Discovering Joy Through Deep Understanding

I believe that existence is deeply meaningful, and I find immense joy in helping people rediscover happiness in their lives and relationships. Psychological tools can be incredibly helpful, but they often fall short unless we delve into the past.

It's remarkable (and a little scary) to think about how much we're shaped by people and events we don't even remember. As a parent raising young children in Austin, I see firsthand how my actions shape their sense of self, their understanding of the world, and their place within it. The way I help them mark important events, understand their feelings, and set relationship expectations is crucial.

I've also experienced how empowering it is to view oneself in the context of a lifetime, not just isolated moments. This broader perspective allows us to develop skills that address the root of our most challenging experiences, leading to true and lasting healing.

My Background:

For over 14 years, being a therapist has been a journey filled with excitement and awe, just as it was on my very first day.

From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about understanding well-being and finding meaning in life. My curiosity led me to study health and well-being across various cultures, including Peru, Spain, and Mexico, during my undergraduate and graduate years. I even pursued this passion in my second language—Spanish.

After earning my Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), I dedicated much of my life to serving underserved populations. My work took me to maternity clinics, schools, and non-profits like Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Con Mi Madre, Seton Shoal Creek Hospital, Vela, KIPP, AISD, and Any Baby Can.

Now, in my private practice, I stay actively engaged in my personal therapy and consultation groups, believing they are crucial to being a quality therapist. I’m also a proud member of professional groups like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Austin Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPS), and Austin Psychoanalytic (AP). Prioritizing my own well-being allows me to be fully present for you in our sessions and ensures I practice what I preach.

Let's embark on this journey together.

your weekly retreat…

How I Care for You (Therapeutic Approach):

I've always been captivated by the intricate nature of human beings, and I'm known for asking questions that go straight to the heart of the matter. My approach with clients is warm, genuine, and deeply curious, helping to create a safe space even when we touch on more challenging topics in therapy.

The clinical aspects that inform my work include a range of methods such as Relational, Psychodynamic, Attachment-oriented, EMDR, Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience (DARE), Mindfulness, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), modern analytic, and Emotionally Focused approaches. I'm always expanding this list, with current interests in Internal Family Systems and Somatic Approaches to therapy. I’m also wrapping up my Perinatal Health Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C) and my Certified Group Practitioner (CGP) specialties through trainings I complete with local clinicians such as Katherine Barnhill, LCSW and Patricia Florence, LCSW along with the Center for Group Studies in New York and trainings through Austin Group Psychotherapy Society and the American Group Psychotherapy Society. 5 year goal is to also become a certified yoga instructor to be able to bring that to my work with clients as well!

If you're unsure what any of these terms mean, don't worry! Just know that I take the academic side of my work seriously and am always learning how to be a better therapist for you.

this is a welcoming space for you

My primary focus is to create a safe space for you regardless of your religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, socio economic status, etc. I work to build an anti-oppressive, anti-colonial, anti-ableist, anti-fat-phobic, and anti-ractist space that includes safety to have the conversations where inherent biases can and will come up in the therapeutic process. Please feel free to ask me more about my inclusive policies.