WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?

LIFE keeps giving me opportunities to adjust to changes in my body, emotions, thoughts, and spirit. Some days are easier than others, and that is part of being human. I see it as a way of strengthening my ability to adapt and grow. When my emotions feel intense, I may feel caught between different choices, but reaching out, connecting with someone, and taking ACTION usually helps me build resilience and keep moving forward.

WHERE DID I LEARN THE CRAFT OF PSYCHOTHERAPY?

My journey began in my community in Puerto Rico, where I first learned the importance of human connection, shared purpose, and community support. In high school at El Colegio De La Salle, I became even more aware of the value of working together and being part of something greater than myself. These early experiences laid the foundation for my lifelong commitment to supporting others.

I later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras, followed by a Master’s degree in Drama Therapy from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at New York University, where I studied how theater can be used in psychotherapy. I also completed a Master’s degree in Social Work at the Silver School of Social Work at New York University.

Through the Sociometric Institute and the Psychodrama and Creative Arts Therapy Institute in New York, I became a Trainer, Educator, and Practitioner in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy (TEP) in 2006. My clinical training was further enriched through experience at Metropolitan Hospital and Bellevue Hospital in New York City, as well as Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, DC.

HOW MANY YEAR? WHAT ISSUES?

With over 25 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to providing compassionate counseling services and mental health support to individuals navigating a wide range of life challenges. I strive to create a supportive, respectful, and collaborative space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. My experience includes working with concerns such as combat trauma, PTSD, military sexual trauma, substance use recovery, dual diagnosis, HIV-related concerns, mental health disorders, domestic violence, communication, resilience, conflict resolution, boundaries, and co-dependent behavior.

WITH WHOM HAVE I WORKED?

I provide counseling services for adolescents, young adults, and older adults, as well as support for families of individuals in addiction and recovery. My work also includes school counseling and serving military personnel, veterans, teachers, and police officers.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

My clinical training allows me to thoughtfully assess psychosocial and psychiatric factors within the scope of my practice, offering meaningful insight into the complexities of trauma-related concerns such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Psychodrama, an action-based therapeutic method, as well as mindfulness practices, to support emotional regulation, coping, and symptom management.

PSYCHODRAMA

I have also facilitated group psychodrama and psychotherapy sessions in a supportive space for individuals navigating substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and trauma. In these groups, I help clients strengthen relapse prevention skills, improve communication, and build healthier relationships. My goal is to support each person’s resilience, growth, and sense of empowerment.

WHERE HAVE I WORKED?

My experience spans a range of settings and communities, including Bellevue Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital in New York; Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, DC; the Miami Vet Center through the Veterans Health Administration; Hanley Center at Origins Behavioral Health Care in Florida; Harmony Place, Avalon by the Sea, Westside Treatment, The Hills, and The Discovery House in California; District 75 of the New York City Public Schools; Hialeah Gardens High School; and Tampa General Hospital in Florida. Across every setting, my focus has remained the same: to provide compassionate support, guidance, and care that helps individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered.