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FAQs
How do you know I am the right therapist for you? Here are some commonly asked questions that can help you get to know me and my practice.
What’s your approach?
I am a person-centered and recovery-oriented therapist with a focus on getting results. What does this mean? At the initial interview, I will take note of what you feel are the challenging and/or urgent areas in your life—for example, if you were feeling so anxious that it was nearly impossible to perform well at your job. Then, we will assess these areas and design practical strategies to compensate for them as we work on long-term solutions for your challenges.
What can I expect in a session?
The session will happen at your pace. Together, we will set out what your goals are, so that throughout future sessions we can keep an eye on these goals and be sure you are getting the results you are looking for. However, in addition to working on the longer-term goals, we will also leave room to discuss your more immediate day-to-day challenges as they arise.
What are your qualifications?
I obtained my degree as a psychologist at the Catholic University in Venezuela. When I relocated to the United States, I went back to school to study mental health counseling. Since then, I have enrolled in over 60 supplemental educational experiences (including courses, seminars, and training sessions) in order to keep up-to-date in the field. I am fully trained in neurofeedback and E.M.D.R. (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), as well as other areas of interest such as Gender Equity and Human Resources planning and development.
How long have you been practicing?
I completed my psychology degree 23 years ago, and earned my degree as a mental health counselor 8 years ago.
" If you feel that recovering and dealing with the trauma is like a full-time job, I can help. If you feel you would like to be in control of your emotional responses, I can help. If you feel you don't know who to turn to explain what happened to you in a way that is relatable and understable, I can help. If you feel you don’t know who to turn to explain what happened, I can help."
-Carlina Leon
What licenses and certifications do you have and which professional organizations do you belong to?
I am a licensed psychologist with the ability to practice in Venezuela, and a licensed mental health counselor in New York State. I have also been certified as a Rape Crisis Counselor by the New York Department of Health. I am a member of the American Counseling Association and an Associate Member of the American Psychological Association. I have a certificate in Gender, Social, and Socio-Cultural Intervention.
How many clients have you had with similar circumstances to my own? What’s your experience working with adults who were abused/molested as a child?
This is my area of expertise. I have worked with many survivors of child abuse.
What sort of special training have you had in trauma-informed treatment?
I have experience in assessment and intervention during different kinds of massive disasters. I worked in my native country of Venezuela during the devastating floods in 1999 when over 7,000 people died and 250,000 lost their homes and needed relocation to shelters. Additionally, as a team member of the NYU/Bellevue Hospital of NYC, I assisted survivors and families of the victims from the World Trade Center and Flight 587 tragedies in 2001. Prior to this, I was trained by the USA Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
What if I am not a survivor of a crime?
That’s OK. However, my skills are most useful in dealing with symptoms related to PTSD, and so if your challenges are in other specialized areas (such as eating disorders), I may not be the best choice for your needs. Many people have expressed concerns to me that if they haven’t experienced severe abuse or trauma, their problems are not a big deal, or even that they shouldn’t feel the way they feel because they “didn’t have it hard.” My response to these comments is that every pain is legitimate. You don’t need to qualify to be in therapy. You just need to be willing and able to face your challenges.
Can we have a short consultation to help me decide if you are the right fit for me?
We can have a consult in a session. At the moment, I don’t do 15-minute consults because I’ve found that this is not enough time to assess your situation and whether I will be a good fit for you.
“Psychological and emotional wellness is an ongoing process for everyone.”
― C. Kennedy, Ómorphi
What are your strengths and limitations as a counselor?
My best work is done with patients in need of crisis intervention, or those with difficulty compensating for the impact of trauma on their daily lives.
What is your general philosophy and approach to helping? Are you more directive or more guiding?
It depends on the goal of the session. If there is a crisis, I tend to be more directive. If not, I work on helping the patient reach answers on their own.
How often do you seek peer consultation?
Bi-weekly.
How long do you think a client needs to be in therapy?
It really depends on the challenges we are looking to tackle and the amount of work put into therapy on your end, as well as other potential variables that might require extra attention. Most of the time, patients graduate once they have reached their goals.
How often would you anticipate seeing me?
Weekly. However, when patients are close to graduating from therapy, we generally agree to extend the time between sessions. Initially, bi-weekly, and then monthly.
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN.”
— Matt Haig
How do you set up counseling goals? What are they like? What is a success for you?
These are decisions we make together.
What is a typical session like?
We will talk about the challenges for that day. We either start working on these more immediate challenges, or the long-term goals. Many times, we come to an agreement where we distribute the time between these two areas.
How long are the sessions?
45 minutes.
What kind of homework/reading do you give patients?
Homework is not common in my practice. But when there is homework, it is generally about reflection, self-awareness, and tracking of behaviors and responses.
How do I prepare for my first session?
There is no right way to be in therapy. Just come ready to offer and share what you believe you are ready to share. In session, we will figure this out together.
What if I need to cancel two or more sessions in a row?
If there are two cancelations in a row, treatment will be discontinued unless there are circumstances beyond your control.
What’s your policy regarding same-day cancelation?
Sessions will need to be fully refunded out of pocket, even if you are paying with your insurance. This is because I can’t charge the insurance since technically there was no session, as it would be considered insurance fraud. Beyond this, I don’t work well when my time is not being valued or respected.
Are you able to prescribe medication?
No. Specialists with the professional capacity to prescribe psychiatric medication are medical doctors like psychiatrists, neurologists, your Primary Care Physician (PCP), and Nurse Practitioners.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, I do take some insurance. Please take a look at the list of those accepted.
Is therapy confidential?
Absolutely. However, given that the sessions are remote, you would have to take care to ensure you are in a private setting.
Some additional topics and questions can be answered in the consent forms, once/if you decide to initiate therapy.
Let me be your proverbial big sister.
I am all about results for your life and finding the most effective tools and strategies to help you thrive, and I am here to create a treatment protocol designed UNIQUELY for you. It’s time for you and the world to see the real you, not the you that you made up to feel and be safe.
Your voice deserves to be heard.
People talk . . .
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