(She/her)
Dr. La’Shondra da Cruz, LPC, Psy.D specializes in Mental Health and Wellness and has provided compassionate clinical services to individuals and families for over 15 years. With a strong commitment to holistic and integrative care, Dr. da Cruz supports clients in nurturing emotional well-being, strengthening relationships, and achieving long-term mental health wellness. Dr. da Cruz’s expertise includes trauma-informed care, anxiety and depression treatment, play and art therapy, family and relationship healing, burnout and stress recovery, and mindfulness-based practices. She also specializes in mental health, psychology research and whole-health integrative wellness, aligning mind, body, and emotional well-being to promote long-term healing and life satisfaction. Her approach combines evidence-based interventions with holistic wellness practices to support the whole person.
In your first session, you can expect a welcoming and supportive environment where we begin getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions to understand better what brought you to therapy, your current concerns, and your goals. We may also review some background information, including your emotional, mental, and overall well-being. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, share what you’re comfortable with, and get a sense of my approach. There’s no pressure to share everything at once—we move at your pace. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported. By the end of the session, we’ll begin identifying initial goals and discuss next steps for working together in a way that feels right for you.
1. Professional & Balanced “My greatest strength is my ability to create a safe, supportive space while also helping you move forward with clarity and purpose.” 2. Compassion + Clinical Skill “My greatest strength is combining genuine compassion with clinical expertise to help you feel understood while also guiding meaningful change.” 3. Direct & Empowering “My greatest strength is being both supportive and honest—I will meet you where you are, while also helping you grow.” 4. Holistic Approach “My greatest strength is my ability to see the whole person, not just the problem, and support healing on multiple levels.” 5. Concise Version “My greatest strength is helping clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to create lasting change.”
My ideal client is someone who is ready to explore their experiences, gain insight, and work toward meaningful change. They may be navigating stress, trauma, life transitions, or emotional challenges and are open to both support and growth.” I also enjoy working with someone who may not have all the answers but is willing to show up, be open, and engage in the process of healing. They are motivated to better understand themselves and build healthier ways of coping and living.” My ideal client is also someone seeking a deeper level of healing—someone open to exploring the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being. They value a space that is both supportive and transformative.
Attachment-based
Assess the client's attachment style and history. Encourage the client to express their feelings and experiences related to attachment. Help the client identify patterns in their relationships and emotional responses. Facilitate the development of healthier attachment behaviors and coping strategies. Use role-playing or guided imagery to practice new relational skills. Monitor progress and adjust therapeutic approaches as needed.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Help clients identify their core values to guide their actions. Encourage mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness. Teach clients to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Use metaphors and experiential exercises to illustrate key concepts. Assist clients in setting specific, value-driven goals for change. Foster psychological flexibility by promoting adaptive responses to challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Identify negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress. Challenge and reframe these thoughts with evidence-based reasoning. Teach clients relaxation techniques to manage anxiety and stress. Set specific, achievable goals to encourage positive behavior changes. Use behavioral experiments to test the validity of negative beliefs. Encourage journaling to track thoughts, feelings, and progress over time.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Introduce Mindfulness: Teach clients to focus on the present moment to enhance awareness and reduce anxiety. Practice Distress Tolerance: Equip clients with skills to manage crises without resorting to harmful behaviors. Enhance Emotional Regulation: Help clients identify and label their emotions to better manage emotional responses. Develop Interpersonal Effectiveness: Train clients in assertiveness and communication skills to improve relationships. Utilize Validation Techniques: Acknowledge clients' feelings and experiences to foster acceptance and understanding. Encourage Behavioral Chain Analysis: Guide clients in examining the sequence of events leading to problematic behaviors for insight and change.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Identify and acknowledge your different internal parts or voices. Create a safe space for dialogue between your parts. Listen to the concerns and needs of each part without judgment. Validate the feelings of your parts to foster understanding. Facilitate communication between conflicting parties to promote harmony. Work towards unburdening parts from past traumas or negative beliefs. Integrate insights gained from your parts into your daily life. Practice self-compassion and patience throughout the process.