I have focused on the areas of interpersonal violence, sexual violence and complex trauma. I am passionate about the neuropsychology of trauma and how our brains respond to it.   As a Mexican-Canadian, I am familiar with acculturation and the barriers newcomers face. I speak Spanish fluently and can provide counselling in this language. Although I worked primarily with adults, I also have experience working with youth and children 6+ who experience anxiety. 

I have a bachelor's in Tourism administration and worked in the business field for 20+ years, as well as teaching and training for 5+ years. After 5 years of living in Canada, I decided to change careers to focus on the field of mental health. I graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Crime, Justice and Law with Great Distinction. In 2020, I earned my Bachelor of Social Work. Currently, I am studying my Master of Social Work at the University of Waterloo and expect to graduate by the Fall of 2025. 

I did my undergraduate social work practicums at a halfway house and later the Regional Psychiatric Centre, where I accepted a position after graduating. During this time, I gained valuable knowledge on trauma, mental health diagnoses and therapeutic interventions. I have a curious nature, and I strive to be a life-long learner. For the past 4 years, I have been consistently upgrading my knowledge through different courses, seminars and certifications, as well as in my current studies at the University of Waterloo. 

My style is conversational, authentic, intuitive and tailored to what works for you. Sometimes you may feel there is nothing to talk about or do not know how to start, and that is ok! We will always have meaningful conversations that may not look like therapy, but they are therapeutic nonetheless. I work from different approaches as I believe there is no one-size-fits-all. I draw elements from various therapies such as CBT, DBT, Polyvagal Theory, CT-R and Narrative Therapy.

When people feel heard and validated and are given the language to make sense of their experience, they begin their journey. Shame and judgement can be powerful forces that work against people and understanding where those come from and how they affect them is key to taking back control of their healing.

So many! As a Mexican, we have a saying for every occasion, but this time, I will pick one that I learned when I was a kid and reminds me of the power of having a safe space: “One hour in a safe port can help you heal from the hundred years spent in the storm at sea” (Una hora en el puerto basta para olvidar cien años de tormenta sufridos en el mar).