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Getting to Know ME
About who I am
I am a first-generation Latina raised in Mexico. My mother's most significant legacy to me was to always be the best version of myself by staying in school. She supported me every step of the way, including when I came to the United States for college. I know it is a privilege to have grown up with this rich foundation from my mom, which led me to believe that I was capable of so much. This foundation was tested in such a profound way when I came to the United States for my higher education. In college, I had to go through many hurdles to reconnect with who I was and what I wanted for myself. The cultural adjustment process triggered challenging aspects of my childhood. I internalized my adjustment to the new culture as something inherently wrong with me. Needless to say, it challenged the foundation my mother had provided me with. There were times in which I felt alone, not good enough, disconnected from family, and even from myself. Over time, I was able to reconnect with the positive messages I received from my mother. I then realized that not everybody starts life with this foundation.
So many people do not have my mother in their corner to cheer them on. That can make life very difficult for you when you have not grown up in a home knowing your worth, who you are, and what you are capable of. So I decided to make it my life's mission to help people overcome that.
Regardless of where you come from, what country you are from, what language you spoke growing up, we all have the basic core need of being accepted and valued. We all are worthy of feeling good about ourselves. My mother gave that to me, and I want to give that to my clients as well.
What happens in sessions with me?
In my sessions, I use evidence-based practices. This means that they are proven by rigorous scholarly research to be effective.
One of my approaches to therapy is with the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). The reason I am doing this is because there has been more and more scientific research supporting this modality when working with very distressing emotions and memories. I want to offer you this approach which is different than my traditional talk therapy in that it yields a bigger shift in the way you experience your emotions.
In my traditional talk therapy, I often use the combination of mindfulness-based strategies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because not only is it effective, it is practical for you. You walk out of my office with a specific set of tools for you to try out on your own outside of my office, this helps you develop a sense of ownership and empowers you to be in charge of your well being. This approach will teach you to develop a healthier perspective of your problems and life and together we will adapt it to your particular needs.
Having said all this, you are one of a kind which means that what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. I develop a treatment plan that fits you and your uniqueness. This means I consider not only your symptoms, but I learn about who you are, the environment you grew up in and are in now, your gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, and values.
How long does it take?
This one will depend on several factors. One is based on the specific goals we collaboratively set out to work on. Some goals will take us 1-2 sessions after our initial assessment, while others might take longer.
Another factor to consider is your readiness for change and your determination to invest time and energy to work outside of session to get the results you desire.
We will monitor your progress and make adjustments to ensure you feel progress is being made.