“I believe that truly good therapy can be described with a few adjectives: Safe, honest, respectful, open, evidence-based, challenging, and genuine.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida (go Knights!) in Orlando and my master’s and doctoral degrees at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Following that, I completed an internship in Portland, Oregon and a postdoctoral fellowship at Florida International University’s College Counseling Center in Miami. I have worked in the field of psychology since 2010, honing specialties in disordered eating and weight management, mood disorders, and stress management in relationships while helping people live lives worth living. I have worked in a variety of settings, including a residential eating disorder treatment center, hospitals, outpatient community clinics, schools, and college counseling centers with individuals across the lifespan. My experience working with children and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings helps me meet each client where they are, understanding the unique needs of each individual.
What should someone know about working with you?
I believe that truly good therapy can be described with a few adjectives: Safe, honest, respectful, open, evidence-based, challenging, and genuine. I take these adjectives seriously with the hope of creating an open and safe space for each client to be as honest as possible and receptive to change in hopes of a better tomorrow. I start each therapeutic relationship by getting to know you and using a collaborative approach, creating some goals so we always have a sense of direction and way to assess progress. Whether you’re seeking therapy to process a stressful event, a major life change, mood swings, low self-esteem, or relationship/family stress or seeking a professional to work through some helpful changes, I like to use our time together not just to vent but to really work through the concern at hand and empower you with each step forward. Let's get started! :)
How do your core values shape your approach to therapy?
I am a first-generation Cuban American and the first on my father's side to graduate from college. My heritage plus my curiosity about human behavior and drive for learning about different cultures helped steer me into the field of psychology. Throughout my time in both personal and professional avenues, I have done a lot of learning, unlearning, and relearning. My values of authenticity and acceptance have helped guide me as a psychologist and also as a world citizen, encouraging me to be open to understanding how each client's experiences and perceptions of the environment around them impact how they think, feel, and interact with the world.
“I take these adjectives seriously with the hope of creating an open and safe space for each client to be as honest as possible and receptive to change in hopes of a better tomorrow.”