A Depth-Oriented and Integrative Approach
My work is grounded in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and informed by more than 25 years of clinical experience. Psychoanalytic therapy pays careful attention to the emotional patterns that emerge both in a person’s life outside the therapy room and within the therapeutic relationship itself.
As therapy unfolds, these patterns often become more visible and understandable. Over time, this process can open the possibility for new ways of relating to oneself and to others. I am particularly interested in the ways past experiences and unconscious patterns continue to influence our relationships, choices, and emotional lives. Therapy offers a space where these patterns can be explored thoughtfully and with care..
In addition to psychoanalytic work, I integrate perspectives and methods that may support the therapeutic process when appropriate, including EMDR, trauma-informed yoga, exposure and response prevention (ERP), and other approaches that address the emotional, relational, and embodied dimensions of experience.
My goal is to respond thoughtfully to the unique needs of each person. Although I am now based in Austin, I am licensed in Texas, Washington and Illinois and work with patients and as a consultant in those locations.
The Therapeutic Process
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process that unfolds gradually. Rather than offering quick solutions or advice, therapy creates a reflective space where thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be explored more fully.
In this setting, patients often begin to notice recurring themes in their relationships, emotional responses, and ways of understanding themselves. As these patterns become more visible, it becomes possible to approach them with greater awareness and flexibility.
The therapeutic relationship itself becomes an important part of this work. Experiences that arise within therapy can offer valuable insight into relational patterns that may otherwise remain outside conscious awareness.
Over time, this process can lead to a deeper sense of clarity, emotional freedom, and capacity for meaningful connection.
Leadership and Teaching
Engagement in the psychoanalytic community is an important part of my professional life. I value participating in professional organizations that foster dialogue, intellectual exchange, and the continued development of psychoanalytic thought.
I currently serve as Immediate Past President of the Houston Psychoanalytic Society, where I have been involved in supporting programming, community engagement, and collaboration among analysts, psychotherapists, and trainees. I previously served on the board of the Houston Group Psychotherapy Association, reflecting my longstanding commitment to group psychotherapy and the study of therapeutic processes that unfold in relational settings.
In 2025 I received the AAPCSW Diana Siskind Excellence in Writing Award for my clinical paper examining immigration and the analytic encounter. This work explores how cultural transition, displacement, and identity shape the therapeutic relationship and reflects my broader interest in the ways social and cultural experience intersect with intrapsychic life.
Teaching and mentoring emerging clinicians has also been a meaningful part of my work. I have taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work and have supervised and mentored clinicians in a variety of clinical settings over the course of my career.
I currently offer consultation, supervision, and case conference groups for therapists interested in developing their capacity to think psychodynamically about clinical work. These spaces support clinicians in reflecting on complex cases, exploring transference and countertransference dynamics, and deepening their understanding of the therapeutic process.
Professional Affiliations
I am actively engaged in the psychoanalytic and psychotherapy community through professional organizations that support clinical dialogue, training, and collaboration.
Psychoanalytic and Psychotherapy Organizations
American Psychoanalytic Association
American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work (AAPCSW)
Houston Psychoanalytic Society
Austin Psychoanalytic
Group Psychotherapy Organizations
American Group Psychotherapy Association
Houston Group Psychotherapy Society
Austin Group Psychotherapy Society
Professional and Community Organizations
National Association of Social Workers
Austin In Connection
Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Professional Experience
Over the years, I have worked with individuals across a wide spectrum of care, including acute psychiatric settings, bilingual community mental health settings, and intensive outpatient programs. I am originally from Mexico City and have worked extensively with immigrant populations.
At The Menninger Clinic in Houston, I spent several years in the Young Adult Program specializing in dual diagnosis and personality disorders while supervising clinical interns and fellows. This experience deepened my respect for the resilience of people navigating complex psychological challenges and reinforced my belief in treatment that is individualized, thoughtful, and developmentally attuned. Originally from Mexico City, I completed graduate training in clinical social work and began my clinical career in Houston in 2000. For the first decade of my professional life, I worked in bilingual community mental health settings, an experience that profoundly shaped my clinical foundation and deepened my commitment to culturally responsive care.
Although I am now based in Austin, I am licensed in Texas, Washington and Illinois and work with patients and as a consultant in those locations.
Training
My years of formal post-graduate training have been deeply influenced by psychoanalytic and psychodynamic thinking.
I am in advanced psychoanalytic training at the Houston Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and completed two years of psychodynamic psychotherapy training at the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center and I continue to remain actively engaged in the psychoanalytic community.
In addition, I have formal training in several evidence-based and trauma-informed modalities, including:
• EMDR
• the ASSYST (Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization) protocol for critical stress incidents
• Exposure and Response Prevention through the Behavior Therapy Training Institute for OCD
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Trauma-Sensitive Yoga through the Center for Trauma and Embodiment
I am also a certified yoga teacher and hold a certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (CPTR) with specialized training in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.
Community Work
Community engagement has always been central to my work as a clinician.
I have participated in city and county efforts providing psychological first aid and trauma response following natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. I have also helped expand low-cost and pro bono psychoanalytic community mental health services for migrants seeking asylum in Houston and in Austin.
In Austin, I co-founded ATX Spanish Speaking Psychotherapists, a network created to strengthen collaboration among bilingual clinicians. I also partner with migrant-serving organizations across the country to support culturally responsive mental health care for displaced communities.
In addition to psychotherapy, I provide forensic immigration evaluations, including psychological assessments for asylum cases, hardship waivers, VAWA petitions, and related immigration proceedings.
I approach this work with clinical rigor, cultural sensitivity, and deep respect for the individuals and families whose stories are entrusted to me.
A Personal Note
Outside of my clinical work, I am drawn to practices that support reflection and presence, including yoga and contemplative traditions. These interests continue to shape how I think about healing, resilience, and the many ways people find their way toward a fuller life.
If you feel that my approach may resonate with you, I welcome you to reach out to schedule a consultation.