Dr. Julissa Pagan Pena

I’m Dr. Julissa M. Pagán Peña, bilingual and bicultural clinician born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During my adolescent years I discovered my interest and future passion for serving people experiencing emotional distress and who need guidance and support to find answers for their current mental health struggles.

In my clinical practice I integrate systemic, psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and cognitive-behavioral approaches in where the therapeutic relationship is highly collaborative. I also integrate a social justice lense in order to understand the person’s current struggles from an anti-oppressive, decolonizing approach and to further facilitate healing from abusive systems.

My areas of focus in therapy are depression, anxiety, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), grief and loss, stress reduction, behavioral problems, sexual trauma, ADHD, and relational issues. I enjoy incorporating various techniques such as expressive art, therapeutic play, mindfulness and self-compassionate strategies, and sensory-based activities.