LMFT-S
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Approved Supervisor in the state of Texas, with over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field. My training began with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University and later I obtained a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kansas State University. Throughout my professional career I have had the opportunity to accompany individuals, couples, families and groups at different times and circumstances in their lives, always with the purpose of providing a safe space where they can feel heard, understood and accompanied.
Over the years I have worked with individuals and families facing some of life's most complex challenges, including trauma, family and relationship difficulties, immigration processes, domestic violence, substance abuse, and situations related to the judicial system. I have also worked closely with military families experiencing extended separations due to deployments, including those affected by deployments during the Iraq War. Accompanying these families through separation, reunification, and the emotional effects associated with trauma allowed me to deeply understand the importance of having support during moments of greatest vulnerability.
My experience also includes working in community mental health services, where I served families affected by immigration and substance abuse-related situations, as well as individuals referred by the courts. As part of my professional practice, I have conducted alcohol and drug evaluations and domestic violence evaluations for judicial purposes. Later, I worked at Children’s Health providing therapy and case management to children and their families.
I currently serve as Clinical Director at Therapy Works Counseling PLLC, where I perform comprehensive clinical evaluations for immigration cases and supervise master's students and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associates who are developing their professional practice. This responsibility also keeps me constantly learning and updating, since I believe that in the field of mental health we never stop learning. Continuing education, research, consultation with colleagues and knowledge of new tools and approaches are essential to offer responsible and quality support.
As a therapist, I would describe myself as a compassionate, collaborative, and direct person. I want my clients to feel comfortable and understood, but I also believe that therapy should be a space that helps us recognize patterns, question what is no longer working for us, and dare to make significant changes. My training as a couple and family therapist taught me to look at the person holistically. Therefore, in addition to what you are feeling in the present, I consider your relationships, your family, your culture, your past experiences, your current circumstances, and the different factors that may be influencing your emotional well-being.
My interest in mental health was born from a deep curiosity to understand people: why we think, feel and act in certain ways and how our experiences and relationships shape our lives. However, it has been the last 20 years of working with people and families that have reaffirmed my vocation. I have had the privilege of learning stories of people who have gone through extremely difficult circumstances and, at the same time, I have been able to witness the enormous capacity for resilience that exists in every human being. Being able to help someone feel heard, better understand what they are experiencing, recognize their strengths, and begin to move forward is one of the most significant parts of my job.
Working with the Hispanic and bilingual community also occupies an important place in my career. I have seen up close how language, culture, family values, immigration experiences, and the process of adapting to a new culture can profoundly influence mental health and the way a person seeks or receives help. For many bilingual clients, being able to express themselves in the language they are most comfortable with can make a huge difference, especially when we are talking about such personal experiences as trauma, relationships, family, or life history.
Therefore, for me it is very important to offer a space where each person can communicate authentically and feel understood and respected within their cultural and family context. I believe that no one needs to have all the answers to start therapy. Sometimes the first step is simply acknowledging that something isn't working, that we're feeling overwhelmed, or that we want something in our life to be different.
I know that starting therapy can generate nerves, doubts or even uncertainty. It's completely normal. The first session is also an opportunity to get to know each other, ask questions, and discover if there is a connection that allows you to feel safe and comfortable. Therapy is a relationship, and finding someone with whom you can feel understood and be yourself is an important part of the process.
After 20 years in this profession, I still believe that accompanying a person in their process of change is a privilege. My commitment is to offer a space of respect, honesty and understanding, where each client can explore their history, recognize their strengths and find new ways to face what is affecting their life today.
Taking the first step can be difficult, but it can also be the beginning of significant change.
