What was your path to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor?

Growing up in a Hispanic household, mental health was not something we acknowledged or discussed. I was unaware of my own trauma and suffered in silence for many years until an unfortunate event forced me to speak to someone, and it changed my life forever. My exposure to therapy sparked my interest in human behavior and emotions, which led me to study psychology and sociology. I grew a better understanding of my own life experiences and learned so much about my responses to them. I used this knowledge to create healthy patterns and apply new coping skills. I wanted to share all that I have learned by helping those in need of psychological healing and personal growth. My years of experience have involved working with incarcerated US veterans, adolescents, and individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Being a trauma specialist, I obtained extensive knowledge to better work with those who have experienced an event(s) that caused a negative response.

What should someone know about working with you?

I aim to provide a supportive and safe environment where a person can freely express themselves. In the initial session, I will gather information to learn more about you and discuss my therapeutic approach. This allows us to begin building a therapeutic alliance, which is crucial in therapy as it can foster a healthy place that will permit personal growth. Therapy sessions are a collaborative experience; I will listen without judgment and provide feedback. Together, we can explore patterns of behavior and learn new coping skills. Therapy and interventions are tailored to the individual as we continue to meet.