Services

I specialize in supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. I draw from evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, and trauma-focused care to help clients develop practical tools for healing and growth. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and empowered to navigate challenges, build resilience, and move toward lasting change. Whether you're coping with stress, relationship difficulties, or past trauma, I’m here to walk alongside you on your journey toward greater well-being.

Types of services:

Individual therapy (children, teenagers, adults)
Couples’ therapy
Family therapy

Language skills:

I am fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English and provide therapy and counseling services in these three languages.

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma (PTSD), and Personality Disorders

Symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma (PTSD), and personality disorders can significantly impact people’s mental and physical health, relationships, academic achievement, and work performance, as well as seriously disrupt their lives. I have worked with clients suffering from these conditions for years, and the good news is that these conditions are highly treatable! 

Treatment can help people struggling with these conditions regain control over their lives, rebuild relationships, and achieve their personal and professional goals. Effective treatment can also help develop client’s social and emotional skills, and provide them the tools needed to fulfill their full potential and experience a happy and healthy life.

Relationship Issues and Couples’ Counseling

I have extensive experience working with couples and individuals experiencing relationship issues. My approach includes teaching clients to establish a safe and trusting environment where everyone feels safe to communicate their needs freely and effectively. An important component of the treatment is to promote the development of the listening and speaking skills needed for effective communication and to practice the problem solving strategies necessary to work together to find solutions for conflicts in a positive and constructive way. It is also part of the treatment plan to learn about healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics. As a result, clients start to identify unhealthy patterns and make positive changes to their mindset and behavior that can lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle. 

Children, Adolescents, and Parenting

I have worked in education for almost 20 years, serving students in elementary, middle school, and high school. I have served students of all ages and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. My experience includes working with children with learning disabilities and learning differences, autism, ADHD, anger issues, gifted and talented, ESL, and bilingual students. 

I have also worked in collaboration with parents and educators to create individualized educational plans (IEPs), as well as plans to support students who receive accommodations through section 504. I have taught parenting classes and provided teacher and school counseling training in schools and the community. I have also served as a teacher mentor and site supervisor to school counselor interns.

Expertise

Anxiety
ADHD
Autism
Borderline Personality (BPD)
Chronic Illness
Divorce
Grief
Life Transitions
Trauma and PTSD

Depression
Anger Management
Behavioral Issues
Career Counseling
Codependency
Education and Learning Disabilities
Intellectual Disability
Parenting

Treatment Modalities

Relationship Issues
Antisocial Personality
Bipolar Disorder
Child
Coping Skills
Family Conflict
Life Coaching
Stress

  • The goal of ACT is to increase your psychological flexibility and ability to adapt and be open to new experiences while respecting your own values and preserving your individuality. ACT therapy encourages you to be present in the moment, identifying what really matters to you and committing to take actions that align with your values and goals. 

  • I have had great success treating anxiety and depressive disorders using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a research based approach that treats anxiety and depression by helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their emotional distress. By understanding the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, CBT empowers people to develop more helpful coping mechanisms and reduce their anxiety and depressive symptoms. The goal of this treatment strategy is to give clients effective tools to challenge their negative thoughts and override them with more realistic and positive thought processes. The result is that clients feel empowered, self confident and more in control, which has a tremendous impact on their quality of life and general well being.

  • I use DBT strategies to work with clients with more complex diagnoses, especially if they include intense emotional dysregulation. DBT combines elements of CBT and mindfulness practices and it is very effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. It is also a very successful treatment for anger management and mood disorders. 

  • I am EMDR trained and I use this therapeutic approach to treat symptoms caused by traumatic memories. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is an effective and research based form of therapy used to treat mental health conditions that arise from trauma. EMDR involves recalling the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, like following a therapist's hand movements with your eyes. This process helps the client to process the memory and reduce its emotional charge. EMDR is very effective in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

  • I use a multicultural approach to treat all my clients. It is fundamental that the therapist can recognize and value the client’s perception in life from the unique perspective of their culture and background. 

  • I use a positive psychology approach with all my clients. Rather than just focusing on the client’s diagnosis and symptoms, I prefer to emphasize all aspects that can bring a sense of happiness and accomplishment to my client’s lives. By fostering positive relationships, building resilience and supporting a sense of purpose, clients can learn to focus on strengthening their positive traits rather than just focusing on their weaknesses or problems.

  • I use a solution focused approach for short term therapy when clients have a specific concern that they want to address. SFBT therapy is a collaborative process where client and therapist work together to identify and strengthen the resources that the client already possess to find and implement a solution for a problem.

Expertise

Anxiety
Depression
Relationship Issues
ADHD
Anger Management
Antisocial Personality
Autism
Behavioral Issues
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality (BPD)
Career Counseling
Child
Chronic Illness
Codependency
Coping Skills
Divorce
Education and Learning Disabilities
Family Conflict
Grief
Intellectual Disability
Life Coaching
Life Transitions
Parenting
Stress
Trauma and PTSD

Treatment Modalities

  • The goal of ACT is to increase your psychological flexibility and ability to adapt and be open to new experiences while respecting your own values and preserving your individuality. ACT therapy encourages you to be present in the moment, identifying what really matters to you and committing to take actions that align with your values and goals. 

  • I have had great success treating anxiety and depressive disorders using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a research based approach that treats anxiety and depression by helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their emotional distress. By understanding the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, CBT empowers people to develop more helpful coping mechanisms and reduce their anxiety and depressive symptoms. The goal of this treatment strategy is to give clients effective tools to challenge their negative thoughts and override them with more realistic and positive thought processes. The result is that clients feel empowered, self confident and more in control, which has a tremendous impact on their quality of life and general well being.

  • I use DBT strategies to work with clients with more complex diagnoses, especially if they include intense emotional dysregulation. DBT combines elements of CBT and mindfulness practices and it is very effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. It is also a very successful treatment for anger management and mood disorders. 

  • I am EMDR trained and I use this therapeutic approach to treat symptoms caused by traumatic memories. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is an effective and research based form of therapy used to treat mental health conditions that arise from trauma. EMDR involves recalling the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, like following a therapist's hand movements with your eyes. This process helps the client to process the memory and reduce its emotional charge. EMDR is very effective in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

  • I use a multicultural approach to treat all my clients. It is fundamental that the therapist can recognize and value the client’s perception in life from the unique perspective of their culture and background. 

  • I use a positive psychology approach with all my clients. Rather than just focusing on the client’s diagnosis and symptoms, I prefer to emphasize all aspects that can bring a sense of happiness and accomplishment to my client’s lives. By fostering positive relationships, building resilience and supporting a sense of purpose, clients can learn to focus on strengthening their positive traits rather than just focusing on their weaknesses or problems.

  • I use a solution focused approach for short term therapy when clients have a specific concern that they want to address. SFBT therapy is a collaborative process where client and therapist work together to identify and strengthen the resources that the client already possess to find and implement a solution for a problem.