New to Grow
Hi, I’m glad you’re here. ¡Bienvenidos! Starting therapy and meeting someone new can feel a little uncertain. For me, therapy starts with getting to know each other and building confianza, so you can feel comfortable being yourself and telling me what’s really going on. Sometimes we all need un ratito to slow down, breathe, and hear ourselves again. I’m a bilingual English and Spanish speaking therapist, the daughter of immigrants, and a first generation college graduate. My language, culture, family, and the way I was raised have shaped how I see the world and how I approach this work. They’ve also taught me to stay curious about the experiences, relationships, cultures, communities, and environments that have shaped you. I’m also a Certified Nature-Informed Therapist (C-NIT), and nature is an important part of how I approach our work. That doesn’t mean every session has to be about nature or that you need to be outdoors. We might use grounding, natural imagery, mindfulness, nervous system awareness, or find ways for you to connect with nature in your own surroundings between sessions. Sometimes it’s simply about slowing things down enough to notice what’s happening inside of you. You may be used to being the one who keeps going, figures things out, or takes care of everyone else. Maybe lately you don’t quite feel like yourself. Maybe you’re anxious, tired, going through a transition, questioning a relationship, or realizing there are things you’ve carried for a long time that you finally want to understand.
Our first session is really a conversation. I’ll want to know what brought you in, what life has been like lately, what feels difficult, and what you hope might be different. I’ll also ask about your relationships, upbringing, strengths, environment, culture, coping, and the experiences that have shaped you. You can expect me to listen closely and ask questions. Some will be practical. Some might make you stop and think for a minute. You don’t need to perform here or have everything figured out. For me, therapy starts with getting to know each other and building confianza, so you can feel comfortable being yourself and telling me what’s really going on.
Therapy with me is pretty conversational. I’ll probably ask you a lot of questions. I’m curious about what’s happening now, but I’m also curious about why. Where did that come from? When did you start feeling this way? What did you learn growing up? What happens in your body when this comes up? What are you telling yourself? How might your relationships, culture, environment, or past experiences be connected? Sometimes we’ll find a connection neither of us expected. Nature is also part of our work. It can offer a way to pause, notice what we’re feeling, and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. We might use natural imagery, grounding, or explore places and experiences in nature that help you feel connected. You don’t need to be outdoors. Sometimes we begin by remembering a place where you felt at ease or noticing something in your surroundings. I also try to understand you within the context of your relationships, family, culture, and environment. I don’t assume that one way of thinking about mental health, relationships, boundaries, or healing fits everyone. Your experiences and what matters to you are part of how we make sense of what you’re going through. I use cognitive behavioral strategies too, but I don’t believe every problem needs to become a worksheet or technique. Sometimes we need practical tools. Sometimes we need to understand the pattern. And sometimes we need a place to finally say the thing we’ve been carrying.
You may be used to being the one who keeps going, figures things out, or takes care of everyone else. Maybe lately you don’t quite feel like yourself. Maybe you’re anxious, tired, going through a transition, questioning a relationship, or realizing there are things you’ve carried for a long time that you finally want to understand. I work with adults navigating anxiety, stress, relationships, life transitions, difficult boundaries, and the pressure that can come with caring for or being responsible for others. You don’t have to fit neatly into one category or come to therapy knowing exactly what you want to work on. We can figure that out together.
I use cognitive behavioral strategies to help us notice how your thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. We might explore what you’re telling yourself, question patterns that leave you feeling stuck, and try practical ways to respond differently. We’ll consider those patterns within the context of your experiences, relationships, and culture. Sometimes we need practical tools. Sometimes we need to understand the pattern. We’ll work together to find what’s useful for you.
I use mindfulness to help you slow down and notice your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and surroundings with curiosity rather than judgment. As a Certified Nature-Informed Therapist (C-NIT), I also bring nature into these practices. We might use natural imagery, grounding through your senses, or explore places and experiences in nature that help you feel at ease. Together, we can find small ways to connect with nature in your daily life and reconnect with yourself and the world around you. You don’t need to be outdoors or have experience with meditation. We’ll adapt these practices to your comfort, interests, and what feels meaningful to you.