Personally, I am a mom of 3 small children who is married to a firefighter and trying to balance work, family, and personal life. I understand that life can feel like a lot at times and relate to other people who are doing the best they can! Professionally, I have always worked in education and mental health. I have taught kindergarten, junior high, intermediate grades, and focused on special education. I have also worked as a school counselor and maintain my school counselor license.
In my time as a mental health therapist, I have really enjoyed working with a diverse population. I have experience working with all ages from young children to older adults, focusing on meeting each person where they are. I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and other life circumstances that people are dealing with. My main focus in sessions is to help clients feel heard and seen, creating a safe environment along the way.
I am very person-centered in my approach to therapy. I believe that the client is the expert in his or her life, and I am lucky enough to get to join in on their journey for a while. I also utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies, and other interventions to help clients achieve their goals. In addition, I am also trained in EMDR therapy and really enjoy incorporating that into sessions when appropriate.
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Hello and welcome! Starting therapy can be scary and intimidating and so I'd like share a little bit about myself that way you have a chance to know more about me before your first session! I completed my Bachelor of Science degree from Monmouth College and my Master of Science degree in counseling from Western Illinois University. I'm a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois and Texas.
I have worked in the mental health field as a counselor since 2010. I was a therapist and crisis counselor for Bridgeway Community Mental Health starting in 2010 and then went on to become the Director of Crisis/Mental Health Juvenile Justice/and First Episode Psychosis Program. I then went on to work in private practice at Crossroads Counseling in Galesburg, IL. I have significant experience working with children and adolescents in the private sector as well as young adults. I enjoy working with clients who are healing from traumatic experiences. I have worked with survivors of trauma and abuse throughout my entire counseling career. I am EMDR trained and have a deep compassion for those dealing with the results of trauma and abuse. Additionally, I have worked with children and adults experiencing depression, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD and trauma using DBT and cognitive-behavioral therapy as treatment modalities.
I live with my husband, Dustin, in Galesburg ,IL and have three active boys ages 17, 13, and 10. I enjoy reading, fishing, camping, being outdoors, and watching my children in various activities.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for serving diverse communities. Hailing from the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico and rooted in the bustling landscape of NY/NJ, I proudly offer bilingual services, fluent in both English and Spanish, catering to the needs of the Spanish-speaking community. Beyond my professional role, I identify as a mother, Christian, woman of color, avid gardener, makeup enthusiast, and devoted animal lover.
With extensive training in modalities such as EMDR, CBT, TF-CBT, Imago, Psychodynamic Theory, and Attachment Theory, I bring a comprehensive toolkit to my practice, ensuring tailored therapeutic options for each individual I work with. From trauma recovery to relationship dynamics, I am dedicated to empowering my clients on their journey towards healing and personal growth.