Welcome to my profile, my name is Iraida and I am a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I obtained my Master in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix in Puerto Rico. I have over 16 years of professional experience working with anger management, trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence, self-harm behaviors, suicide ideations, depression, stress and anxiety, grief and loss, family, relationship concerns, and mood disorders among others. I have experience working in different settings such as community centers, outpatient mental health clinics, shelters, home-based, the school system, and the health department. I am also a Certified Grief Informed Professional, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, EMDR therapist.
I utilize different therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Client-centered, and systemic theories. I have also facilitated numerous groups including behavior groups, anger management, parenting skills, and self-esteem to name a few.
I like to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. That is one of the most important steps in this process; to build the relationship between therapist-client. I work with my client in partnership to determine which therapeutic approach and techniques better suit them and to explore new alternatives and solutions that work for them individually. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy is often the hardest part of the process and I am proud of you for getting started!
I check messages daily and make every effort to respond within 24h excluding holidays and vacations. I am looking forward to getting to know you.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Post-traumatic stress, Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Somatization, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
FL LMFT MT4253
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Iraida Espada. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I love my sessions with Iraida!
Written on Oct 11, 2024 after therapy with Iraida for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
She makes me feel safe to talk about things I don’t feel safe to discuss with others.
Written on Jan 25, 2024 after therapy with Iraida for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and anger management
Usually, I am the one who has been in the role of saving others. But this time Ms. Espada was one of the people that helped me. Everyone is going through something unique that has, one way or another, converged their life to this page. Ms. Espada once said that it was not easy what had happened in my life, which gave me validity that there was some sense into why I felt the way I did. I had seen two other therapists who seemed rather apathetic or unable to imagine what had happened. Ms. Espada helped alleviate anxiety through some techniques or acknowledging that doing something, such as wishing someone a happy birthday, was not as bad as others in my group made it seem.
Written on Jan 22, 2024 after therapy with Iraida for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Iraida is very helpful, she takes time to listen and lets me talk about what I need to when I’m ready. She’s also very patient.
Written on Jan 04, 2024 after therapy with Iraida for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Iraida Espada is a great listener and offers helpful suggestions. Her encouragement and understanding have been very helpful.
Written on Dec 18, 2022 after therapy with Iraida for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, anger management, and coping with life changes
Iraida is very kind, professional, and provided me with excellent insight into my situations I brought to her. She provided me with articles and worksheets to continue to help away from our sessions. Highly recommend her!
Written on Nov 29, 2022 after therapy with Iraida for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd