Mayra Penaloza

Hi, my name is Mayra. I've been in the field of mental health since 2016, I'm bilingual I speak English and Spanish. I enjoy working with teens ages 12 and up, young adults, adults, and seniors.

My professional experience spans a wide range of settings, including foster care, hospice, and community based services. I have supported foster youth, families, and older adults through life transitions, grief, and loss. I also have experience providing bereavement services and helping individuals and families cope with end-of-life concerns/wishes.

I am passionate about creating a supportive and compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and solution focused. I believe clients are the experts of their own lives, and therapy should help uncover strengths and solutions that already exist.

I utilize evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused therapy, Insight Oriented Therapy, Strength Based Therapy and Brainspotting. CBT and solution focused help reframe negative thinking patterns. Brainspotting helps create new neuro-networks which facilitates the healing process. Brainspotting is another modality I have been integrating in, where you look affects how you feel .

Rather than staying stuck in the problem, we focus on what’s working, set clear goals, and build practical tools to support change.

Lastly, therapy is a partnership, we will move at a pace that feels comfortable, while working towards meaningful and lasting progress.

Clients often share that they feel heard, supported, and are more at ease during our first session. It’s completely normal to feel nervous or feel shy at the beginning, and many clients find that those nerves start to settle in within the first 10–15 minutes as we talk and get comfortable with one another. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel heard, understood, and free to be yourself.