For the past five years, I have been working with children and families with complex behavioral and emotional needs, ranging from anxiety, depression, trauma, oppositional behavior and school refusal, to developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder. I work from an eclectic approach, largely drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Process Theory, and Family Systems Theory. I implement strategies and principles from both Nurtured Heart Approach and culturally sensitive Trauma Informed Care.
My previous experience includes serving both English and Spanish speaking populations, and am a Native Spanish speaker myself. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Delaware and hold a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Montclair State University. I have earned a post-Master’s certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Kean University.
Parents and caregivers are an essential part of working with children and adolescents. I work with children and adolescents on an individual basis and incorporate family sessions to include parents and caregivers in the process. I often utilize play therapy strategies with younger children who may find it easier to express themselves and open up through the use of a game or team activity. I believe it is important to recognize the strengths of any child or teen, building the child’s inner wealth, and developing a strong sense of self. We utilize these strengths as the foundation for change and work toward achieving positive outcomes, in accordance with the Nurtured Heart Approach.
