About Me

I am fascinated by the human mind as well as how our life experiences impact the people we become.  At the same time, I strongly believe that we have the power to be more than the difficult things that have happened to us.  Seeking therapy can be intimidating but also incredibly rewarding.  I consider it an honor to work with people on their journey to healing and self-improvement.  My goal is to provide a supportive environment that is free of judgement.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University (NIU) with a minor in Family and Child Studies.  I continued my education at NIU by pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.  As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have worked with individuals, families, and couples.  When working with individuals, I keep in mind how their environment and relationships affect their well-being. My theoretical orientation is person-centered and attachment-based. I believe in the strengths of every person that walks into my office. Whether you have experienced trauma, are struggling with depression, anxiety, or relational issues, my goal is to help you overcome these obstacles and live the life that you want.

I do my best work with adolescents, young adults, and adults (ages 12+).

Areas of Specialty

Trauma

I have extensive experience working with people who have experienced domestic violence, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.  I am trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), a highly effective evidence-based treatment used to help resolve problems caused by difficult or frightening experiences.  My goal is to help you integrate what happened to you so that it remains a part of your story, but does not overtake your life.

Bilingual Counseling

I grew up in Mexico as well as in the United States and know what it’s like to be a part of two different cultures.  I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish and have experience providing therapy in both languages.  I believe this also helps me in connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.

En Español:

Tengo experiencia trabajando con personas de 12 años en adelante. Mi especialidad es en trauma, depresión/ansiedad y terapia de parejas. También con personas que han pasado por situaciones de violencia doméstica, abuso físico, sexual y emocional. Tengo entrenamiento en terapia EMDR (Desensibilización y Reprocesamiento por los Movimientos Oculares), un medio que utilizo con frecuencia para ayudar a superar experiencias difíciles.

Creo que cada persona con la que trabajo tiene ciertas habilidades y áreas de fortaleza que le ayudarán en su camino.  Siempre trato de mantener un ambiente terapéutico en el cual la gente se sienta bienvenida y libre de prejuicios, en donde puedan recibir el apoyo necesario para cumplir sus metas. Utilizo un enfoque de tratamiento sistémico y terapia de apego, aunque el enfoque de terapia es moldeado a lo que cada persona necesita.

Additional Areas/Populations of Focus

-Depression

-Anxiety

-Life Transitions

-Couples and Pre-Marital Counseling

-Relational Conflict

-Ages 12 and up

Certifications/Training

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • 40-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Training (2011)
  • EMDR Basic Training (2014)
  • Gottman Level One Training (2018)
  • Certified PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator (2018)