I am a bicultural and bilingual (English/Portuguese) therapist learning everyday from the intersectionality of my social location. I primarily see myself as a naturalized immigrant of color shaped by the life events of immigration, acculturation and the challenges of creating new and sustainable relationships. I understand the impact of leaving loved ones and community behind or having a feeling of not belonging and how important it is to our wellbeing to establish a community and create secure and nurturing relationships.

 

​I am dedicated to understanding the impact that certain life events, namely traumatic events, can have on us on a personal, relational, emotional, mental and physical level and how that can affect the relationships that we have with ourselves and others.

 

My training began in the community counseling context, and I was fortunate enough to work where social justice was a primary concern and where I could help communities from diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds overcome life, family and relationships concerns, anxiety, depression and trauma.

 

I continue to feel just as fortunate to continue my work as a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working primarily within a trauma-informed EFT framework. I strive to help my clients overcome their life and relationship challenges by creating a nurturing and safe space while walking beside them on their journey of growth.

 

I believe that humans are bonding, relational beings who need to feel secure and loved in their close relationships. We need to know that we matter to our loved ones. We need to feel heard, seen and accepted for who we are. I also believe that the quality of our relationships can deeply impact our mental wellness in general. 

 

As a therapist, I am guided by the idea that the more effectively dependent we are on each other, the more independent and adventurous we become. In other words, the more we feel connected, able to trust and count on a romantic partner, a family member or a friend, the more we feel capable of taking on life's challenges, the more uncertainty we can tolerate, and the braver we become. It is when we stop feeling that security and trust in our relationships, when we stop feeling emotionally connected and not heard and seen that issues arise all the while being unable to access deep emotions and needs and communicate them clearly to one another.