Anavel De Los Santos, Intern

I became the therapist I needed and didn’t have.

During one of the hardest times in my life, I found myself in therapy feeling more invisible than when I’d walked in. My therapist didn’t see me, didn’t validate my experience, and somehow made me feel smaller in a space that was supposed to help me grow. I left those sessions feeling like my voice had been taken away all over again.

That experience became my calling. I decided to become a therapist who would create genuine warmth and safety, who would validate every struggle and every story, and who would give clients back their voice instead of silencing it.

My approach is different because I believe therapy should feel like a dinner party where you can wear whatever you want and have open, honest conversations. No dress code, no rigid manners – just a space to enjoy connection with someone who’s genuinely interested in your story.

I don’t believe you need a “reason” to be in therapy. I think requiring people to justify their presence creates hesitancy and invalidates their experiences before we even begin. Whether you’re in crisis or just curious about yourself, you’re welcome in my therapy room.

I work primarily with young adults who struggle to process their emotions and aren’t sure where to begin. I let my clients lead our sessions because I believe in their autonomy and empowerment. During difficult conversations, I give them complete choice about whether to continue or shift to something else, always checking in with where their emotions are.

One breakthrough moment I’ll never forget involved helping a client grieve the loss of a friendship. They wanted to stop caring about this person, but I used grief counseling principles to validate that losing someone you care about – even when they’re still alive – is a real loss that deserves to be mourned. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is give people permission to feel what they’re already feeling.

Because of my love for movement and fitness, I encourage clients to move their bodies however feels good – whether that’s working out, dancing, or just going for a walk. Our bodies hold so much of our emotions, and movement can be incredibly healing.

Clients often tell me that working with me creates a sense of peace and warmth, and they leave sessions feeling decompressed with less weight on their shoulders. That’s exactly what I hope for – that everyone gets to experience the validation and safety I was looking for all those years ago.