Evangelina Gonzalez-Dufresne

Taking the first step toward therapy takes courage and you deserve a therapist who feels like the right fit. I help adults, college students, and emerging adults work through anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, life transitions, and relationship challenges.

My office is a space where you're heard, respected, and never judged. I've worked with clients facing trauma, substance use, serious mental health conditions, and housing instability, and that's taught me everyone deserves compassionate, high-quality care and a real shot at the life they want.

I care about social justice and know your environment and relationships shape your well-being, so I meet you where you are and help you build on your strengths toward the life you're after.

Outside the office: baking, hiking, reading fiction, traveling, and hanging out with my cat, Zippy.

I tailor each session to you, drawing on CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed care. CBT helps shift unhelpful thought patterns; Motivational Interviewing builds confidence to change; Solution-Focused Therapy keeps us grounded in your strengths and next steps; trauma-informed care keeps every session safe and empowering.

I've used this blend with clients facing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and major life transitions. I've learned there's no one-size-fits-all fix. We'll find what works for you.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation for our work together. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, your strengths, and what you hope to gain from the experience. I'll also explain how I work and answer any questions you may have about therapy.

There is no pressure to share everything during the first session. You are always in control of what you choose to discuss, and we will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My goal is to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you feel supported and heard. By the end of our first meeting, we'll begin identifying goals and discussing what you'd like our work together to focus on, so you can leave with a clearer understanding of the process and what to expect moving forward.