Born in Azogues, Ecuador, Paola immigrated to New York City with her mother at the age of 4. Although not a native New Yorker by birth, she has called NYC home since 2005 and considers herself a true New Yorker at heart. Paola earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Student and Personal Counseling, from Queens College, where she was a recipient of the National Scholarship The DreamUS. She is currently a graduate student at Brooklyn College, pursuing her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. As part of her
training, Paola has completed a practicum at the Brooklyn College Personal Counseling Center, where she conducted intake evaluations and crisis interventions with students.

Paola’s therapeutic approach is psychodynamic with an emphasis on mindfulness. She helps clients explore past experiences, navigate emotions, and develop awareness of unconscious patterns. With experience in crisis intervention, Paola provides effective support in challenging moments. Paola has had the privilege of working with diverse populations, including students at
Queens College, where she focused on goal-oriented therapy and de-escalation techniques. She has also worked in homeless shelters throughout NYC, providing translation services and collaborating with medical and counseling teams on case management.

Paola is particularly interested in trauma-focused care and integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles with a psychodynamic approach. As a Spanish speaker with professional working proficiency, Paola is committed to making mental health care accessible to immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities.

Outside of her clinical work, Paola enjoys practicing yoga and dance as ways to connect with her body and express herself beyond words. She loves the cultural diversity of NYC and the opportunity to experience different worlds within a single city. She is also a self-proclaimed iced latte connoisseur, enjoying a good cup in any season!