About
What’s it like to be in therapy with me?
It’s all about YOU.
You are in charge. After all, you are the expert on yourself. You decide how your journey will look.
I’m here to help you understand yourself better and walk with you through the tough stuff that’s getting in your way.
What It’s Not
If you’re looking for someone who asks you how you feel about things all the time without any sense of direction, then we are not the right fit.
But, if you like someone who uses humor, curses a little (well, sometimes more than a little if the situation calls for it), is genuine, pushes you to talk about the hard stuff, tells it to you straight, but with kindness and empathy –
Then you’ve come to the right place.
What I’ll Commit to You
I promise you will always know what I’m thinking (no poker face here), and I’ll always go out of my way to help you by providing resources and referrals when necessary.
You’ll have my couch and my total focus for a full 60 minutes, rather than the typical 50 that most therapists offer.
I’ll treat you with respect and understanding. I won’t sugarcoat, but I will force you to take a look at the good, bad, and ugly parts of yourself and your relationships. But with compassion and respect.
I’ve been where you are, and I know the importance of talking to someone who won’t judge me and who understands my struggles.
What We’ll Do Together
You’ll have space to share what’s troubling you – and to feel heard and seen.
You’ll learn the root causes of behaviors that no longer serve you, and together, we’ll develop strategies to help you respond more effectively, more confidently.
I will help you understand the importance of boundaries as you learn to cultivate healthy relationships with your loved ones. The way you “people” will start to change for the better as you understand more about yourself and others.
Open and free communication is key when working with me. I expect honesty, and you can expect the same from me. There is NO judgment in my therapy room.
If you think something you tell me is going to shock me, you are wrong. I have seen and heard it all.
And I mean ALL.
But I will call out bad behavior.
And you’ll learn to face your past and make sense of it – without shame.
What Will Happen
You’ll emerge with an understanding that the decisions and behaviors of your past happened for a reason.
And you’ll realize that genuine, lasting change is possible – once you reach an understanding.
Put in the work, and you will see that change.
About Me
I Have Been Where You Are
I didn’t go into this career lightly. In fact, I have personally dealt with a lot of trauma and spent years going to therapy.
I kissed many “frogs” (aka Therapists) until I found the one that helped me change everything. I know how hard it is to find a therapist that is a good fit, but when you do…
Things begin to get better.
Though I was educated in the United States from eight, I’m a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, and Spanish is my first language. I speak it as easily as I do English and, sometimes, when I have a couple of cocktails, I can speak French. At least that’s what I tell myself…
Solidifying and Specializing My Training
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate with a master’s in Counseling from Northwestern University. I am also a Certified Trauma Specialist through the Arizona Trauma Institute and a certified Life Coach, which fits my tendency to be more “directive” in therapy.
To ensure you get the best from your therapy, I view things through a “system” lens and believe that we are the sum of our surroundings. None of us are immune from the impact of our parents, caregivers, families, friends, coworkers, and society at large. Our gender, country of origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and ethnicity also impact our lives and need to be addressed.
Balancing Work and Home
I hesitate even to say what hobbies I have because, the truth is, I need to get some.
These days, my hobbies consist of reading when I get a chance, hanging out with my family, streaming shallow television, enjoying a nice single-malt scotch on the rocks, finding excuses for not working out, and sleeping. I told you I would be honest.
Making Time for Family
I am married to the most tolerant man, and together we have four adult-ish children whom I am crazy about.
They will all tell you that they have a strong suspicion that I love my dog just a little bit more than them. But can you blame me? I mean, look at that face.
Meet Beans, the (alleged) love of my life.
You’re not alone.
If you’re still reading this, we may be a match made in therapy heaven.
I’ll walk with you through any pain and sadness, and I’ll do it with humor, understanding, and kindness – three highly beneficial qualities – essential in counseling.
Reach out to me to set up your complimentary 20-minute consultation, and let’s get started on your journey today.