Position at CCPH: Staff Psychologist
Year joined UMass: 2016
Clinical Interests: My interests include working with multicultural and immigration issues, trauma/PTSD, family/couple/peer relationship conflicts/issues, interpersonal deficits/skills, people with disabilities and ADHD. I am passionate about clinical supervision and training. I am interested in doing psychotherapy research especially with Latino and/or culturally diverse populations.
Education: B.A.,in Psychology and Modern Languages, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, PR, in 2003; M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Carlos Albizu University, San Juan, PR, in 2007; Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Carlos Albizu University, San Juan, PR in 2010.
Professional Experience: I have extensive experience working in community mental health settings and with culturally diverse people with multiplicity of stressors/lack of resources. Previously joining UMASS, I worked at The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, CT as a Supervising Psychologist for two years. Formerly, I was a Team Leader/ Clinical Supervisor in School Street Counseling Institute at BHN, in Springfield, MA. I have also experience working in the prison system in Puerto Rico and with various clinical research projects.
Certifications/Licenses: Licensed Psychologist in Massachusetts, Connecticut (currently inactive) and Florida. I am trained in Trauma focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and certified in Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Conduct Problems (MATCH). Recently Trained in EMDR, level I. Completed a yearlong certificate program in Family Systems Therapy at Therapy Training Boston.
Memberships: National Latina/o Psychological Association Member; APA Minority Fellowship Program PSI Fellow.
More about me: I am Latina, coming from Puerto Rico, and am proud of my heritage. I am fully bilingual in Spanish and English and conversational in Portuguese.
I use several psychotherapy models when treating clients using a post-modern/constructivist approach which allows clients to reach their full potential. I use a collaborative strength based approach as an overarching philosophy because I believe clients are the experts and authors of their life. Several models I use are Interpersonal Therapy, Family Systems, CBT, TFCBT/prolonged exposure, DBT and narrative/solution focused. I believe in being genuine to help clients build trust and feel comfortable.
“I am human; let nothing human be alien to me” - Terrence
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” - Albert Pine
