Jorge Arroyo Raya

I am a bilingual counselor who provides therapy in both English and Spanish. I earned a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus. My professional experience has allowed me to support children, adolescents, adults, and families in school, outpatient, residential, community, and acute psychiatric settings. I provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, mental health assessments, parent support, and collaboration with teachers and special education teams. I have also worked at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center in admissions, adults Co-occurring patients, and with children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric crises and significant emotional or behavioral concerns. My areas of experience include anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional and behavioral regulation, ADHD-related concerns, family conflict, academic stress, life transitions, substance use, co-occurring mental health conditions, self-esteem, anger management, and relationship difficulties. I have extensive experience helping clients during periods of crisis, including concerns related to self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and severe emotional distress. I understand that beginning therapy can feel uncomfortable or uncertain. My goal is to provide a respectful and culturally responsive environment where clients feel heard, supported, and understood without judgment.

My approach to therapy is person-centered, trauma-informed, collaborative, and practical. I believe clients are the experts on their own experiences, and my role is to help them better understand their emotions, recognize patterns, build upon their strengths, and develop healthier ways to respond to challenges. I frequently incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, solution-focused strategies, mindfulness, emotional-regulation techniques, and coping-skills development. With children and adolescents, I adapt therapy to their developmental level by using interactive activities, visual tools, games, videos, creative exercises, and age-appropriate conversations. I also involve parents or caregivers when clinically appropriate so that progress can be reinforced outside of therapy. I do not believe that one therapeutic approach works for everyone. Treatment is individualized according to each client’s needs, culture, personality, strengths, and goals. Some sessions may focus on exploring past experiences and understanding the roots of current difficulties, while others may emphasize immediate problem-solving, communication skills, emotional regulation, or specific steps the client can practice between sessions. My goal is to create a balance between emotional support and meaningful change. I want clients to feel accepted as they are while also feeling appropriately challenged and encouraged to move toward the life they want.

During our first session, I will focus on getting to know you as a person—not simply as a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. We will discuss what brought you to therapy, the concerns affecting you most, your personal and family background, your strengths, and what you hope to accomplish through counseling. I will explain the therapy process, confidentiality, and its limits, and I will give you opportunities to ask questions or express any concerns about treatment. We may also discuss previous counseling experiences, current support systems, important relationships, school or work concerns, coping strategies, and any immediate safety or mental health needs. You will not be expected to share everything during the first meeting. We will move at a pace that feels safe and manageable while beginning to identify your priorities and possible treatment goals. For children and adolescents, the first session may include time with the parent or caregiver, time with the child individually, or a combination of both, depending on the child’s age and needs. By the end of the session, my goal is for you to feel heard, respected, and clearer about how we can work together. We will begin developing a personalized plan that reflects your needs, strengths, and goals for therapy.