligns with your voice and goals.
First session
In our first session, you can expect a welcoming, low-pressure space where we can get to know each other and talk about what brought you to therapy. We will explore your hopes and goals, discuss what approaches have or haven't worked for you in the past, and begin creating a personalized treatment plan that feels right for you and helps get you to where you want to be.
Strengths
In our sessions, I bring a strengths-based, solution-focused approach grounded in evidence-based clinical practice. I pride myself on offering an open-minded, safe space where I truly listen, allowing you to share what you need without judgment. My style balances warmth with candor—I am honest and direct, while always remaining firmly in your corner to support and cheer you on. Above all, I believe therapy works best as a true partnership; I will never push a direction without your full consent and active participation, ensuring every decision we make together aligns with your voice and goals.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is genuinely motivated to engage and brings an open mind to our sessions. They are willing to communicate openly, reflect deeply on their experiences, and actively work toward their personal goals. Above all, they view therapy as a collaborative journey of growth, value honest self-exploration, and are ready to take meaningful steps toward positive, lasting change in their lives.
Origin story
Growing up in a traditional Latino home, I observed gender roles firsthand, which ignited a lifelong passion to advocate for gender equality and empower women and girls. My decision to pursue social work was cemented by my own experience with a compassionate school social worker who guided me through difficult times. That support showed me the transformative power of having someone in your corner. Today, I am driven to fight for the rights of marginalized individuals and provide a supportive space where clients feel empowered to overcome oppression, reach their goals, and become their authentic selves.
Ongoing work together
In future sessions, I bring fun, customized activities and learning experiences aligned with your goals. However, your priorities always take precedence. If something else comes up or you just need to vent, we can scrap the plan and focus entirely on what you want to talk about. My primary goal is to build a lighthearted, supportive space where each week takes us one step closer to your aspirations.
Treatment methods
Narrative
I utilize a narrative therapy approach that helps clients rewrite their personal stories, shifting their perspective so they see their struggles as separate from who they are as a person. By externalizing the problem as a manageable entity rather than an inherent flaw, clients are empowered to recognize that they are not inherently problematic, fostering self-compassion and sustainable growth.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- MassachusettsLicense LICSW127918