About Me

When I was 11 years old, a traumatic experienced changed my life. The loving support from my family, and caring therapist helped me transform pain into growth. I was 15 years old when I read a quote that said “What ruins your life is not what happens to you, but the interpretation you have given to it” (“lo que arruina la vida no es una situación , es la interpretación que le damos a esta”). I decided then and there that I wanted to help other people mastering their traumatic experiences to enjoy life despite tragedy. Born and raised in Mexico City, I studied at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. I earned my License as a Psychologist in 2004. For my dissertation, I developed a manualized treatment to helped children suffering from depressive symptoms. In Mexico, I worked as a school psychologist, and I had a private practice office helping adults, and children struggling with depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and trauma. I gained a lot of experience helping people in crisis over the phone in a free program offer by the Mexican Red Cross (SAPTEL). In 2008, I sold my car, and moved to USA to learned English. The journey was not easy… I left my parents, my dear sister, family, friends y “mi tierra” (my country) behind to follow my dream: learn more to help others. I was very lucky to have the support from my grandfather (who came to LA via the “bracero program” over 50 years ago), my loving aunt, and many other family members who also came to USA seeking for a better future. In 2009 I was accepted in the Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program at California State University, Northridge. I graduated in 2011, and earned my license in 2015. In 2012 I married a wonderful, loving, caring, compassionate man, and in 2017 I became a mother of a little boy (picture below). Again, the journey was not easy, the birthing of my child was very traumatic: epidural procedure injured a nerve, and I could not feel my left leg for almost 6 months. Postpartum depression came with it as well. A caring and knowledgeable therapists, a support group, family and friends helped me heal. I now have a way much better understanding of this common issue among mothers. The problem is that we do not talk about it because we feel so much guilt and shame. Did you know that 1 in 7 Moms and 1 in 10 Dads suffer from postpartum depression. I am now studying to become a certified a perinatal mental health professional. As you see, we can transform pain to grow and, most importantly for me, to help others. My compromise with my clients is that they will be listened to in a non-judgmental way, they will have my undivided attention (were else can anyone get 50 minutes of full attention without a cellphone on hand), I will tailor interventions to target their goals using cutting edge research to get results. If you decide that I am not the right fit for you, I will help you find someone who can fulfill your needs. My commitment is to help you (your child, family member, friend, etc.) feel better. Caveat: in therapy… sometimes we feel a little bit worse before getting better. I have been helping young children, children, families and adults for over 20 years. I have been highly trained in several evidence-based practices and well research interventions. For a full list visit My Approach section.