Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re used to carrying things on your own. You may be navigating a major transition, grieving a loss, feeling stuck in anxiety or depression, questioning your identity, or trying to untangle experiences from the past that still feel present in your body and relationships.

At some point, pushing through stops working. Therapy becomes less about “handling it” and more about understanding it.

I work with adults across New Jersey. Many of my clients are first-generation, BIPOC, or navigating the pressure of family expectations, cultural identity, and generational responsibility. As a bilingual Latinx therapist, I understand how intergenerational stress and systemic experiences shape mental health. You won’t have to translate your culture or explain your background here. We can start from a place of shared understanding.

My approach is collaborative, down-to-earth, and flexible. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, and trauma-informed care. I also specialize in substance use recovery and harm reduction, helping clients explore their relationship with substances without shame or rigid judgment. Change doesn’t require perfection — it requires awareness, support, and realistic steps forward.

Therapy with me is structured but not rigid. We’ll clarify your goals, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and build skills that feel sustainable. When helpful, I incorporate creative elements like music, art, or humor to deepen connection and insight. Healing doesn’t have to be serious or distant, it can feel human.

I offer sessions in both English and Spanish and am deeply committed to culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy. We move at your pace. Growth is not rushed here. Your story deserves space, care, and thoughtful reflection.

If you’re ready to move beyond just “getting through it” and want to better understand yourself, your patterns, and your capacity for change, I’d be honored to support you.

Areas of Expertise

✔ Life Transitions, Grief & Loss
✔ Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction
✔ Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Overwhelm
✔ Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive Therapy
✔ CBT, Motivational Interviewing, IFS & Narrative Therapy
✔ Teens (16+), First-Gen & Men’s Mental Health

If you’re tired of just trying to “get through it,” and want a space to feel seen, supported, and empowered—I’m here to help. You don’t have to figure it out all at once, and I am here to support you.

Credentials & Certifications

✔ Licensed Social Worker (LSW) – New Jersey
✔ Master of Social Work – Ramapo College of New Jersey
✔ Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
✔ Trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, IFS & Narrative Therapy
✔ Certified in SIPS/SOPS (Yale University) & Narcan
✔ 5+ years of experience supporting diverse communities, including first-gen and Spanish-speaking clients

Publications

Sarmiento, J (Winter 2024). Colors Dripping Off: A Call to Support Diverse Students. NASW-NJ FOCUS Magazine. (page 44)

Insurance

✔ In-Network: Aetna
✔ Out of Network: with complimentary billing support.