About Me
Introduction
Welcome to Lumina Psychology and Education Services. I chose the name “Lumina” because it evokes the idea of illumination, bringing something to light or clearer view, a guiding path. I believe each person already carries strengths, insight, and the capacity for growth, even when those things can be difficult to recognize during challenging periods of life. Therapy can provide the space to slow down, look more closely, and see yourself and your experiences with greater clarity, reingite the light within you. My role is not to give you all the answers, but to help you uncover what is already within you and use that understanding to move forward with greater intention.
I work with adolescents and adults who are open to exploring their experiences and engaging in meaningful change. Many clients come to therapy feeling anxious, stuck, or unsure of their next steps, and are looking for a space to better understand themselves and move toward greater clarity and direction.
Therapeutic Approach
My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in practical application. I aim to create a space where you feel heard, seen, and validated, while also engaging in meaningful work that leads to deeper insight and usable strategies in daily life. I believe therapy involves both understanding what we think and feel and exploring what we can do with that understanding, so I balance deeper exploration with practical tools and action. I will meet you with compassion and acceptance, but I will also challenge you when I believe it can help you grow, because sometimes what we need is not simply reassurance, but a different perspective, an honest question, or a gentle push forward.
I draw from evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existential Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, while also integrating Psychodynamic perspectives when helpful. In practice, this means we may explore the patterns and experiences that have shaped you, examine the stories you’ve come to believe about yourself, and clarify what matters most to you and the kind of life you want to build. We’ll use that understanding to identify what is within your control and find practical ways to move forward, even when life feels uncertain or difficult. This allows for both structure and flexibility, adapting our work to what is most relevant for you in the moment.
I value authenticity in the therapeutic relationship and aim to show up as a real person, not simply as a professional who listens from the sidelines. I’ll be engaged in the conversation with you, sharing observations, asking thoughtful questions, and challenging you when it may help. My hope is that therapy feels like a genuine human relationship where we can think deeply, be honest with one another, and do meaningful work together.
Professional Background
I am a dually licensed clinical and school psychologist with a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. My work integrates clinical practice, psychological assessment, and educational systems consultation, allowing me to support individuals across the lifespan in understanding how they think, learn, and function across different environments.
My experience spans clinical therapy settings, school-based practice, psychological and psychoeducational assessment, and university-level teaching and supervision. Across these roles, I have developed expertise in individual therapy, diagnostic and psychoeducational evaluation, and systems-level consultation, with a focus on translating complex psychological and educational information into clear, practical recommendations that support meaningful change.
A central part of my work involves helping bridge clinical understanding with real-world application. This includes providing therapy, conducting comprehensive evaluations, and working with clients, families, and school teams to make sense of assessment findings, access appropriate supports, and implement interventions that are both practical and sustainable.
I regularly collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and have experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults navigating a range of clinical, educational, and life transitions. This includes individuals adjusting to major life changes, including veterans and service members transitioning between military and civilian life, where questions of identity, structure, and functioning often intersect with mental health and adjustment.
Personal Background & Cultural Identity
I was raised in Southern California in a Mexican-American household with immigrant parents. Growing up navigating multiple cultural expectations shaped how I understand identity, belonging, and the ways people move between different social and cultural worlds. It also informs how I approach clinical work, particularly when supporting individuals and families who are reflecting on culture, roles, and what it means to define a life that feels authentic to them.
Much of my work is informed by an understanding of that “in-between” experience, how people can feel shaped by multiple influences at once, and how they make meaning from those overlapping identities. I am especially interested in helping clients explore what they want to carry forward from their background and what expectations they may want to re-examine or release in order to live in a way that feels more aligned and intentional.
I also played soccer through college, and staying active has remained an important part of my life. Movement, curiosity, and engagement outside of work have always been important to my overall balance and perspective.
Before entering the field of psychology, I served in the United States Marine Corps. That experience exposed me to structure, discipline, and high-pressure environments, as well as to the ways people respond differently to challenge, uncertainty, and transition. It also played a role in shaping my understanding of resilience and adaptability, and ultimately contributed to my decision to pursue graduate training in psychology.
Across these experiences, a consistent theme has been an interest in how people adapt, make meaning, and move forward through complex or changing circumstances. This perspective continues to inform how I show up in my work: grounded, attentive to context, and focused on helping people build clarity and direction in ways that feel realistic and sustainable.