“You are what your deep, driving desire is. As you desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed, so is your destiny.”
— The Upanishads
Therapy Overview & Practice Framework
Experience
I am a bi-lingual (English-Spanish) ecotherapist, life-coach, trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, non-profit consultant and adjunct faculty member at Boston University School of Social Work. I have a Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Public Health from Boston University. I have extensive experience working with survivors of violence and abuse (including sex-trafficking), social justice activists, college students, academics, people of color, LGBQT people, immigrants and refugees, people who work in the sex industry, and people in BDSM & polyamorous communities. As a queer Latina working in a field where there are few therapists of color and fewer queer therapists of color, it is my mission to provide socially and politically conscious, trauma-informed, therapy to people of color (PoC) and queer & trans people of color (QTPoC).
My Specialties
I offer therapy with individuals and couples related to:
Trauma (including, but not limited to, healing from sexual violence and abuse, partner abuse, childhood abuse and neglect, commercial sexual exploitation/sex-trafficking, civil war, and persecution)
Anxiety and depression
Adjustment difficulties and transitions
Relationship challenges
Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression
Self-care and sustainability in social justice activism
Finding passion and purpose
Emotional distress related to oppression, such as racism, sexism, classism, homo and transphobia, immigration status, etc.
My Approach
I believe that all people have the wisdom and resources to heal and be well within them. My job as a therapist is to help people access their wisdom and inner resources through a variety of therapeutic approaches. I am an eclectic therapist and tailor therapy towards each client’s individual needs. My therapeutic approach is holistic, meaning that I address needs related to mind, body and spirit as is appropriate for each client. I integrate spiritual, artistic, somatic and nature-based approaches in therapy as desired by clients. I centralize the importance of accountability in practice by asking for feedback after and jointly identifying homework for clients to do outside of session to continue the therapeutic work throughout the week.
As a therapist I also believe it is essential to look at emotional/psychological distress in social context, in order to help clients navigate the challenges of their social conditions, without believing that they are the main problem. I believe that even though I work with individuals in therapy, it is also my responsibility to address social issues and oppression that cause individual psychological/emotional distress in our larger communities and society.
My therapeutic approach is informed by (but not limited to):
The neurobiology and physiology of trauma
Yoga
Buddhism Psychology & Mindfulness
Internal Family Systems
Narrative therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Coaching for Transformation
Cognitive Therapy
Emotion Focused Therapy
Somatic therapies
Location, Contact Information & Initial Session
I am currently only accepting individual clients interested in outdoor ecotherapy and virtual couples clients. I work outdoors in natural settings in the Pioneer Valley area of Massachusetts (i.e. Northampton, Amherst, Holyoke, etc). We walk and sit in nature during talk therapy sessions. Please call or e-mail me* for more information at: (781) 436-0116 or freedomlaborlove@gmail.com . In general I am able to reply to inquiries via e-mail more quickly.
A good relationship match is central to effective therapy. Our first session will serve as a consultation so that I can learn about you and your needs and so that you can ask me questions and learn about my therapeutic approach to make sure we are a good match. If either of us feels that we are not a good match, I will do my best to assist you with finding an appropriate referral.
*Please note that e-mail is not a secure method of communication. I recommend waiting to speak with me over the phone or in person if you would like to share anything confidential.
Insurance & Fees
I am currently accept the following insurance plans:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Point 32 Health Plans (Tufts Health Insurance (commercial plans only) and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care)
Optum plans, which include: UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealthcare Shared Services (UHSS), UnitedHealthcare Global, UnitedHealthCare Exchange Plans (ONEX), Oscar, Oxford, UHC Student Resources, UMR, All Savers (UHC), Health Plans Inc & Surest (Formerly Bind)
Aetna
Out of network insurance plans
My out of pocket rate is $150 for an individual 50min session and $175 for a 60min couples session.
For prospective clients who do not have these plans please check with your health insurance provider to see if you have any out-of-network benefits. If you DO have out-of-network benefits, I can provide the required paperwork in order for you to be reimbursed for out of pocket session fees. When you call your insurance provider to ask if you have out-of-network benefits, please also ask the following questions:
How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
What are my out-of-network mental health benefits?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
Is a referral required from my primary care physician to see a therapist?
Articles I have written related to therapy
http://www.blackgirldangerous.org/2014/10/trying-therapy-queer-person-color-despite-reasons/
http://www.blackgirldangerous.org/2015/01/revolution-new-year-simpler-approach-change/