SUPPORTING ADULTS, COUPLES, TEENS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

INTEGRATING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

As a therapist, I take a holistic therapy approach taking into account your mind, body, and spirit to identify and address the underlying causes of your symptoms and concerns. Through this perspective, we can understand the interconnection of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

We will work together to identify and understand the contributing factors to your symptoms, which may include physical, emotional, or spiritual imbalances.

I integrate different modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Mindfulness, Transpersonal and other holistic approaches during the therapeutic sessions. Integrating these techniques can be supportive for you in gaining a greater awareness of your needs and develop a deeper connection to yourself. By achieving this understanding, we can create balance and unity within you and build effective strategies for managing stressors and any other challenges you may be facing. 

HEALING FOR MULTICULTURAL & LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES

I am a Latinx-American daughter of immigrant parents. Through this lens I recognize that each individual has a unique set of experiences and cultural factors that shape their behaviors, values, perspective, and worldviews. Therefore, it is essential to approach each client with openness, sensitivity, and respect in honoring these differences.

I have had the privilege and experience in working with a diverse range of clients from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, gender-non conforming, faith-base, and others from marginalized communities. I provide a collaborative treatment approach that is based on your values and ideas. I believe that meeting you where you are and understanding how you see yourself is crucial to truly being seen and understood.

deeper connection and intimacy for couples

I aim to maintain a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental holding space for both partners to express their needs and concerns openly and honestly. We will work collaboratively to identify and understand the underlying causes of any conflicts and tension in your relationship, including physical, emotional, and spiritual factors that may be contributing to your relationship struggles.

Together, we will explore lifestyle factors that may be impacting your relationship, such as stress, home-life, work-life balance, and overall self-care practices. By focusing on developing effective strategies to overcome challenges by developing healthier communication, conflict resolution skills, improving emotional regulation, and learning how to cultivate intimacy and connection can help you and your partner strengthen and build a more fulfilling relationship.

SUPPORTING CHILDREN & TEENS

Prioritizing mental health in children and teens can have a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual, contributing to a healthier, more resilient society, and building a brighter future for generations to come.

I have worked with people at different stages of their lives, but my most rewarding experiences have been working alongside children and adolescents. Witnessing them heal, grow, and flourish is a beautiful process as they carry light, joy, and resiliency within them.

As a child and adolescent therapist, I specialize in working with children and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma coping, self-esteem issues, academics, behavioral and social difficulties. I am able to support children and adolescents who are experiencing family conflict, divorce, and other significant life changes. I can help them develop coping skills and regulate their emotions by navigating the challenges of growing up and developing the skills they need to thrive.

I aim to create a space where they will feel seen, heard, and validated. A patient, non-judgemental, and safe holding space that allows them to freely express themselves and dig into their own healing process. I strongly believe in working collaboratively with parents and families to create a supportive and nurturing environment for children to grow and thrive.

HEALING TRAUMA FOR LASTING CHANGE

As a trauma-informed therapist, I am committed to helping you in healing from your past traumas and building resilience for your future. I have a deep understanding of the impact that trauma can have on your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. I recognize the unique needs and experiences you may carry therefore I honor your voice and believe You are the expert in Your care.

My aim is to develop a strong therapeutic alliance with you, which is based on respect, trust, and empathy. I prioritize safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment in all aspects of my work. Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person's life but it does not have to maintain control of it. I am dedicated to helping you find the hope, healing, and recovery you deserve.

SPECIALTIES AND INTERESTS

• Bilingual (Fluent in Spanish)

• Spirituality and/or Religion

• Mindfulness

• Generational Trauma

• First-gen college students/young professionals

• Self Esteem Issues

• Sense of Self

• Personal growth and self-exploration

• Establishing healthy boundaries

• Anxiety and Stress

• Relationship challenges

• Supporting women

• BIPOC

• Latinx

• LGBTQ+ 

credentials and EDUCATION

• Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology, MFT emphasis, National University

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice Studies, San Francisco State University

• Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #114899 . Supervised by Krystal Williams, LMFT #110301, LPCC#7399. Employed by Life by Design Therapy.

TRAINING

• Emotional Attachments in Relationships, Presented by Susan Dannen, LISW (May 2022)

• The Holistic Therapist: Bringing The Body and Soul Into The Therapy Room, w/LeNaya Smith Crawford (May 2022)

• Understanding Trauma w/Jaymi Dormaier, LMSW (Mindspring Mental Health Alliance) (November 2021)

• Spirituality & the Brain w/author of “The Awakened Brain”, Dr. Miller (Revel Eleven) (October 2021)

• An Introduction to Becoming Trauma-Informed with Transforming Communities Together (TCT) & The Lighthouse Group (TLG) (October 2021)

• Somatic Art Therapy mind-body connection w/Shereen Bar-or, MPS. LCAT, ATR-BC (The New York Art Therapy Association (NYATA) (September 2021)

• Introduction to Schema Therapy w/ Ashley Addiction Treatment’s  Dr. David Crone, Psy. D. (September 2021) 

Accepting New clients in berkeley and online!

More questions?  Visit our FAQ page.

**All psychotherapy services are provided by Life by Design Therapy™, a holistic and somatic psychotherapy center founded by Melody Wright, LMFT. Life by Design Therapy™ welcomes the diversity of all ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, family configurations, sexual orientations, and gender identities.