M. Fernanda Rodriguez

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I believe that the most powerful path to growth begins with a genuine, trusting relationship between us. My goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where you feel truly empowered to navigate life's challenges. I am deeply passionate about normalizing mental health conversations and improving accessibility to quality care for all.

I integrate a diverse and comprehensive set of therapeutic tools to tailor our work specifically to your needs. This includes evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Trauma-Informed Care. I also draw from specialized, creative approaches such as StoryPlay, Play Therapy, Jungian principles, and certifications like DIR Floortime and PEERS.

The first session is all about connection and clarity. It's a low-pressure space where we can get to know each other and lay the groundwork for our work together.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Building Rapport: We'll spend time simply chatting and connecting. My primary goal is for you to feel comfortable, heard, and safe. This session is where we start building the trusting relationship that is essential for therapy to succeed.
• Exploring Your Goals: We'll explore what brought you in and begin to outline what you hope to achieve. Think of these as your initial destinations. We'll discuss what empowerment and growth look like for you.
• Identifying What's Not Working: We'll talk about the specific challenges you're facing and what's currently feeling stuck or out of balance. This isn't about deep diving into trauma yet—it's about getting a clear snapshot of your present experience.
• Introducing the Wheel of Balance: We may spend a few minutes introducing the Wheel of Balance concept. This is a simple, visual way to explore how different areas of your life (work, relationships, health, etc.) are currently weighted. If appropriate, we may assign a small, manageable homework task based on this, focusing on one small shift you can try before our next meeting.

By the end of this session, you should have a clear sense of what therapy with me feels like and a first step toward your goals.