Dr. Mirelise Cartagena, PsyD

As a therapist, I am deeply passionate about guiding others on their journey toward healing. I believe that building a strong therapeutic alliance is essential to achieving meaningful results in treatment. One of my main objectives is to establish a trusting, collaborative relationship to effectively work with clients to meet their goals. My approach to therapy is active and grounded mostly in the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model, which focuses on aligning actions with personal values and committing to behaviors that bring us closer to what we care about. I also emphasize teaching practical techniques, encouraging clients to engage in work outside of sessions. I believe therapy works best when both my and client goals are clear and intentional with periodic re-evaluation of progress throughout the process. I tailor therapy to the unique needs of each client, and I prioritize a collaborative discussion of goals, cultural considerations, and preferences. While I tend to be more structured in my approach, I am flexible and can adjust depending on the client’s individual style. I work with a variety of issues, including but not limited to generalized anxiety, social anxiety, relationship anxiety (with a focus on attachment theory), obsessive-compulsive disorder, depressive symptoms, stress, and emotion regulation difficulties. I believe in exploring past experiences briefly to gain a deeper understanding of current challenges so that we can address them more effectively. Ultimately, my aim is to empower clients by offering psychoeducation, support, validation, and the tools necessary to live fulfilling lives.”