My name is Ricardo and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. My work focuses on supporting people navigating eating disorders (Including ARFID), Body Dysmorphia, binging, fear of food, OCD, Tics/Tourette's and the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. These struggles can feel isolating, but they don’t have to be. I offer a warm, affirming space where you don’t have to explain or justify who you are or what you’re going through.
My approach to therapy is structured, evidence-based, and deeply collaborative. I believe that the most effective therapy combines the best available research with a genuine therapeutic relationship , one where you feel respected, understood, and actively involved in your own care. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, but I do believe in using treatments that have been rigorously studied and proven to work for the specific challenges you're facing.
For OCD, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) which is the gold-standard treatment and which involves gradually and systematically facing feared situations while resisting compulsions, helping you break the cycle that keeps OCD in control. For ARFID, I use CBT-AR, a structured cognitive-behavioral approach tailored specifically to avoidant and restrictive eating patterns. For tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome, I use Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), which builds awareness and develops competing responses to reduce tic frequency and interference.
Across all of my work, I bring a culturally affirming lens, one that is attentive to identity, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity because I believe effective therapy has to meet you where you are as a whole person. Sessions are conducted via telehealth, which means you can access specialized, high-quality care from the comfort of your own home, wherever you are in New York, New Jersey, or Massachusetts.
Your first session with me is a chance for us to get to know each other and for me to get a clear picture of what's been going on for you. I'll ask questions about your current concerns, your history, and what's brought you to therapy at this particular moment. If you're coming in for OCD, we'll talk about the types of thoughts or compulsions you're experiencing, how long they've been showing up, and how much they've been interfering with your daily life. If you're seeking support for ARFID or a tic disorder, I'll want to understand the full picture of what you're eating, what's driving the avoidance, or how the tics are showing up and affecting your functioning.
I also take time in the first session to learn about you as a whole person , your identity, your values, your cultural background, and what matters most to you, because that context shapes everything about how we'll work together. By the end of our first meeting, you'll have a better sense of whether I'm the right fit, and I'll typically be able to share some initial thoughts about what treatment might look like moving forward. My goal is for you to leave that first session feeling heard, oriented, and hopeful , not overwhelmed.
