I find joy and inspiration in witnessing people’s profound resilience and capacity to forge meaningful changes in their lives. I believe that the past informs yet does not fully determine the present, and that we all have the ability to heal and transform our lives in significant ways.

I work from an anti-oppressive lens. I believe that the examination of our social identities such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, age, etc., is an essential component to the understanding of our experiences, how we perceive ourselves, and the ways in which others perceive and relate to us. I view healing in terms of connections and relationships. I believe that healing happens when we can have a more integrated understanding of our somatic, mental, and social experience.

I see therapy as a collaborative partnership that yields benefits to the extent that one is willing to be an active participant in their own healing and put into practice what is learned in sessions. I have worked with many people who have learned to manage intense emotions and impulsive behaviors, enhanced trust in themselves, improved their relationships, and found greater meaning and purpose in their lives.

Exercise, mindful breathwork, and active meditation are an integral part of my life. I believe that these practices based on movement and mindfulness help me connect with clients more intentionally and thoughtfully. I also love to spend time in nature, sensing it, connecting with it, and learning from it. I find that this habit helps me to better attune to myself, clients, and the world around me.

I was born and raised in Bolivia, and I am a native Spanish speaker. I lived in Europe and Asia before moving to the US. Living in different cultures and regions of the world has helped me to value multiple perspectives and experiences. It has also deepened my understanding of how differences in values and beliefs - and their relative influence and power within a specific context - impact relationships.

The experience of being an outsider in different contexts has allowed me to appreciate supportive relationships and welcoming communities. I believe that while healing takes on different shapes for different people, nourishing relationships and communities are essential to it.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in New York. I hold a B.A. in education from Universidad Mayor de San Simon (2000) in Bolivia. I also hold two master’s degrees from US institutions, an Ed.M. from Columbia University (2010) and M.S. in social work from New York University (2015). In addition, I completed a postgraduate training program in family therapy at the Ackerman Institute (2018). Currently, I am training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.

The Ackerman approach provides a therapy lens that examines the influence of larger societal factors, including systems of oppression, while it focuses on people’s strengths rather than on individuals’ psychopathology. EMDR therapy offers an integrative approach to healing, with an emphasis on the workings of the mind-body connection and neuroplasticity.

I view learning as a lifelong process of ongoing reflection and integration of experiences. I continuously work on adding to my knowledge, honing my skills, and reflecting on my work.

I have worked in various settings including schools, community organizations, outpatient mental health clinics, and private practices. Prior to immigrating to the US, I worked in teacher training and adult education with marginalized populations.