My Story
¡Hola! My name is Amy and I’m so glad you’re considering taking the next step in your healing journey. I know it can feel scary to sit across from a stranger and open up about things we often keep to ourselves. That’s why I want to share a bit about who I am - not just as a therapist, but as a person.
One of the most important parts of my identity is my heritage and the roots that have shaped me. I’m a proud Honduran-American, a daughter of immigrants, and a first-generation student. While I now feel empowered by my cultural identity, that hasn’t always been the case. Growing up in the suburbs outside of NYC, I frequently found myself in predominantly white spaces. I often felt the pressure to code-switch, to explain myself, or to shrink parts of who I was in order to fit in. These experiences deepened my commitment to making sure others feel seen, heard, and valued exactly as they are.
Another meaningful part of my identity comes from my experience as a client sitting on the other side of the therapy room. When I was first diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), I felt overwhelmed and unsure of whether a road to recovery was even possible. Many clients dealing with OCD share the same concerns I once had: “What do these thoughts say about me as a person?” “What if these thoughts and behaviors never go away?” “Will anyone ever understand what’s going on inside my head?” At the time, the idea of therapy felt foreign, confusing - and honestly, even scary. I personally felt misunderstood and alone when my mind was racing with thoughts. Going through that journey without a clear roadmap, and working with therapists who didn’t understand who I was or where I came from was a painful experience. This ultimately inspired me to become a resource for people navigating intrusive thoughts and compulsions that can feel relentless and debilitating.
My experience with OCD has given me a unique perspective on what it’s like to live with mental health challenges, and it guides the way I support my clients. Whether you’re living with OCD or facing other concerns– navigating distressing symptoms, feeling caught between two cultures, or feeling overwhelmed by the stress of daily life– I understand how exhausting it can be to hold things together when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Through our therapeutic relationship, I’ll be here to help you every step of the way on your journey to healing.
she/her/ella
Amy
Fee
$150 per 50-minute session
Insurance & Reimbursement
Vida Sana is an out-of-network practice and does not accept insurance at this time. To make reimbursement simple, we partner with Thrizer, which submits claims on your behalf so you can receive any eligible out-of-network reimbursement as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Location
Sessions are offered in person at our Chelsea, NYC office or virtually anywhere in New York.
Sliding Scale
A limited number of sliding-scale spots are available based on financial need.
My Approach to Therapy
At the heart of my approach is the belief that healing is possible for everyone, and that therapy can be a space where you transition from simply surviving to truly thriving. Working with me is a collaborative process: we’ll explore your concerns, clarify your goals, and move at a pace that feels right for you. My priority is to bring warmth, curiosity, and compassion to the work we do together as I understand from personal experience that saying yes to therapy can be one of the hardest first steps. That’s why I aim to guide you through this process with both the clinical expertise of a therapist and the insight that comes from having been a client myself. It’s an honor to sit with people as they explore the deeper parts of themselves. My promise is to welcome your full, authentic self always whenever we are in the therapeutic space.
Clinically, I draw from several approaches depending on your needs. This includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps you understand and shift unhelpful thought patterns; Person-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes building a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship; Psychodynamic Therapy, which explores how past experiences may influence present struggles; and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a highly effective treatment for OCD that helps reduce anxiety through gradual, supported exposure to feared thoughts or situations. I also incorporate a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens to therapy, always honoring the ways your identity, lived experiences, and the systems around you impact your mental health. My hope is that in working together you will feel grounded in a safe and supportive space. One where you are empowered to make meaningful changes and move toward growth, healing, and self-discovery.
Credentials
Mental Health Counselor- Limited Permit
Limited Permit Number: P138018
Master of Education and Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Bilingual Latinx Mental Health - Teachers College, Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Science Studies - Marist University