My Approach to Helping
The decision to attend counseling can be a significant moment in one\'s life. The choice to seek this kind of support can come about for many reasons. People seek therapy to deal with issues, conflicts, and problems associated with a range of topics: interpersonal relationships, professional/career issues, family struggles, unwanted symptoms/behaviors/feelings, a desire to make change, a need to process/grieve painful events from the past or present, self-exploration and many other purposes. Given the importance of such issues, it is critical to find a therapist with whom one feels comfortable. In order to help you with this vital process, I would like to share a bit about my philosophy about therapy, my style, and my specialties.
My primary therapeutic approach is utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness techniques. I believe that if you change your thinking, you change your emotions and thus you change your life. Although my main therapeutic approach is to rely on CBT, I will also use an eclectic therapeutic approach to tailor the treatment to your unique needs. I am goal oriented with my clients and believe it is important for each client to feel knowledgeable, strengthened, and encouraged during the counseling process. I will work with you develop a personal plan to not just identify treatment goals but to more importantly to identify life goals. I am hear to listen to you and I am here to provide guidance through concrete tools that will remain with you for a life time.
I have been practicing in the mental health field for over 19 years and I have been in private practice for the past seven years. My position at Yale University allowed me to develop valuable skills working with families and children. The Yale psychiatric program, where I had the privilege of serving, won the American Psychiatric Association\'s Most Innovative Treatment Model for 2007. My most recent experience before private practice had been working for a federally qualified health clinic that provides integrated behavioral health services in a primary health care setting. I was an integral member of the health care team providing psychiatric consultation to doctors.I am bilingual and have extensive experience working with the Spanish-speaking population. I look forward to meeting and working with you.