New to Grow
Welcome—I'm glad you're here. Taking the first step toward healing takes courage, and I honor that. Whether you're navigating trauma, life transitions, or simply seeking a space to feel heard, I believe you already carry the strength and resilience needed to move forward. My role is to walk alongside you, offering support, tools, and a safe space to grow. I’m a bilingual therapist (English/Spanish) with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through trauma, grief, and life’s challenges. I’ve worked with diverse populations from young migrant children to survivors of community, domestic, and sexual violence—and I’ve witnessed the incredible capacity humans have to heal and thrive. I hold a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and I’m certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR-trained, and a Registered Play Therapist. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and tailored to each client’s unique needs. I integrate evidence-based modalities to foster resilience, emotional regulation, and meaningful change. Whether you're seeking clarity, coping strategies, or deeper healing, I’ll meet you where you are—with compassion, transparency, and respect. When I’m not in session, you’ll find me curled up with a book, volunteering at my church, or spending time with my two cats and three dogs. I also enjoy the occasional Netflix binge—because balance matters. If you're ready to explore whether we're a good fit, I’d love to hear from you. Therapy is a collaborative journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a space where you feel safe, supported, and understood. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to work on. You don’t need to prepare anything or know exactly what to say, your story can unfold at your pace. I’ll ask some gentle questions to learn more about your background, strengths, and goals. We’ll also review things like confidentiality, how sessions work, and what you can expect from me as your therapist. My role is to listen, help you feel grounded, and begin shaping a plan that fits your needs.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths lie in my ability to support individuals and families through trauma, grief, and major life transitions with compassion and clarity. I’ve worked with diverse communities from young migrant children to survivors of community, domestic, and sexual violence which has strengthened my capacity to hold space for complex stories while honoring each person’s resilience and cultural identity.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My approach is especially supportive for clients who are navigating trauma, grief, major life transitions, or the emotional impact of difficult life experiences. I work well with individuals, couples and families who value a warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive space where their identities, histories, and strengths are honored. Overall, clients who are ready for a blend of emotional processing, practical coping strategies, and culturally grounded support tend to thrive in this therapeutic relationship.
EMDR
In my work, I use EMDR to help clients process distressing or traumatic experiences that feel “stuck” or continue to trigger emotional or physical reactions. I guide clients through a structured process that includes preparation, identifying target memories, and using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to support the brain’s natural ability to reprocess difficult material. During sessions, I help clients notice thoughts, emotions, and body sensations that arise, while maintaining a sense of safety and grounding. The goal is for the memory to lose its intensity and for clients to develop more adaptive beliefs about themselves. I integrate EMDR with other trauma‑informed approaches, ensuring clients remain in control and can pause or slow down whenever needed. Over time, clients often experience reduced distress, improved emotional regulation, and a greater sense of empowerment as the memory becomes less activating and more integrated into their broader life story.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In sessions, I guide clients in identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, exploring how these thoughts influence their feelings and actions, and practicing more balanced, realistic ways of thinking. I pair this with behavioral strategies—such as coping‑skills training, problem‑solving, and activity planning—to support meaningful change in daily life. My approach is collaborative and structured: we set clear goals, use practical tools like thought records or cognitive reframing, and build skills clients can apply outside of session. Over time, clients gain insight into their patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and feel more empowered to manage challenges.
Couples Counseling
I support couples by helping them strengthen communication, rebuild emotional safety, and understand the patterns that keep them feeling disconnected. In sessions, I guide partners in slowing down reactive cycles, expressing needs with clarity and compassion, and listening to each other with curiosity rather than defensiveness. I use structured, trauma‑informed interventions to help each partner feel seen, validated, and understood. My approach focuses on creating small, meaningful moments of connection, repairing ruptures, and building skills that couples can use outside of therapy. Over time, partners develop healthier interaction patterns, deepen trust, and reconnect with the sense of teamwork and intimacy that brought them together.
Multicultural
I use a multicultural, culturally responsive approach that honors each client’s identities, lived experiences, and cultural values. I explore how culture, family systems, language, and social context shape a client’s worldview, coping patterns, and strengths. In sessions, I adapt interventions to be culturally attuned, trauma‑informed, and respectful of each client’s background. As a bilingual therapist who also speaks Spanish, I provide services in the client’s preferred language and ensure that communication, examples, and resources are accessible and culturally meaningful. My goal is to create a therapeutic space where clients feel understood, empowered, and supported in ways that align with their cultural identity.
Play Therapy
I use play therapy as a developmentally attuned approach that supports clients of all ages in expressing emotions, processing experiences, and building coping skills through creative, experiential methods. With children, I use play to help them communicate in the language that feels most natural—through toys, art, movement, and imagination. With teens and adults, I adapt play‑based techniques such as expressive arts, sandtray, storytelling, role‑play, and metaphor to help them explore emotions, increase insight, and access parts of their experience that may be difficult to express verbally. Across the lifespan, I use play to foster safety, curiosity, and emotional regulation, tailoring activities to each client’s developmental stage, cultural background, and therapeutic goals.