My Background

I earned my master’s degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis on depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. While earning my master’s degree, I worked as a mental health counselor at an elementary school providing play therapy and family therapy to children and families. This work led me to write my graduate dissertation on recognizing symptoms of trauma in children and how to support children that may otherwise be overlooked for mental health services. 

After graduating with my master’s degree, I worked as a mental health therapist with foster and county placed youth at a short-term residential treatment program. In this position I provided trauma focused care to teens ages 13-17 and facilitated group therapy. In addition to this work, I provided counseling services to adolescents placed in a hospital diversion program and an intensive outpatient program to decrease self-harm urges, suicidal ideation, and symptoms of depression and panic. 

While working with children and teenagers remains a passion and specialization of mine, I chose to leave residential care once I became licensed in the state of California as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. As an LMFT I began providing mental health services to children, teens, and adults in a private practice setting. In my private practice I treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and anger. I also support teenagers in transitioning to adulthood and adults with challenging life transitions. 

I grew up in Carmel, CA and live in Monterey. I love being able to be of service to my hometown and give back to my community. I identify as biracial and grew up in a Hispanic household, and I am very connected to my Puerto Rican roots. Navigating being White and Puerto Rican has helped me immensely in my work with clients from different cultures, particularly those who identify as Latino, Hispanic, or White. 

Hypnosis and Shamanic Work

Before becoming a licensed mental health practitioner in the Monterey Bay area, I earned a two-year certification in the Spiritual Counseling Practice of Depth Hypnosis through the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. I use depth hypnosis as a modality to work with trauma and access the root cause for problems that clients are experiencing. Additionally, I am a student of shamanic practices and am trained in facilitating soul retrievals, power retrievals, soul part exchanges; and guiding self-ceremonies and rituals. I am also a certified Reiki Master. 

Credentials and Experience

View my CV and list of publications

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• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, License # 132644

• MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute

• Modalities: depth psychology, person-centered, play therapy, family-systems, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, trauma-focused, and dream work

• Certified in the Spiritual Counseling Practice of Depth Hypnosis through the Foundation of the Sacred Stream