Experience

I am a bilingual therapist with more than two decades of experience as an advocate and therapist for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Currently I am working as a Clinical Supervisor for the United States Committee of Refugees and Immigrants – USCRI. Before joining USCRI, I was serving as the Immigrant Outreach Program Director in Western North Carolina. In my native country Colombia, I had also served as a leader for different child abuse and violence prevention programs. I hold an MSW with concentration in bilingual mental health and migration studies from Loyola University Chicago, a master’s degree in Family Violence Intervention from University of Barcelona in Spain and a B.S. in Psychology from Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia. I also hold a certificate on trauma and recovery from Harvard Medical School. I am an AAUW awardee, and I have been recognized as a Red Cross Community Hero for my work with the immigrant community. I have an LCSWA in North Carolina and I am a licensed Psychologist in Colombia. I am trained in EMDR, TBRI (Trusted Based Relationship Intervention), Circle of Security Parenting, PCIT, TF-CBT, Ethno-Racial Trauma (HEART), and other trauma informed play therapy interventions. Although, my expertise is working with adults and children affected by trauma, I also support clients with other issues like anxiety, codependency, parenting, life transitions, and children on the autism spectrum. Clinical Supervisor: USCRI, USA Immigrant Outreach Program Director/Bilingual Therapist: 30th Alliance, USA Psychology Professor: Uniminuto Colombia Policy Advisor on Gender based Violence: USA and Colombia Program Director for DV program and Children Foundation: USA and Colombia

Awards/Service

• Tzedek Impact Award, 2022
• Red Cross Salute to Heroes Community Award, 2022
• Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training Program (B-WEP) Awardee, 2021-2022
• AAUW 2020-21 Career Development Awardee
• Scholarship, Loyola Chicago University, MSW Merit, 2019
• Scholarship, Poznań Human Rights Centre, 2011
• Scholarship, United Nations, Virtual School for Latin America, Human Development, 2010
• Law and Order Honor Medal for Excellent Service, Colombian Army, 1997

Desired populations

Children, Adults, Groups

Treatment modalities

EMDR, TBRI (Trusted Based Relationship Intervention), Circle of Security Parenting, PCIT, TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Ethno-Racial Trauma (HEART), and other trauma informed play therapy interventions.

Specialties/ issues treated

Trauma therapy, domestic violence, abuse, anxiety, codependency, parenting, life transitions, and children on the autism spectrum.

Personal interests, passions or hobbies

Spending time with my family, dancing salsa, building Legos and travel.

States

NC