Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Available for Supervision Only

Welcome to Love Light Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC, where I proudly serve as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer. As a seasoned Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I bring over 15 years of experience in mental health to my role, complemented by certifications as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and Certified Mindfulness Informed Professional (CMIP). I established this group psychotherapy practice with a deep commitment to providing holistic, compassionate, and affordable therapy. Our team of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) therapists is dedicated to empowering individuals through personalized care, while our supervisory team is committed to training therapists to become pillars of support within their communities. At the heart of our mission is a strong emphasis on a holistic approach to mental health care.

Commitment

With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, I am dedicated to delivering holistic psychotherapy that addresses anxiety, trauma, and overall mental wellness. My focus is on guiding clients through their mental health journeys with confidence, resilience, and, most importantly, fostering a deep sense of empathy and grace for themselves. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can openly explore their emotions and experiences, allowing them to heal and grow with compassion and understanding.

Areas of Focus

In my individual practice, I primarily support adults in managing anxiety and trauma. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of settings, including St. Barnabas Hospital's Behavioral Health System in the Bronx, where I provided counseling for adults struggling with substance use and led trauma support groups for women. My work with the Westchester Community Opportunity Program allowed me to offer crisis intervention and emotional support to survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, at NYC's Bridges to Health Program, I addressed the mental health needs of children in foster care, collaborating closely with families and school staff to ensure their educational and emotional well-being.

Therapeutic Approach

I take an integrative and holistic approach to therapy, utilizing a wide range of techniques to address the unique needs of each client. My approach includes:

• Holistic Psychotherapy: I combine various therapeutic techniques to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—particularly effective in addressing the complex interplay of anxiety and trauma.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS): I help clients understand and integrate their internal "parts" to heal from trauma and reduce anxiety, fostering self-compassion and internal harmony.
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): I use this specialized form of CBT to help clients, particularly children and adolescents, process and overcome the impact of traumatic experiences, reducing trauma-related symptoms and anxiety.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): I encourage clients to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, using mindfulness strategies and commitment to personal values to effectively manage anxiety and trauma.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): I combine mindfulness meditation and yoga to reduce stress, helping clients manage anxiety and trauma-related symptoms by fostering present-moment awareness.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): I focus on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety and trauma, helping clients develop healthier coping mechanisms.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: I delve into unconscious processes and past experiences, particularly those rooted in trauma, to help clients understand and resolve underlying causes of anxiety.
• Psychoanalytic Therapy: I explore the unconscious mind to uncover and address unresolved emotional conflicts that often manifest as anxiety and trauma responses.
• Person-Centered Therapy: I emphasize a non-directive, empathetic approach, allowing clients to explore their anxiety and trauma at their own pace, fostering self-awareness and healing.
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): I concentrate on finding immediate solutions and setting future goals, helping clients quickly manage symptoms of anxiety and trauma.
• Narrative Therapy: I encourage clients to reframe and rewrite their personal narratives, enabling them to process and move beyond traumatic experiences and reduce anxiety.
• Humanistic Therapy: I focus on personal growth and self-actualization, helping clients overcome anxiety and trauma by emphasizing their capacity for self-healing and resilience.
• Somatic Experiencing: I incorporate body-focused techniques to release physical tension and trauma stored in the body, supporting the emotional healing process and reducing anxiety.

Specializations

I specialize in:

• Anxiety: I help clients manage and alleviate anxiety by identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and implementing mindfulness techniques. My holistic approach ensures that we address the underlying causes of anxiety, promoting long-term emotional balance and well-being.
• Trauma: I work with clients to process and heal from traumatic experiences, using a range of therapeutic techniques designed to help them regain a sense of safety and control. My focus is on fostering resilience and empowering clients to move forward with confidence and hope.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercy University
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. John's University

Credentials

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) - New York
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) - New Jersey
• National Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP)
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
• Certified Mindfulness Informed Professional (CMIP)

Professional Memberships

• Treasurer of New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• Bank of America Women’s Entrepreneurship Program