At a glance
Who Am I?
Hi there! My name is Mayra (pronounced “My-Rah,” she/her), a therapist who works with teens and adults. I’m honored to work with people who are curious and willing to self-reflect and cultivate unconditional self-love. On this journey toward healing, you are the captain and I’m here to support you as we navigate obstacles, challenge beliefs that no longer serve you, understand your triggers, and find more balance. Together we can also explore how family, culture, and the systems around us have shaped how you see yourself and the world.
I specialize in working with:
- Teens with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism with lower support needs
- Children of immigrants and first-generation individuals
- Mi gente Latina, and other people of color looking for a brave, culturally affirming space
- People exploring identity and adapting to confusing life transitions
- Anyone who’s ever been handed the “caretaker” or “therapist friend” title
How I help
I’ve made it my goal to create a brave, non-judgmental space where you can feel empowered and safe being vulnerable. I do my best to live the social work core values: service, social justice, dignity, and advocacy. I may not be a “yes-man,” but I promise to challenge you compassionately and stand by you through successes and hardships. I want our relationship to model secure attachment through healthy boundaries, honest communication, and emotion-regulation skills. My approaches include CBT, motivational interviewing, DBT, and mindfulness and somatic work, so we can truly feel and process, not just intellectualize. I often help people with anxiety and offer therapy in Spanish.
What a session with me is like
There’s no requirement for how you show up. Whether you’re having the best week of your life or everything feels like it’s falling apart, you’re welcome exactly as you are. Come in your PJs and slippers, bring a blanket or plushie, come in laughing or crying, this is your space. I’ll follow your lead and meet you where you are while keeping your goals in mind. Some sessions we’ll learn coping skills, others we’ll process emotions, explore relationships, or make sense of what’s going on in your life, and I hope you leave each one feeling heard and more connected to yourself.
What I believe
You are worthy of healing, love, belonging, and compassion exactly as you are. Our experiences, relationships, culture, and larger systems all shape how we see ourselves and the world. I believe healing is nonlinear, and that self-acceptance and growth can exist at the same time.
A little more about me
Outside of work I love lifting, hiking, traveling, journaling, podcasts and music, trying new foods, reading fantasy, learning about different cultures, and dancing. I’m a self-proclaimed coffee-and-tea-holic and I show off my AMC A-List membership any chance I get. In virtual sessions you might catch my two kitties, Nala and Simba. My guilty pleasures are anything creepy, spooky, or mysterious (Halloween is my favorite holiday), so bring all your weirdness with you.
A few common questions
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Sauganash office.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes, I offer therapy in English and Spanish.
What do you help with most?
Anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism (lower support needs) in teens, identity, first-gen and immigrant-family experiences, and life transitions.
What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO, Optum/United, and BCBS Endeavor HMO (Northshore), with Aetna coming soon.
- AetnaBCBS HMO NorthshoreBCBS PPOOptum/United
