Presenting Concerns – Children: ADHD, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Culturally Sensitive Work, Emotional Regulation, Family Conflict, OCD, PTSD/Trauma, Self Esteem
Presenting Concerns – Adults: ADHD, Anxiety, Culturally Sensitive Work, Depression, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, OCD, PTSD/Trauma, Trauma, Trichotillomania
I apply a strength-based approach in therapy and am a firm believer that everyone has a valuable skill set unique to them. It’s just a matter of identifying what those strengths are and figuring out how to apply those in everyday life.
Growing up with learning disabilities myself, I spent years thinking that I wasn’t smart. It wasn’t until I worked as a teaching assistant at a primary school in Madrid, Spain where I learned from my students that there are many different forms of intelligence that can help open doors for people in multiple facets. This experience led me to pursue a career in social work and I’ve been practicing therapeutic methods to empower individuals ever since.
I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. My first job out of grad school was at a community hospital as a medical social worker. There I worked with English and Spanish-speaking adult patients and their families on discharge needs, providing resources and acting as an approachable ally in a fast-paced (and often intimidating) hospital setting. I loved working with patients directly and realized that working with adults was just as rewarding as with children.
I have experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Art Therapy and am certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) which focuses on how trauma impacts the brain in children and teaches clinicians how to apply therapeutic methods specific to an individual’s neurological needs.
When I am not working, I love finding new creative hobbies to master (my latest is basket weaving.) I also enjoy painting, traveling, swimming, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.