Hi, I’m Jessica.

I’m a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Florida. I received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Throughout my work in agencies and private practice settings, I have specialized in helping individuals and couples create healthy relationships with themselves and others.

Being able to achieve this goal can seem difficult when it’s hard enough living in a society where mental health is stigmatized. Let’s face it, this work can feel overwhelming and intimidating. I know, because I’ve had to do my own inner work. As a first-generation Hispanic American, I’ve struggled with navigating through my own personal struggles and managing the expectations placed on me because of cultural and societal constructs. So, I understand the importance of finding a therapist who you feel connected to and can understand your own personal struggles.

As a therapist, I’ve worked with individuals who have experienced a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, familial/relational conflict, and life transitions and adjustments. I’ve also helped people who have difficulty with setting healthy boundaries, sacrificing their own needs over others, and feeling guilty for practicing self-care. Not only can lack of boundaries and assertiveness underlie most relationship issues, it can sometimes lead to experiencing perpetual conflict with others.

I’ve worked with individuals who may be struggling with loss of self or feelings of resentment in their relationships. I help those wanting to rebuild trust after experiencing betrayal or infidelity. I assist couples in increasing their intimacy and connection, and navigating different gender role expectations.

What consistently stands out to me in my work with couples (specifically intercultural couples), is the cultural scripts that are embedded in us from an early age. We rarely question the beliefs that were passed down to us, usually we accept them as obvious truths.

Here’s the thing, we weren’t given written manuals to navigate this thing called life. We weren’t born into this world with clear directions on how to be the best partner, parent, son, daughter, etc. However, we do have the ability to tailor our own manual and discern what tools serve us best and let go of the ones that don’t.

Therapy not only helps you develop the skills necessary to do so, it also helps you foster the self-compassion, self-empowerment, and resiliency needed to maintain it.

As your therapist, I would pay close attention to your patterns and look to understand your full story before examining the “issue” that brings you into therapy. Through the use of Narrative and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), I would take a collaborative approach to explore, discuss, and challenge your thoughts and feelings as well as work towards creating goals that will help you lead to fulfillment and overall well-being.

I look forward to connecting with you and helping you achieve the life you desire.