About Me

I’m a bicultural psychologist who immigrated from Peru nearly 20 years ago. What began as a year-long internship after college turned into something much more—I didn’t expect that by the end of that year, Washington, DC would feel like home. Living in a diverse, international city was both personally and professionally transformative. Through my early clinical work here, I developed a deep passion for understanding individual identity, helping people through life transitions, and guiding others toward greater self-acceptance and emotional growth.

 

My personal journey has shaped how I understand people and how I show up as a psychologist. Growing up in a country marked by political unrest, navigating life as an immigrant, and coming out as a gay man after being raised in a conservative culture have all deepened my appreciation for the profound ways our environments impact our emotional lives. These experiences, alongside my clinical training, give me a unique ability to support others in honoring their true selves.

 

My Approach

I believe that meaningful therapy is built on a foundation of empathy, trust, and collaboration. My goal is to offer a safe, attuned, and engaging space where you feel seen and understood. I work primarily from a psychodynamic and emotion-focused perspective and draw from multiple theoretical orientations to tailor our work to your needs. Whether you’re healing from trauma, navigating identity questions, or seeking deeper emotional connection, we will work together to create lasting and meaningful change.

 

My Background

I earned my Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from The George Washington University and completed my pre-doctoral internship at NYU/Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. I also have advanced training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFCT)—modalities that emphasize emotional healing through connection and the transformation of core relational patterns.

 

Over the past two decades, I’ve worked with adults in a variety of settings, including:

  • Outpatient mental health clinics (Providence Hospital, DC, Latin American Youth Center)

  • Inpatient hospital units (Bellevue Hospital Center, NY, Providence Hospital, DC)

  • Psychiatric emergency rooms (Bellevue Hospital Center, NY and Fairfax County Mental Health Services, VA)

  • University counseling centers (George Washington University Counseling Center and the University of the District of Columbia)

  • Community-based organizations (Whitman Walker Clinic, DC)

  • Private practice

 

These diverse experiences have given me a deep understanding of the complexity of human emotion and behavior, and the many ways healing can unfold.